Frederick Johnson, a 41-year-old African American man, was found dead on June 25, 2016, in a garage located in the 900 block of West 71st Street in Chicago, Illinois. His body bore multiple injuries to the head, indicating a violent assault. Johnson had been living with Santino Carter, 38, and Dominique Beck, 29, who were his caretakers. The couple, along with Brian Gray, 48, were charged with his murder.
Beck also faced an additional charge of neglect as a caregiver.
The investigation revealed that Johnson had been subjected to severe abuse and torture by his caretakers. On June 24, Beck called Carter to report that Johnson had defecated in the living room and bathroom and had pushed her when confronted. Carter, along with a witness, went to the couple's home, where the witness saw Carter beating Johnson and making him touch his toes for hours. Carter also struck Johnson with a hammer and later called Gray to help drag Johnson to an alley and clean up the scene.
The autopsy confirmed that Johnson's death was a homicide caused by multiple blunt force trauma injuries. The suspects were arrested after a thorough investigation, which included phone records, witness testimonies, and a search of the house. The trio was charged with first-degree murder, and Beck faced an additional charge of felony neglect by a caregiver causing death. The case highlighted the horrific abuse and neglect that Johnson endured at the hands of those who were supposed to care for him.
