Rochelle Robinson/Michael Johnson

[egswanso]

I didn't see a recent thread on this one; briefly, it's a double-murder case, the segment focused on PIs and some idiot "psychic" visions that LE don't believe have any relevance; according to what I've seen online, it's still unsolved and the families blame LE's limited resources (the case was apparently closed after a couple years of investigation)

The segment sort of splits in two, with the first part focusing on the actual crime; I have to agree with LE that Rochelle appeared to have been the target, given the especial violence she sustained. Her stalker and her love life (she was 19, carrying on an affair with a married 25-yr-old), certainly give credence to a spurned lover/wanna-be-lover killing her for her perceived immoral behavior (and/or sour grapes).

The second part of the segment, with focus on the "occult" and worthless visions by the "psychic" have nothing to add, IMO. As portrayed, Michael was just a typical D&D type, not some murderous cultist. It's interesting, and IMO, not coincidental that the "psychic vision" matches the PI's own theory perfectly.

I found Johnson's wife behavior to be odd. She seemed un-fazed that her husband was carrying on an affair with a teenager and oddly unemotional that her husband might have left her, etc. She's been cleared, which we have no reason not to accept, but it's clear it wasn't a happy marriage.

I wonder if there was any further forensic evidence. Was Rochelle sexually assaulted, were there defense wounds with potential DNA in/on them? I know the murder happened pre-DNA testing, but sometimes samples still exist. The segment told of much information re: the box. It'd be interesting to know what tests were run to determine that information and what other tests could be run.

[TracyLynnS]

I can't answer any of your questions, but I do remember the case.

The wife did seem fairly unaffected by the fact that her husband had been killed. It seemed like she was just relieved to be rid of the guy and all the hassle he was causing her by cheating right under her nose. She admits that she was aware of his relationship with Rochelle and passed a polygraph which made the PI discount her as a suspect.

From what they say on the UM site, Rochelle had a stalker for days or weeks prior to her murder. To me, this could be a viable explanation of why she was killed.

Michael was murdered at one location and Rochelle was murdered at a totally different location. I don't think they've released any information regarding a rape, but considering that the man and woman were separated by the killer and murdered at different locations, it seems that eliminating the boyfriend and taking the woman elsewhere to attack and kill her is a possibility.

The first thing the UM site says sensationalizes the whole thing: Is the occult responsible for the double murder of a young couple?

The PI hired by the wife said, "Because of the nature of this crime, we believe that people who were involved in possible occult-type activities could be the kind of people that would commit this type of a murder.”

Not imo. Was there evidence that hasn't been made public, of some kind of religious activity at the murder scenes that would make them suspect a ritualistic motive? Why would a person's religious beliefs make them more likely to be killers than any other people, as the PI states? I just can't believe that satan worshipers killed these people connection to D&D or any subculture activity. Some murderers are pagan, some are christian, some are atheist, some are satanists, etc. I don't think the religious beliefs of the killer or victims are a factor in these murders.

[justins5256]

I just watched this one again for the first time in quite a few years.

I thought the PI and psychic angle was pretty much BS, and I got the vibe it was added to the story to sensationalize it and/or pad the length of the segment due to a lack of evidence regarding the actual circumstances behind the crime.

From the get go, it appears obvious that whoever did this was targeting Rochelle. I say this because the assailant killed Michael by slitting his throat and shooting him and his body was left at the scene with no attempt to hide it. Rochelle was transported some distance away, stabbed repeatedly, and her body dumped and covered by a cardboard box.

The fact that the perp went out of (presumably) his way to prolong things by transporting Rochelle to another location, stab her repeatedly (which is very messy, and a very personal way to kill someone) in what seemed like a frenzied overkill suggests that the perp was targeting her in what was likely a crime of passion type scenario. The fact that he covered her body after the murder could have been done out of some remorseful feelings. Also, the fact that he used a box that forensics showed had been in his car or residence for some time suggests that he's not a very smart murderer, and that this was an amateur job. Why leave behind something like that which could be potentially traced back to you?

The stalker angle certainly seems the most viable direction. Unfortunately, without knowing the man's name, and just going by a sketchy description and not the greatest composite, it seems like the chances of finding him aren't great.

Failing that, I think the police need to investigate the people who were close to Rochelle at the time, specifically jealous ex's or potential wannabe suitors. That is where the killer will be.