Police: 'Precious Doe' Identified -- Erica Green (Kansas City MO)

KMBC ^ | May 5, 2005 | KMBC 9 News

[Former Military Chick]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- In a brief news release sent to the media early Thursday morning, Kansas City police announced that the young girl known for the past four years as Precious Doe had been identified.

Erica Green The girl, whose decapitated body was found near 59th Street and Kensington April 28, 2001, was identified as Erica Michelle Maria Green, 3.

Police went to Muskogee, Okla., this week to check out a tip that an Oklahoma woman was the mother of the young girl.

The information came from an Oklahoma man who contacted local activist Alonzo Washington after seeing an advertisement in a Kansas City newspaper. The man claimed to know the identity of Precious Doe and who killed her. Washington said the man claimed that the mother of Precious Doe came to Kansas City in 2001 seeking a job, but became involved in drugs. The man with the tip was a relative of the Johnsons, officials said.

Harrell Johnson and Michelle Johnson Two people were taken into custody in Oklahoma in connection with the case. The Muskogee Phoenix newspaper identified the pair as Harrell Johnson, 25, and Michelle Johnson, 30, both of Muskogee.

Kansas City police and city leaders held a news conference Thursday morning to talk about the case and announce charges. Jackson County, Mo., prosecutor Mike Sanders said Michelle Johnson was charged with one count of felony murder and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. The stepfather, Harrell Johnson, was not charged.

"Additional charges in this case are likely and very soon," Sanders said.

According to court documents, Green was allegedly kicked in the head by her stepfather and was unresponsive for two days. Investigators claim that the Johnsons did not seek help for the young girl and she died. Her body was later disposed of in a wooded area. The child's head was severed and placed in a trash bag, which was found a few days after her body was discovered.

"What I hope and pray is that she was not alive when this took place," Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks said. "I don't know. Maybe that will come out in the end, and maybe the medical examiner already knows and the police department. But I hope and pray, and please join me in that hopefulness and prayerfulness, that she was not alive when this took place. That would be beyond horrific. That would be beyond the savagery that it is already."

Community Reacts To News

Washington went to Hibbs Park in Kansas City Thursday morning where a memorial had been set up for Precious Doe. He told KMBC that he was overjoyed that the case had been solved.

"I was out here just Thursday, saying that one tip can solve this case. I did not know two days later that tip would come in," Washington said. "So I'm overjoyed and happy to know that Erica Green is Precious Doe. We have a name to our child."

Teresa Perry of the Precious Doe committee told KMBC that she cried when she heard the news.

"This is wonderful news. This is a blessing. We're thanking God," Perry said.

A retired postal worker who found the girl's head days after her body was discovered said he is very happy the young girl has been identified.

"Oh, I feel great that we got a name for somebody that we really didn't who it was. Now we have a name and hopefully we can close this. It's not Precious Doe. We do have a name," Billy Stegall told KMBC.

Refresh this page for updates.

[Former Military Chick]

This is wonderful and sad new all at the same time.

[eyespysomething]

Is this the little girl in that photo, relating to pornography?

[Rodney King]

Who is Precious Doe/Erica Green?

[Former Military Chick]

12:35 April 28, 2001 child was murdered known as Precious Doe.

Charged with 2 counts 1 felony murder and child endangerment. Michelle Johnson currently arrested in Oklahoma.

Informant called in the lead to the arrest.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

No. This is a girl who was found decapitated in Missouri some time ago. I can't remember how long ago it was but it has been a while.

[Rodney King]

Another case where the judge she be allowed to order the bailiff to take them out back and shoot them.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The police declared it "solved". Does this mean they know who murdered her and why?

[Former Military Chick]

TheKansasCityChannel.com

Police: 'Precious Doe' Identified

Investigators To Hold News Conference At 10 A.M.

POSTED: 6:23 am CDT May 5, 2005

UPDATED: 10:09 am CDT May 5, 2005

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- In a brief news release sent to the media early Thursday morning, Kansas City police announced that the young girl known for the past four years as Precious Doe had been identified.

Video
	LIVE: Watch KMBC's Coverage at 10 a.m. Watch KMBC's Report

The girl, whose decapitated body was found near 59th Street and Kensington in April 2001, was identified as Erica Michelle Maria Green, 3.

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LIVE: See the news conference live at 10 a.m.

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Police went to Muskogee, Okla., this week to check out a tip that an Oklahoma woman may have been the mother of the young girl.

The information came from an Oklahoma man who contacted local activist Alonzo Washington after seeing an advertisement in a Kansas City newspaper. The man claimed to know the identity of Precious Doe and who killed her. Washington said the man claimed that the mother of Precious Doe came to Kansas City in 2001 seeking a job, but became involved in drugs.

Two people were taken into custody in Oklahoma in connection with the case. The Muskogee Phoenix newspaper identified the pair as Harrell Johnson, 25, and Michelle Johnson, 30, both of Muskogee. Jackson County, Mo., prosecutor Mike Sanders said Johnson was charged with one count of felony murder and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

The man with the tip is a relative of the Johnsons, officials said. He said he had a granddaughter who he hasn't seen since 2001 when her mother, Michelle Johnson, took the 3-year-old girl to Kansas City.

Community Reacts To News

Washington went to Hibbs Park in Kansas City Thursday morning where a memorial had been set up for Precious Doe. He told KMBC that he was overjoyed that the case had been solved.

"I was out here just Thursday, saying that one tip can solve this case. I did not know two days later that tip would come in," Washington said. "So I'm overjoyed and happy to know that Erica Green is Precious Doe. We have a name to our child."

Teresa Perry of the Precious Doe committee told KMBC that she cried when she heard the news.

"This is wonderful news. This is a blessing. We're thanking God," Perry said.

A retired postal worker who found the girl's head days after her body was discovered said he is very happy the young girl has been identified.

"Oh, I feel great that we got a name for somebody that we really didn't who it was. Now we have a name and hopefully we can close this. It's not Precious Doe. We do have a name," Billy Stegall told KMBC.

Refresh this page for updates.

[RetiredNavy]

3 yo previously unidentified murder victim

[Wneighbor]

Justice for this baby? Finally. I hope.

[Former Military Chick]

See comment 8.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Article says she was found in April 2001.

[frogjerk]

The murder of the innocents in this country is so unbelievably sickening. It is really very disenheartening...

[Former Military Chick]

They just posted this on local news site. It is justice long over due.

May this little girl find peace.

Currently breaking on all Kansas City channels.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Historic thread about this subject.

[Blood of Tyrants]

In ANY country.

[Non-Sequitur]

Who is Precious Doe/Erica Green?

About 4 years ago the beheaded body of a 3 year old girl was found in Kansas City. A few days later they found her head wrapped in a trash bag not far from her body. The brutality of the crime caught the city attention, the funds were raised to give her a decent burial, and since she was unidentified she was nicknamed 'Precious Doe' by the media. They've been trying to identify her since then, thought they had a couple of times but DNA evidence fell through. According to the news reports this morning, the cause of death was being kicked in the head and she apparently lingered for a few days before dying.

[Wneighbor]

May this little girl find peace.

Amen gal.

[MizSterious]

Not that it will help, but I'd like to know WHY they felt it ncecessary to kill this child in this way.

[Former Military Chick]

She was found but unable to identify which is what tugged on the heart strings of many.

The reporter a moment ago said that they had put the head in a trash container, that her husband demanded that she (mother) do that, than decided to remove it and throw into the woods.

What kind of evil exsists to do this to such a beautiful little girl.

[frogjerk]

What kind of evil exsists to do this to such a beautiful little girl.

The Devil is working overtime.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

"In ANY country."

You got that right.

[MisterRepublican]

I've seen this case many times on Court TV and A&E crime investigation programs. Very sad. Thank God they may have found the monsters who did this to that poor little girl.

[Jokelahoma]

Congratulations and a big, hearty THANK YOU to the police officers who continued to work this case all this time! We often overlook the work these folks do.

[Former Military Chick]

Precious has a name: Erica Michelle Maria Green

By CHRISTINE VENDEL and JOHN SHULTZ
The Kansas City Star

After four years of mystery, Precious Doe has a name — Erica Michelle Maria Green – and authorities were preparing to file charges against those responsible for her death.

Signaling that the long-unsolved case of the 3-year-old's death was finally nearing a close, Kansas City police, chasing down a lead in Oklahoma, released the girl's identity early this morning.

“Everyone over here is excited beyond words,” police spokesman Capt. Rich Lockhart said.

Jackson County Prosecutor Mike Sanders said he had been presented a case file in the homicide of Precious Doe and had called a press conference for this morning to announce charges in the case.

Lockhart could not elaborate on what led police to make a positive identification, other than to say that a call last week directing officers to an Oklahoma couple brought investigators to a break in the case that began with the discovery of the girl's decapitated body April 28, 2001.

“It is still very much a developing investigation.”

Police found her body near 59th Street and Kensington Avenue. Community members named her Precious Doe and mounted a passionate campaign to remember her, bury her and help find her killer.

But for the long years spent trying to unravel her story, the end came in a whirlwind this week with the re-emergence of an old lead.

It started Friday, when a Muskogee man called police and said he was related to Precious Doe. He said he knew her mother and also who killed her.

The same man called police last year, but police said he provided less detailed information at that time.

That lead took them nowhere, police said.

Working with Muskogee detectives, Kansas City investigators on Wednesday interviewed members of a Muskogee family.

Michelle Johnson, 30, and Harrell Johnson, 25, had been arrested Monday on unrelated charges.

Police said Wednesday that they planned to question the two people.

Kansas City police said they planned to seek a DNA sample from Michelle Johnson to determine whether she was Precious Doe's mother, but they had not taken the sample Wednesday. Tests comparing such a sample to Precious Doe's remains would take two to three days, police said.

Michelle Johnson served prison time for a larceny conviction, according to Oklahoma records. Harrell Johnson has been convicted of several charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and possessing a sawed-off shotgun.

The tipster recently told a reporter for The Kansas City Star in a telephone interview that two people drove with the girl to Kansas City in the spring of 2001 to find jobs. He said the girl was killed in a Kansas City house and dumped outdoors.

The tipster also sent Kansas City community activist Alonzo Washington a photo showing nine persons, whom the tipster said were Michelle Johnson and her eight children.

The tipster drew an arrow to one young girl, whom he identified as Precious Doe.

Washington gave police a copy of the photo Tuesday. Police confirmed the young girl in the photo to be Erica Green.

The Precious Doe murder investigation was one of the city's biggest in recent memory. Police already have conducted at least 17 DNA tests.

To reach Christine Vendel, police reporter, call (816) 234-4438 or send e-mail to cvendel@kcstar.com.

[yellowdoghunter]

Thanks for posting this. I hate to think these scumbags are living in my area.

A shot to die to too good for these people.

[MACVSOG68]

Thanks for the ping, FMC. Yes, I remember this one. I'm very glad they were caught. Why does it always come back to drugs?

[frogjerk]

Michelle Johnson served prison time for a larceny conviction, according to Oklahoma records. Harrell Johnson has been convicted of several charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and possessing a sawed-off shotgun.

Real pillars of society.

[frogjerk]

Why does it always come back to drugs?

Here's a fortune cookie - "You're comment will bring many responses" ;)

[SavageRepublican]

The tipster also sent Kansas City community activist Alonzo Washington a photo showing nine persons, whom the tipster said were Michelle Johnson and her eight children.

Eight?! Wonder where they are now...

Very disturbing case...I've been following this one for a while. Good news that they finally appear to have solved it.

I can't imagine what that poor little child went through...there really are monsters loose in the world!!!!

[Wneighbor]

“Everyone over here is excited beyond words,”

I don't know if I'd use those words. I know this is a great break in a long term very emotional case. But, "excited beyond words" bothers me. Although, I think I'm translating that for myself as "finally getting closure and peace for the community and dedicated personnel who have worked for justice." I know the unravelling of this horrible crime has to give those working the case great relief. Those people have my prayers. Working with such gruesome cases has to be devastating in itself.

[DTogo]

Where's Vlad "Tepes" when you need him? Once convicted, these two should be impaled and left to rot in the public square as a warning.

[RabidBartender]

Channel 9 reported that the stepfather had kicked Erica in the head and she had become unresponsive. She then laid in the house for 2 days, until she died. Then he got rid of the body and severed the head (I guess to prevent identification). The news reports that they didn't seek medical aid for Erica because both the mother and the stepfather had outstanding warrants.

Also, the mother had sent 3 of her kids to live with their grandmother in Chicago, so the folks in Oklahoma thought Erica was in Chicago, while the folks in Chicago thought Erica was in Oklahoma.

Words fail me...

[barker]

I'm going to have a good cry for this little girl. That's all I can say right now.

[TrueBlueAmerican]

Okie from Muskogee alert.

[Megben]

I'm a little concerned that she may not have been dead, comatose maybe but not dead. I can't believe either adult sobered up enough after this to make an effective judgement on this. They just mentioned on the news about the stepfather going down into the woods with a hedge clippers.
One of the people on the press conference made a mistake and mentioned the informant as a grandfather. Wonder if it was hers?

[Former Military Chick]

I appreciate you givng background to this case, it has been on the back burner so to speak.

Here are a few items I gleamed from the news conference.

Child was kicked in head by stepfather as mother watched on.

She laid for 2 days before they moved her.

Step father carried away the lifeless body from home, taking along hedge clippers.

He cut head off in wooded area then put it into a dumpster in church parking lot.

Mom said cannot leave the head there so they removed it and then tossed it in the woods North 59th street.

May she already have gone to heaven before her father decapitated her head.

Tipster may have been the child's grandparent, mother has half a million bond in Oklahoma.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

This mother and her boyfriend are monsters. I pray for this grieving grandparent, but question why it took so long for this to come out.

[AQGeiger]

What kind of abomination of a mother could create that kind of death for her child? Just reading that makes me ill.

[Peach]

OMG. This is one of the most horrible stories I've ever read.

[Former Military Chick]

I frankly do not know, but, I must tell you drugs or not a jury will never buy it.

Unless they plead guilty and she is guilty she has confessed she will receive the death penalty.

Actually, I am a Kansas transplant. So, come to think about it, I heard it living in another neck of the country so I will have to a bit of research. I know in Kansas that because of the time frame BTK (Bind, torture,kill) murderer will NOT face the DP.

[DTogo]

To your post #37 I repeat my post #32.

[RabidBartender]

The grandfather (channel 9 was saying it was the stepfather's grandfather...not sure on that) obtained photos of all of the children, somehow got a hair sample from the mother, placed it in a baggie, and shipped it to KC.

Besides, I think the mother was telling people Erica was in Chicago with her grandmother.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Thanks for the info. I am sure more will come out as this story unfolds.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Michelle Johnson, 30 years old, 8 children.

[Former Military Chick]

I have to tell you I am horrified beyond words. I am so grateful that this little girl can now be given Christian burial, that she is now without pain in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.

Just had the dishwasher repair guy here and he remarked on this case and how it affected the community.

As we were talking it dawned on me, this couple, step father and biological mother, had a child. Folks must have seen the mom pregnant? Folks must have noticed a child playing in the community? Grandparents must have sent at least one birthday card to their beloved granddaughter?

What the hell, did NOT even one person wonder? So, if the grandparent's tip helped find them, I would look into the background and why NOW did they phone in.

(if my religious remarks offend you, then perhaps you need to find another thread)

[RabidBartender]

I tried to find out this information, but I am not sure.

They have initally charged her with 2nd degree murder. The pasty-faced prosecutor at the press conference only spoke about the death penalty if the charges were upgraded to 1st degree.

Can a 2nd degree murder conviction get a death penalty? In my google search, I only saw sentences of 10-15 years for 2nd degree murder.

[RepoGirl]

This is very sad, good news. I just saw a show on either Court TV or A&E about how forensic scientists were working on identifying her. They used age-progressing technology to make a new poster for her.

May this poor angel rest in peace now, and may the scumbags who killed her get what they deserve.

[Former Military Chick]

Sign me up. These folks do not deserve to breath the same air you and I breath.

This is beyond horrific, justice should be swift and punishment carried out quickly as well.

[MACVSOG68]

Here's a fortune cookie - "You're comment will bring many responses" ;)

Yeah, but only from the Libertarians....