PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A man from Portage accused in the double murder of his parents has been found competent to stand trial.
According to a report from MLive Tuesday, 28-year-old Nicholas Johnson will now stand trial in the murder of his parents, Gary and Laura Johnson.
Gary and Laura Johnson – Undated courtesy via WOOD-TV
Previously, murder charges had been issued against Nicholas Johnson last February.
Originally, police had been asked to check on the couple after Gary Johnson had not logged on for work in a few days. His employer said this was unusual for him.
A search revealed signs of violence at their residence, which included blood stains, bloody sheets and a spent 9 mm bullet casing.
Police later discovered Laura Johnson’s vehicle at a Portage apartment complex, where they also found Nicholas Johnson.
Using GPS data from Laura Johnson’s vehicle, police were able to locate two bodies at the Gourdneck State Game Area. Those bodies were eventually confirmed as the missing couple.
They had both been shot with a 9 mm handgun.
Upon discovery, Nicholas Johnson was also found with items such as two phones, one of which was confirmed to be Laura Johnson’s, along with their driver’s licenses, credit cards, and other personal items.
Nicholas Johnson is facing the following charges:
- Two counts of open murder
- Two counts of possessing a firearm while committing a felony
- One count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm
In a related matter, Johnson is a person of interest in a separate case involving the disappearance of a Gobles-area teenager.
Police had searched for the teen’s body, identified as Bonifacio Pena, as recently as April 2021, but no new evidence was discovered.
This is an ongoing case and will be updated as more details become available.
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