Breakthrough Arrest in Mikeona Johnson Murder Case After Nearly Four Years
Los Angeles, CA— In a significant development, 49-year-old Charles Philips has been apprehended and charged in connection with the murder of Mikeona Johnson, a case that had remained unsolved for almost four years. Johnson, a young mother of two, went missing during the pandemic in 2020, prompting a relentless search by her family.
The initial disappearance occurred when Johnson, then 23, was last seen on her way to get food for her family from a local burger stand near Western Avenue and 82nd Street. Subsequently, her family reported her missing, initiating a thorough search effort in the South Central area.
Tragically, just days later, Johnson’s lifeless body was discovered in her vehicle, strategically parked in front of an elementary school in South Central – an area that had already been combed through by her family during their search. The family, particularly Johnson’s mother, expressed firm convictions that her partner and the father of one of her daughters, Charles Philips, was responsible for her untimely demise.
Read More: LAPD closes death investigation of Mikeona Johnson, 23-year-old mother who went missing
Despite these suspicions, law enforcement initially failed to make an arrest, and the investigation into Johnson’s death was abruptly closed merely six months after her murder. Undeterred, her family, led by her mother and sister, continued to tirelessly advocate for justice, ensuring that Johnson’s story remained in the public eye.
The breakthrough in the case finally came on February 15, when Charles Philips was arrested and charged. Currently held without bail, Philips now faces legal proceedings in connection with the long-pending murder case. The arrest offers a glimmer of closure for Johnson’s grieving family and underscores the importance of perseverance in seeking justice for victims of unsolved crimes especially for Black women and girls in Los Angeles County.
