A U.S. Army soldier has been formally charged with the murder of his pregnant wife, Mischa Mabeline Kaalohilani Johnson, who vanished in July 2024.
Authorities now presume that the 19-year-old woman, who was six months pregnant at the time of her disappearance, is deceased.
Private First Class Dewayne Arthur Johnson II, 28, has been charged with five offenses, including murder, intentionally causing the death of his unborn daughter, obstruction of justice, providing false statements, and child pornography-related crimes.
Mischa, last seen on July 31, 2024, at their home at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, was reported missing the following day. Johnson was arrested shortly after and placed in military confinement.
Initially charged with obstruction and making false statements, his charges were upgraded after further investigation.
Though Mischa’s body has not been found, the Army is continuing its investigation.
The public was previously offered a $10,000 reward for any information that might assist in finding her, though her family has since been forced to endure months of uncertainty.
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“I feel betrayed,” Mischa’s sister, Mariana Tapiz, told reporters. “We accepted him into our family, and now we’re left with this.”
The family has expressed relief that charges have been formally filed, though they continue to wait for the next steps in the military legal process.
Johnson, who is assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, has waived his right to a preliminary hearing. His case will proceed to a military judge for further proceedings, including the trial. Meanwhile, Mischa’s family is holding onto hope for justice.
The charges come with severe penalties if Johnson is convicted. Legal experts have pointed out that while the murder charge might be challenging without a body, the charges relating to child pornography are expected to be easier to prove.
“We can’t have Mischa, but at least we can make sure he stays in jail,” Mischa’s sister said.
