In the summer of 2019, the life of a young man, Marshal Aaron Terrell Johnson, a 23-year-old Black / African American male from Des Moines, Iowa, was tragically cut short. On July 26, 2019, Johnson was violently attacked, suffering from a gunshot wound and a cut to his neck. His body was then wrapped in plastic and buried in a deliberate attempt to hide the crime.
The discovery of his remains came later, initiating a complex investigation.
Police received a tip about a possible death at a homeless camp situated in a wooded area south of the intersection of SW 16th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in Des Moines. Upon searching the area, investigators unearthed what they believed to be human remains. The scene immediately suggested that the death was not from natural causes. The Polk County Medical Examiner's Office was brought in to assist, and through extensive forensic examination, the victim was identified as Marshal Aaron Terrell Johnson.
The investigation into Johnson's murder led to the identification of suspects. Two men were ultimately arrested in connection with the homicide. One of the individuals implicated was a homeless man from Des Moines. In April of 2021, it was reported that this suspect was expected to plead guilty for his role in Johnson's death, marking a significant development in the case and a step towards justice for Johnson and his family.
