In the winter of 2022, the life of 21-year-old Hailey Johnson was cut tragically short in Marietta, Georgia. On December 26th, she was found with a fatal gunshot wound to her head in the apartment she shared with her boyfriend, Brooks Cleary. This event set in motion a protracted and heart-wrenching ordeal for Johnson's family as they sought answers and what they considered to be true justice for her death.
Initially, first responders were told by Cleary, who was 22 years old at the time, that Johnson had suffered a seizure. However, the reality of the situation was far more grim. It was discovered that Johnson had been shot with a shotgun, a weapon that prosecutors stated Cleary attempted to conceal by covering it with clothing and sitting on it when help arrived. His initial account of a seizure was a fabrication, and he later claimed to have been 'blackout drunk' with only fragmented memories of the incident. The autopsy report confirmed that Hailey Johnson died from a gunshot wound to the head, but the medical examiner ruled the manner of death as 'undetermined,' leaving a painful ambiguity for her loved ones who vehemently rejected the possibility of suicide.
Brooks Cleary was arrested and ultimately faced legal consequences, though not for causing Johnson's death. He was found guilty of concealing the death of another, making false statements, and two counts of interference with government property. Despite prosecutors seeking a 25-year sentence, a judge sentenced Cleary to 11 years in prison. The judge expressed some doubt regarding the charge of concealing a death in this specific context, which influenced the length of the sentence.
The verdict and sentence were a devastating blow to Hailey Johnson's family, who believe she was murdered. Her mother, Barbara Johnson, has been a vocal advocate for her daughter, expressing a profound sense of injustice and disappointment with the legal outcome. The family described Hailey as a vibrant and happy young woman who had just celebrated her 21st birthday and was embarking on a new business venture. They remember her as a caring individual who was excited about life, making the notion of suicide seem impossible to them. In their relentless pursuit of what they see as justice, the family has utilized social media and participated in a podcast to raise awareness about the case, hoping to bring about further legal action and a murder charge against Cleary.
