Background: News footage of the scene in Milwaukee, Wis., on Jan. 5 (WISN). Inset: Gladys Johnson (GoFundMe).
As reported by WISN, an ABC affiliate, Milwaukee police have arrested a 21-year-old man linked to the death of Gladys Johnson, aged 22, whose lifeless body was discovered in her residence on Monday night. While the suspect’s identity remains undisclosed pending formal charges, authorities confirm he was Johnson’s estranged boyfriend and the father of her 3-year-old daughter and unborn son. Despite having no criminal record in Wisconsin, the couple was known to have a history of domestic violence.
Police responded to a call at Johnson’s Milwaukee home around 11:30 p.m. Monday. Michelle Johnson, Gladys’s mother, recounted to the media that she detected smoke inside the house. Speaking to Fox affiliate WITI, she alleged that her daughter’s boyfriend obstructed her from entering Gladys’s bedroom, reportedly stating, “No, you are not getting in here,” before allegedly brandishing a firearm at Michelle’s other daughter and fleeing the scene.
Michelle Johnson managed to enter the bedroom, extinguish the fire, and rescue her unresponsive daughter from the blaze.
Gladys Johnson was pronounced dead on-site by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner. Although the exact cause of death was not detailed, the medical examiner indicated she “may have sustained traumatic injuries following an assault from her significant other.” Her death has been officially classified as a homicide.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner pronounced Gladys Johnson dead at the scene. A cause of death was not provided, but the medical examiner stated that she “may have sustained traumatic injuries following an assault from her significant other.” Her death was ruled a homicide.
Gladys Johnson’s family members said she was five months pregnant when she was killed. Authorities said the couple’s 3-year-old daughter may have witnessed what happened to her mother.
Police said the suspect was found and arrested less than 30 minutes after Gladys Johnson’s mother called 911. He faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and arson. He is currently in custody.
