Hawaii Army soldier Dewayne Johnson II will spend over two decades behind bars after brutally murdering his pregnant wife with a machete and attempting to cover up the crime by dismembering her body.
At a Glance
- Pfc. Dewayne Johnson II received a 23-year prison sentence for killing his pregnant wife Mischa and their unborn child
- Johnson admitted to striking his wife with a machete, dismembering her body, and disposing of remains in trash bags
- He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice, and providing false official statements
- After the murder, Johnson falsely reported his wife missing and even participated in search efforts
- The case raises serious concerns about mental health resources available to military personnel
Details of the Horrific Crime
The murder occurred on July 12, 2024, following a heated argument between Pfc. Dewayne Johnson II and his pregnant wife Mischa. According to court records and military authorities, Johnson struck his wife with a machete in their Hawaii residence. In an attempt to dispose of evidence, he first tried to dismember the body with the machete before later using a chainsaw.
He then placed the remains in trash bags, which were subsequently incinerated at a local refuse center, effectively destroying vital evidence that would have helped investigators determine the full extent of the crime.
After committing the murder, Johnson engaged in an elaborate cover-up. He falsely reported his wife missing to authorities and even participated in search efforts organized to find her. This deception led to extensive and ultimately futile searches by Army units, disrupting military training and readiness. Forensic investigators later discovered blood and DNA evidence at the family’s home that led to Johnson’s arrest in August 2024, more than a month after the crime took place.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Johnson ultimately pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice, and providing false official statements. As part of a plea agreement, additional charges of possession and distribution of child pornography were dropped. Military Judge Rebecca Farrell sentenced Johnson to the maximum penalty of 23 years in military prison, citing what she described as the “particularly aggravating facts” of the case, including the vulnerability of the pregnant victim and the gruesome nature of the crime.
“While no amount of confinement will ever be able to truly ease the pain of the loss of Ms. Johnson and her unborn child for her family and friends, it is my hope that Pfc. Johnson’s admissions of guilt and the information he provided as part of the plea agreement can provide some element of closure and finality for the family and all stakeholders,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas Hurd.
During sentencing, evidence emerged that compounded the heinous nature of Johnson’s actions. Prosecution revealed he had impersonated his wife through text messages and social media to distance her family and delay any suspicion of foul play. Army Criminal Investigation Division agents testified that Johnson had been messaging women on dating apps shortly after the murder and was planning a future with another woman while participating in search efforts for his wife.
Aftermath and Implications
Johnson will serve his sentence at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and will receive a dishonorable discharge from the Army upon completion of his prison term. The case has prompted serious questions about the adequacy of mental health screening and support services within military ranks. While nothing can justify the horrific crime, the incident highlights potential gaps in identifying and addressing severe mental health issues among service members before they escalate to violence.
“My wife didn’t deserve that. She wasn’t trash. I hate myself for what I did, every day,” Johnson said during the sentencing hearing. “I love Mischa and my child more than myself. They both deserved so much more. I failed as a husband. I failed as a father and I failed as a man… I’ll forever be sorry.”
Family members from both sides testified during the proceedings. Mischa’s relatives spoke of their immeasurable grief and the devastating impact of losing both her and the unborn child. Johnson’s family expressed disbelief, describing him as previously supportive and raised in a faith-based environment. The stark contrast between these testimonies underscores the complex and often hidden nature of domestic violence issues that can affect military families, sometimes with tragic consequences.
