AUGUSTA, KS – Nearly a year after the puzzling death of a 93-year-old Kansas woman in her home over Labor Day weekend in 2023, authorities have apprehended two 14-year-old girls in connection with the case. The unexpected turn of events has left the victim’s family and community in shock, with the victim’s son likening the incident to a bolt from the blue on a clear day.
The elderly woman, Joanne Johnson, lived alone in Augusta, Kansas. Her death was a brutal and calculated act, according to her family, although the motive behind the crime remains a mystery. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has confirmed the arrests of the two teenage girls from the same town, but their identities have not been disclosed due to their minor status.
The girls are currently held in separate juvenile detention facilities on charges of first-degree murder. It is yet to be determined whether they will be tried as adults, in which case their identities would be revealed. The method by which the investigators pinpointed the young suspects has not been disclosed, leaving the community in a state of unease.
The news of the arrests has left the neighborhood reeling. Holly Randol, a neighbor, expressed her devastation and shock that the alleged perpetrators were children. She described the incident as the most devastating event for their block and neighborhood.
In April, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued an executive order offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Johnson’s murder. The case involved numerous interviews, physical evidence, and multiple search warrants.
Johnson’s son expressed his disbelief that such a brutal and senseless act could occur in their peaceful neighborhood, home to a population of 9,000. He fondly remembered his mother as a person who took a genuine interest in others, remembering details about their lives, and someone he aspired to emulate.
Johnson’s obituary revealed that she was a devoted fan of Jayhawks basketball, a high school graduate of 1947, and a former secretary at Boeing. She was a mother of two sons and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, known for her deep love and dedication to her family.