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Michigan man sentenced for murdering, burying parents

Johnson pled guilty to murder chargers in October

A booking photo of Nicholas Johnson from the Kalamazoo County Jail. (Feb. 9, 2021) (WOODTV)

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A Michigan man was sentenced this week after pleading guilty to murdering his parents in 2021.

Nicholas Johnson, of Portage, was sentenced to 29 to 69 years in prison, with a minimum of 29 years before being up for parole, the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office said.

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Last month, Johnson pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, Gary and Laura Johnson. Nicholas was an only child and was the sole beneficiary of their trust, according to WOOD-TV.

Investigators say Johnson killed his parents at their home in Portage in February 2021, and buried their bodies a few miles from their home at Gourdneck State Game Area. They were found about a week later.

Investigators are also eyeing Johnson as a possible person of interest in the case of missing 17-year-old Bonifacio Pena, who was last seen in 2018.


About the Author
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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