Missing woman’s remains positively identified almost 1 year after she disappeared in Houston
02/28/2023 3:23 pm PST
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (TCD) -- The remains of a missing 24-year-old San Diego woman were found and positively identified more than 10 months after she disappeared from a hotel in Houston.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, on Feb. 7, a worker with the Texas Department of Transportation found possible human remains in the Sam Houston National Forest. Detectives from the Homicide/Violent Crimes Unit and other crime scene investigators arrived at the scene and determined the bones belonged to a human.
Detectives sent the remains for DNA and dental record analysis, and through those records, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office positively identified the victim as Felicia Johnson.
Johnson left the InterContinental Houston — Medical Center Hotel on the morning of April 16, 2022, and never returned. In June, Houston Police pinpointed her last known location as 14935 S. Richmond Ave., and she was reported missing after her blood-covered cellphone was located in Bear Creek Pioneers Park.
Houston Police Department detectives identified 28-year-old Chukwuebuka Nwobodo as the suspect in her disappearance and death. He reportedly picked Johnson up at an apartment on Windchase Boulevard and took her to his residence on South Richmond Avenue.
According to a Houston Police Department statement, detectives believe Nwobodo "killed Johnson inside his apartment before disposing her personal effects in Bear Creek Pioneers Park," then "disposed of Johnson’s body at some point within the next few days."
Nwobodo, who remains on the run, is charged with murder and tampering with evidence.
According to Nwobodo’s criminal complaint, Johnson posted an ad for prostitution at 12:28 a.m. on April 16 — the day she went missing. Nwobodo allegedly ordered an Uber to pick her up from her hotel and drop her off at a location on Windchase Boulevard in Houston. Nwobodo and Johnson left the Windchase address and drove toward Richmond Avenue.
Investigators looked through Nwobodo’s bank records and saw he withdrew $500 total on April 16 and went to Walmart on April 16 and April 17. While at Walmart, he reportedly bought a flashlight and had a bandage around his right hand. He also purchased paper towels and trash bags. Nwobodo reportedly went to Home Depot on the same days and bought several gloves and a pruning saw.
On May 13, detectives obtained a warrant to search Nwobodo’s vehicle and found a 9 mm handgun, latex gloves, a knife, and shovel. A reactant used in the car showed signs of blood in the vehicle.
Officials collected Johnson’s DNA from several spots in his apartment as well.
Following Johnson’s disappearance, Nwobodo allegedly searched topics on the internet including "how to be a serial killer," "most forested part of Houston," "does vinegar destroy blood DNA," and more.
Nwodobo is still not in custody.
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