Justin Williams gets 26 years to life for murder of 22-year-old D’Asia Johnson in Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, NY – A man who stabbed his 22-year-old girlfriend nine times, dismembered her body and lived for weeks with her remains inside her East New York apartment while spending her money and pretending she was still alive has been sentenced to 26 years to life in prison.
Justin Williams, 27, of Manhattan, was sentenced Wednesday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun for the murder of D’Asia Johnson, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
A jury convicted Williams on June 16 of second-degree murder, concealment of a human corpse, fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree criminal impersonation and fifth-degree welfare fraud.
Williams and Johnson had been in a romantic relationship for several years, according to evidence presented at trial.
Prosecutors said Williams repeatedly abused Johnson during the relationship.
At the time she was killed, Johnson was protected by an order of protection requiring Williams to stay away from her.
Johnson entered her apartment on Linwood Avenue in East New York on Aug. 21, 2022, and never walked out again.
During the early morning hours of Aug. 22, Williams stabbed her nine times, prosecutors said.
Johnson was stabbed five times in the front of her torso and four times in the back. The wounds struck her heart and lung.
Williams then dismembered Johnson’s body and placed her remains in garbage bags inside the apartment bathroom, according to the evidence.
Her remains stayed there for nearly a month.
During that time, Johnson’s family and friends were searching for her while Williams continued living inside the apartment.
Prosecutors said Williams impersonated Johnson to call her workplace and report her absent so that her paychecks would continue.
He also accessed money from Johnson’s bank account and used it to pay women engaged in prostitution whom he brought to the apartment while Johnson’s remains were still inside, according to prosecutors.
Williams also used Johnson’s public benefits to purchase food for himself.
Prosecutors said he brought his adolescent son into the apartment during the same period.
When members of Johnson’s family came looking for her, Williams pretended to be Johnson in an attempt to conceal her death, according to the evidence.
The concealment ended after building personnel became concerned because Johnson had not been seen.
They conducted a wellness check and contacted police, leading to the discovery of her remains.
Nearly four years after Johnson was killed, Williams will now serve a sentence of 26 years to life in state prison.
Key Points
- Justin Williams, 27, was sentenced to 26 years to life for murdering and dismembering his girlfriend, D’Asia Johnson, 22.
- Prosecutors said Williams kept Johnson’s remains in garbage bags inside her apartment bathroom for nearly a month while continuing to live there.
- Williams used Johnson’s money and benefits and impersonated her while her family and friends searched for her, according to evidence presented at trial.
