South Central, Los Angeles–A reward is now being offered in the amount of $150,000 for any information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of Mikeona Johnson.
The 23-year-old Black Mother/Student went missing Sep. 9 2020 and was found deceased in her own car a week later. Detectives closed the investigation into Johnson’s death six months later, although, her cause of death has not been established.
Johnson’s family took to social media after the reward was approved by the Los Angeles City Council to thank CD8 Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who introduced the reward as a motion to the city council earlier this year.
The reward in Johnson’s case follows the announcement of a $150,000 reward for information into the death of 16-year-old Tioni Theus, whose body was discarded along an entry ramp of the 110 freeway earlier this year in South Central.
“Thank you to Councilman Marqueece Harris Dawson for pushing this motion to the Los Angeles City Council as they voted 15-0 to offer a reward! Thank you to everyone that has liked, shared, and signed the many petitions and participated in the press conferences and rally!!! We wanted exposure and we needed for somebody to hear our cry for justice.”
The death of both Johnson and Theus, are a troubling reminder of the violence and trauma facing the lives of Black women and girls in inner cities across the U.S. Often, these women are victims of intimate partner violence, cases which skyrocketed during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Their deaths also call into focus the disparities surrounding the ways police handle cases involving missing and murdered Black women.
Last month, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to approve a motion for an equity analysis on violence against Black women & girls in L.A. The motion was introduced by Councilmen Marqueece Harris-Dawson & Curren Price, following public outcry regarding Theus’ death.
The equity analysis will cover several key points including:
- Violence and crime facing Black women and girls in the City of Los Angeles
- The rate at which homicides and violent crimes against them are solved
- How missing persons cases involving Black women and girls are handled
- Policy recommendations for providing equity and justice for these victims and their families.
The report will be published through the office of L.A’s Civil Rights Department, with the assistance of the LAPD.
Read More: Killings in LA spotlight a crisis: ‘Black women are being murdered and no one is paying attention’
Any information please contact LAPD 77th division South Bureau Homicide. Please remember you can remain anonymous. Help these young women and their families get the justice they rightfully deserve.