BROOKLYN, N.Y. – A man convicted of murdering and dismembering his 22-year-old girlfriend has been sentenced to 26 years to life in prison, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
Justin Williams, 27, of Manhattan, was sentenced Aug. 12 by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun for the killing of D’Asia Johnson. A jury convicted Williams on June 16 of second-degree murder and five additional offenses after prosecutors presented evidence that he stabbed Johnson nine times and concealed her remains inside her East New York apartment.
What happened afterward formed another disturbing part of the prosecution’s case. Williams remained in Johnson’s apartment for weeks, impersonated her to keep her paychecks coming and spent money from her bank account while her family and friends searched for her, according to prosecutors.
- Williams was sentenced to 26 years to life after a Brooklyn jury convicted him of second-degree murder and five other crimes.
- Prosecutors said Johnson was stabbed nine times before Williams dismembered her and kept her remains in garbage bags inside her bathroom.
- Evidence showed Williams impersonated Johnson and used her money and public benefits after killing her.
D’Asia Johnson Entered Her Apartment and Never Came Out
Johnson and Williams had been in a romantic relationship for several years, according to prosecutors. The relationship included repeated abuse, and at the time Johnson was killed, she was protected by an order requiring Williams to stay away from her.
Johnson entered her apartment on Linwood Avenue in East New York on Aug. 21, 2022. Prosecutors said she was never seen leaving again.
During the early morning hours of Aug. 22, Williams stabbed Johnson five times in the front of her torso and four times in the back, striking her heart and lung, according to evidence presented at trial.
Williams then dismembered Johnson and placed her remains in garbage bags inside the apartment bathroom, prosecutors said. Her body remained there for nearly a month.
Meanwhile, Johnson’s relatives and friends were desperately trying to find her.
“D’Asia Johnson suffered horrific violence at the hands of this defendant, who then compounded that cruelty with conduct that showed a staggering disregard for her life, her dignity and the loved ones desperately searching for her,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.
Prosecutors Say Williams Used Johnson’s Money After Killing Her
Williams continued living in Johnson’s apartment while her remains decomposed nearby, according to the evidence.
Prosecutors said he impersonated Johnson when contacting her employer, calling out from her job so her paychecks would continue. He then used money from her bank account.
Williams also spent Johnson’s money on women engaged in prostitution whom he brought into the apartment, prosecutors said. He used her public benefits to purchase food for himself and even brought his adolescent son into the apartment during that period.
When Johnson’s family members came looking for her, prosecutors said Williams pretended to be Johnson in an effort to conceal her death.
Her remains were eventually discovered after building personnel became concerned because they had not seen Johnson and conducted a wellness check. Police were then contacted.
The case ultimately went before a jury, which convicted Williams 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.
26-Year-to-Life Sentence Follows Murder Conviction
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun sentenced Williams to 26 years to life in prison.
“He has now been held accountable for that horrific brutality, and I hope D’Asia’s family can find some measure of solace and justice in today’s sentence,” Gonzalez said.
Unlike a pending criminal case in which charges remain allegations, Williams’ case resulted in a jury conviction. The sentence means he must serve the minimum term before becoming eligible for parole consideration.
Johnson was 22 when she was killed.
Who was D’Asia Johnson?
D’Asia Johnson was a 22-year-old Brooklyn woman who had been in a years-long relationship with Justin Williams. Prosecutors said an order of protection requiring Williams to stay away from her was in effect when she was murdered.
What was Justin Williams convicted of?
A jury convicted Williams of second-degree murder, concealment of a human corpse, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal impersonation and welfare fraud.
How long will Justin Williams spend in prison?
Williams was sentenced to 26 years to life. He must serve the minimum portion of the sentence before becoming eligible for consideration for parole.
Sources: Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, sentencing announcement issued Aug. 12, 2026.
