Missing Michigan Couple Was Found Dead in Woods, Adult Son Is Charged with Murder

The son of a missing Michigan couple that was found dead has been charged with murder more than a week after the killings occurred.

According to People, Nicholas Alexander Johnson has been charged with two counts of open murder, and also faces two counts of felony firearm and a single count of felon in possession of a firearm, after the deaths of his parents: 65-year-old Gary Johnson, 65, and 64-year-old Laura Johnson.

The couple was last seen alive on February 3rd and was reported missing on February 9th, after Gary failed to report to work for more than a week.

Police who were dispatched to the couple’s home on the morning of the 9th found “signs of violence” and foul play but no signs of the couple.

Cadaver dogs used in the three-day search helped authorities find the couple buried in the woods at Gourdneck State Game Area.

The Johnson’s reportedly had a no-contact order against their son, Nicholas.

David Johnson, the older brother of Gary, told MLive.com that the couple had a history of problems with their son Nick. Johnson recalled his brother telling him more than a decade ago that “if it ever came down to physically having to control Nick, he didn’t think he could do it.”

Nicholas Johnson is being held without bond and has been in custody since Feb. 9. Police held him on outstanding warrants, including one stemming from an alleged break-in at his parents’ home, back in 2019.