Augusta, KS — In a case that has left a small Kansas town in disbelief, two 14-year-old girls have been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in the brutal killing of a 93-year-old woman over the Labor Day weekend.
The victim and the crime
Joanne Johnson, a 93-year-old resident of Augusta, Kansas, was found dead at her home on Robbins Street by her family. The elderly woman had lived alone and was a beloved member of the community. Investigators determined that Johnson was killed between the evening of Saturday, September 2, and the evening of Sunday, September 3.
The names of the teenage suspects have not been released due to their age, but it has been confirmed that they are from the same town as the victim. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the community, which had been waiting for justice for years.
The investigation
8 months after the killing, Johnson’s family and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly each offered $5,000 to make a $10,000 reward for any information about the people responsible.
Despite the arrests, charges have not yet been filed as the investigation continues. The family of Joanne Johnson is hopeful that the punishment will match the severity of the crime, even considering the young age of the suspects.
Tim Johnson, the victim’s son, said he has struggled to understand the shocking news that two fourteen-year-old girls allegedly murdered his mother. He described the situation as “inexplicable,” likening it to being struck by lightning on a clear day.
“This is a peaceful, tree-lined street that’s in a neighborhood in the middle of a 9,000-person town,” said Tim Johnson, struggling to comprehend the shocking news that two teenagers could allegedly be responsible for his mother’s murder.
The arrest of the two young girls has not only left the family in turmoil but has also shaken the entire community of Augusta. As the investigation continues, residents are left grappling with the unsettling reality that such a heinous act could be committed by such young individuals.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and we continue to cover the legal proceedings and community responses to this tragic event.
