A Colorado man is now in custody for allegedly murdering his Walgreens co-worker; the alleged victim reportedly complained about him before being killed.
Police in Colorado Springs has arrested 28-year-old Joshua Taylor Johnson after the body of 17-year-old Riley Whitelaw was found on June 11 in the break room of a Walgreens located on Centennial and Vindicator. Riley’s body was discovered about an hour and a half after she didn’t come back from a dinner break, KKTV reports.
Johnson, who showed up for his first physical court appearance Tuesday, is accused of blocking surveillance cameras and putting up a “restroom closed” sign on the break room door before murdering Riley. State troopers found Johnson walking on I-25 outside Walsenburg after the incident, KKTV reports.
A year before her death, Riley complained to managers and police about Johnson. At one point, she even asked to be given a different schedule so she wouldn’t have to interact with Johnson at work. Some of Riley’s complaints about Johnson involved Johnson making “advances towards her” and Johnson appearing to act “jealous” when Riley’s boyfriend started working at the Walgreens location. Despite her complaints, a document states Riley was told she’d have to work with Johnson. Johnson and Riley were working the same day that she was found dead, CNN reports.
Johnson is being held in El Paso County jail without bond on suspicion of first-degree murder. He has another hearing scheduled for August 26, CBS News reports.
