Home Cold case: Police announce arrest of Newport News man in 2017 double homicide
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Cold case: Police announce arrest of Newport News man in 2017 double homicide

Crystal Graham
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A Newport News man has been arrested for the double homicide of a mother and her 8-month-old daughter in 2017.

Carlos A Johnson Jr., 46, was arrested on two counts of first-degree murder on Friday at 12:30 p.m. He is scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday.

Keir Johnson, 34, and her daughter, Chloe, were last seen on the afternoon of April 30, 2017. Her car was recovered approximately one week later, but their bodies were never discovered.

“We have not forgotten Keir and Chloe Johnson, and today’s announcement marks a new phase of our work to get justice for them in court,” said Howard Gwynn, Newport News commonwealth’s attorney.

Newport News Chief of Police Steve Drew said “this day has been a long time coming.”

He said the department’s cold case team never wavered in its commitment to solving the case.

“We want to express our deepest empathy for the Johnson family during this incredibly difficult time,” Drew said. “While we recognize that this recent arrest cannot bring Keir and Chloe back, we sincerely hope it provides a sense of justice for their loved ones.”

Police did not disclose the man’s relationship with the victims despite the same last name, however, online news reports identified him as the infant’s father.

The offices of the Virginia attorney general, Newport News Commonwealth’s attorney and Newport News Police Department made the announcement concerning the arrest.

The investigation into the double homicide is ongoing.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.