In the small town of Waverly, Tennessee, 13-year-old Isiah Johnson, a boy known for his kind and helpful nature, passed away at his home on Friday, January 2, 2026. Isiah was a young man of many passions; he was an enthusiastic gamer who particularly loved playing Fortnite, and his love for the outdoors often led him to explore the local creek. He also had a musical side, playing the trumpet, and was a soccer enthusiast who could often be found practicing around his house.
His friendly demeanor meant he made friends easily, and his bright spirit was a source of joy to those who knew him.
The sad circumstances of Isiah's death revealed a much larger family tragedy. He was found deceased alongside his 4-year-old brother, Arius Thompson, and his 88-year-old great-grandmother, Evelyn C. Johnson. The Humphreys County Sheriff's Department investigation concluded that the incident was a murder-suicide.
Authorities identified Isiah's mother, Heather Thompson, as the person who shot and killed her two sons and their great-grandmother before taking her own life. The community gathered for a memorial service at the Humphreys County Funeral Home to mourn the loss of the four family members. Isiah's stepfather, Jeremiah Thompson, who had been a significant part of his life since he was a baby, expressed his profound grief and was making arrangements to bring his sons back to New Mexico for burial.
