Over the past 26 years, dozens of investigators have made runs at solving the apparently unsolvable murder of Donna Ogletree Johnson.
Donna’s tortuous demise began sometime on July 15, 1984. She was savagely beaten, sexually violated with a metal rod, run over with a vehicle while still alive and finally dispatched with three blows to the head.
This photo, submitted by a confidential source, purports to show The Mansion as it appears present day.
Johnson probe leads to former drug house
Her body was dumped the next day on an old roadbed near a cornfield. Her car was found at some nearby dumpsters – a scene that many looking into the case now feel was staged to make it appear she was abducted.
The story has taken many twists and turns over the years but investigators digging into the torture slaying don’t have to listen to sources very long before they become aware of The Mansion.
THE MANSION
The Mansion, according to those who frequented it, was a drug house located on Bishop Road in an area of Upson County known as The Valley.
It had one light fixture with a single bulb and a well that provided water sporadically.
It did land office business in the years prior to the killing.
Characters with nicknames like Crackbaby and Junior D hung out there using drugs.
“Lots of marijuana went through The Mansion. This was not marijuana in bags, pounds or kilos. We are talking about bales of marijuana right off the boat that were run up there from Miami. They cut the bales up with saws so they could weigh it out on triple beams,” one former mansion regular said.
There was also speed in large quantities.
Another former customer described large quantities of crystal methamphetamine arriving at The Mansion in duffel bags.
“It was the largest drug market nobody knew about. We’re talking about enough meth to furnish 50 families. There were some people spending $1000 a week on meth at the mansion,” the former patron said.
The two vehicles most often mentioned in connection with the Johnson murder are a green truck and a green station wagon. Both former customers remember a green station wagon and a green roofing truck that were often among those parked in the pines around The Mansion.
“All those guys were roofers. They had long hair and bandannas. Two or three of them were shooting up meth. There were knots all along their arms. They were real strung out. I cleaned my tools up after work and put them in my truck.
They wore their roofing hatchets with pride,” one mansion habitue said.
Former Lamar sheriff Joe Buice has said for the record that Donna Johnson was killed with a roofing hatchet.
Note: The Herald-Gazette series on the Johnson slaying has generated scores of tips for law enforcement. Still, more information is needed. If you know of anything that might contribute to this investigation, call the GBI regional office in Milledgeville at 1-478-445-4173; the Lamar sheriff’s office at 770-358-5159; or contact The Herald-Gazette at 770.358.NEWS(6397) and we will make sure your information gets into the right hands.
For more on this story, see the 9.7.2010 print/e-edition of The Herald-Gazette.
Subscribe here.
The story has taken many twists and turns over the years but investigators digging into the torture slaying don’t have to listen to sources very long before they become aware of The Mansion.
THE MANSION
The Mansion, according to those who frequented it, was a drug house located on Bishop Road in an area of Upson County known as The Valley.
It had one light fixture with a single bulb and a well that provided water sporadically.
It did land office business in the years prior to the killing.
Characters with nicknames like Crackbaby and Junior D hung out there using drugs.
“Lots of marijuana went through The Mansion. This was not marijuana in bags, pounds or kilos. We are talking about bales of marijuana right off the boat that were run up there from Miami. They cut the bales up with saws so they could weigh it out on triple beams,” one former mansion regular said.
There was also speed in large quantities.
Another former customer described large quantities of crystal methamphetamine arriving at The Mansion in duffel bags.
“It was the largest drug market nobody knew about. We’re talking about enough meth to furnish 50 families. There were some people spending $1000 a week on meth at the mansion,” the former patron said.
The two vehicles most often mentioned in connection with the Johnson murder are a green truck and a green station wagon. Both former customers remember a green station wagon and a green roofing truck that were often among those parked in the pines around The Mansion.
“All those guys were roofers. They had long hair and bandannas. Two or three of them were shooting up meth. There were knots all along their arms. They were real strung out. I cleaned my tools up after work and put them in my truck.
They wore their roofing hatchets with pride,” one mansion habitue said.
Former Lamar sheriff Joe Buice has said for the record that Donna Johnson was killed with a roofing hatchet.
Note: The Herald-Gazette series on the Johnson slaying has generated scores of tips for law enforcement. Still, more information is needed. If you know of anything that might contribute to this investigation, call the GBI regional office in Milledgeville at 1-478-445-4173; the Lamar sheriff’s office at 770-358-5159; or contact The Herald-Gazette at 770.358.NEWS(6397) and we will make sure your information gets into the right hands.
For more on this story, see the 9.7.2010 print/e-edition of The Herald-Gazette.
Subscribe here.
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The next day? Who said this? I thought this was as soon as the crime happened?
Hmm, dont' remember reading in any of these articles that a hatchet was used.
And I have read somewhere on here a roofing hatchet was used and determined to be the cause of death.
Drug house nearby or not, Jimmy's family is the common denominator here.
Everything else notwithstanding, you can't fault somebody for hiring the best legal representation they can afford. If I was accused of a crime, I wouldn't stop until I hired the best of the best- whether I did it or not.
What's sad is, sometimes the D.A just isn't of the same caliber as the high-powered defense, because frequently, talent goes for the $$ over the meager money they cold make as a starting member of the D.A.'s team.
Numerous reports from investigators refer to her father-in-law reporting to have spoken to and/or seen her on the 16th. Strange, isn't it, that they never said anything about "others" seeing her that day. Why would that be such a secret?
flies don't lie. and jimmy was not at work that day.
I hope nothing like this ever happens to you and your family........
Do you know women who do seek help can't get it! They mess up and go to the law. A dog has more rights than women and children. Watch the news. There have been several people put in prison for abusing animals, and others fined to the hilt for it.
Men get the kids now in a divorce. Of course they make more money and it doesn't matter what their history is.
Law is what can pad their pockets. If the woman has anything, they can get they do their best to get it!
She's crazy or a drug addict, or a drunk.
Helen Ann Morgan was missing before Donna Johnson was killed.
Helen Ann Morgan must have met a really nice rich man. She left her job, her family, her car, her bank account, and her child!
A 80 something year old man once told me this is Georgia and justice is distributed according to who you sleeping with.
Those are FACTS!
The drug story is probably true but not connect and seems like a distraction.
For some reason, the Johnson family felt alarmed that Donna wasn't back home less than two hours later and went looking for her. Reportedly, Mike Johnson, her nephew found her car at the dump at 4:20 PM.
Medical Examiner and mortician testified presence of fly larvae in her hair and mouth, which require several hours (12-24 hours) to develop on a dead body. If this is so, then Donna was killed much earlier than 2:00 PM Monday.
If you are working on a case, you are supposed to be impartial and examine all the facts, the LAST thing you want to do is allow your feelings to get involved. True professionals realize this, and act accordingly.
Please, get off your emotional soapbox. The nature of this crime is obvious how bad it was, and I trust the authorities are working on this as they can, along with everything else they currently have to do, and we don't need to group hug or anything in the meantime to feel all better.
Brad was 7 in '84. His father has been nothing but a respective citizen. He has never been on drugs and has always been a hard worker (never a roofer). Learn the facts before you shoot your mouth off.
In the Aug.10 HG Time line shows "6:15am July 16 - Johnson alive according to husband" and "2:15pm July 16- Johnson reported last seen alive by her father-in-law"
If these reports are correct, this case is solved....or am I missing something?
What is wrong with this person? If it were a member of his/her family they wouldn't want it to be let go. Justice needs to be served. Thank you, Joe Buice & Walter for keeping this case alive. Is the evidence starting to hit to close to home for someone? The person/persons responsible for this have had way to long of a life of freedom and it is time for them to pay for their crime. Tie to a stump in a swamp and let the rattlers and other critters do some torture on them. MAY THEY NEVER HAVE ANOTHER GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP WHILE THEY ARE STILL ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Again this is Georgia and animals seem to have more rights than women.
Wake up and take a good look around. Watch the news, read the the papers.
Ladies the law isn't your friend. It's all politics now, and what will line their pockets.
Could somebody please fill in the blanks for me on this?
Who was the sheriff after Billy Riggins? I thought I remember the one immediately after him as being a long-term deputy, maybe with short-curly blondish-red hair, but I can't remember his name. Do I have this all wrong?
1. Since Joe Buice had enough evidence and a suspect, why didnt he arrest him?
2. Would a judge issue a warrant for the arrest or the DA?
3.If it was up to a judge, why was the warrant denied?
4. Was it up to the GBI to get the warrant or Joe? Either way why didnt the GBI back up Joe?
Anyone know the answers? Im just curious as to why this had turned into such a cluster F***. It doesnt make sense to me so please bring me up to date...thanks
i really have no clue... but that would be my guess.
(How come Buice didn't go out and arrest someone if he thought there was enough evidence? He sure charged a lot of others with much less)
I heard someone got a million dollar lawyer!
Money tends to make Judges and Sheriff's look the other way.
On that note, the fact of someone obtaining an attorney is well within their rights, and it surely shouldn't intimidate a law enforcement officer and prevent them from prosecuting someone, unless they know they might not be right about it in the first place. Just sayin.
Or maybe he is working on it, and you haven't been briefed yet on what all has transpired lately.
"just sayin"
be pending when all direct litigation involving said investigation and
prosecution has become final or otherwise terminated. The Georgia Supreme
Court has narrowly interpreted “pending investigations” as imminent
adjudicatory proceedings of finite duration. Thus investigations can
not indefinitely be classified as “pending” in order to prevent public release.
Records from investigation of cases that are unsolved, but otherwise
terminated, are subject to the Act’s disclosure requirements.
**A Law Enforcement Officer’s Guide
to Open Records in Georgia 2nd Addition 2005
You have my email address so you know how to get in touch with me.
Not only can Walter not "work with this", but I seriously doubt he needs police wannabe's pecking around playing detective.
Protect yourself.
The story was that he didn't have enough gas to get home.
Her murder is still open isn't it? I looked through the PJR, and GBI web site and I can't find it. I hope they were caught after doing that to a child. Surely someone knows something about it.
I also hope this re-opening isn't a way to skirt a possible information request by any public member via the FOIA.
That statement right there is a fine example of why professionals handle these things, and don't succomb to this "mob mentality" and over-emotional reactions.
Just what if someone happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? (Re; circumstantial) So do you think they need to spend time in prison for a crime they might not have committed, to appease folks who are over emotional like you? They shoulda stayed their ass at home, but didn't, so they had it coming, even though the facts aren't there?
Ridiculous.
The lying to investigators is a crime and is evidence.
No sir,
You are ridiculous!
Why don't you volunteer up yourself to be charged and convicted for it?
Folks sure claim to have a lot of "rights" that I've never heard of before.
See comment #23.
Do you know why high priced lawyers are so expensive?? They have to share the money.
He cut her up for god's sake!
I believe there is one person that could have been charged with accessory that is deceased.
I believe there is one person that could be charged with accessory that is alive.
I believe there are at least two people that could be charged with murder.
One of the murderers has a common factor with the first two. The first two are protecting at least one of the murderers. Why in the world would anyone protect a murderer? They were compensated for services or they were kin.
I think there is a possibility that if Donna’s case is solved, Helen Morgan’s case may be solved as well… maybe not…
Did their modus operandi evolve after Donna?? Maybe that's why Ms. Morgan supposedly went into the lime pit.
President Obama is committed to creating the most open and accessible administration in American history. To send questions, comments, concerns, or well-wishes to the President or his staff, please use the form below.
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lets all ask him for his help in getting this solved and see if we eva get a response.
Most of you really need a hobby.
Tell him no one cares down here. Donna's civil rights were violated. Describe the crime scene. Explain to them the societies findings and who they are and how we are all coming together to ask for FBI assistance. We pay taxes for this!!!! Tell him we need him because no one else will listen.
#1 Anon on 09/06/10 at 11:18 AM [Reply]
ATTENTION Barnesville, There is a man going around the Holmes St, Moye St, College Dr area asking for money for gas saying he is from out of town. This is a SCAM he has been doing this for the last couple of weeks. I've seen him the last two days and reported himbut he is still out there, dont give him money, call and report him and maybe our fine police deprtment will make him leave our citizens alone.
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#1.1 Yep on 09/06/10 at 04:05 PM [Reply]
That man you're talking about drives an old reddish Dodge truck. The old, old style. He needs to be run off. He blocked my car in at Gordon one day so that I couldn't back out and then asked me for money for gas so he could get back to Forsyth. When he saw me get my gun out of my glove box, he said nevermind and drove off. I guess he didn't need gas that bad after all.
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#1.1.1 abc on 09/06/10 at 09:50 PM [Reply]
He approached my wife at ingles last week she did not give him any money.This is very scary.I will talk to police tomorrow.
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#1.1.2.1 Yep on 09/07/10 at 07:39 AM [Reply]
Yeah, Sheila. I guess I am a crazy b/c this creep watched me, (a lone female) walk to my car and then proceeded to block me in with his truck. Yeah, I introduced him to my little friend. I guess I should have given him directions to your house for handouts?
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#1.1.2.1.1 Anon on 09/07/10 at 09:55 AM [Reply]
He blocked me in at the corner of Holmes and College, the police need to actually do something about this guy. And why is it that you cant report incidents to the police department? If you call the police department, you get a recording telling you to call 911 if its an emergency, and they give you another number to call if it is not. The other number is to the fire department. I've reported this man twice, he has tried to flag me down three times in the las two weeks, and each time I speak to someone who says yeah okay, doesnt ask for any more info, my name, and better description of the perp or anything. Walter maybe you can get a report on this issue - as a citizen of Barnesville I dont feel very safe when I report an incident and see the same thing going on the next morning. A neighborhood watch is useless if the police arent there to back up the people who see this crime everyday!
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#1.2 Anonymous on 09/07/10 at 06:14 AM [Reply]
This guy approached me when I was at the car wash. I gave him a couple of gallons of gas which I had in my van. I didn’t do it for him, I did it for me. Sometimes you never know when the need is legitimate and I do my best to help folks when I can. I know times are hard and compassion for others is where I prefer to be because I don’t like how I feel about myself when I am not. Call me naïve if you chose but it’s where I must be to stay close to my creator. Unfortunately, there are those who lack the integrity where as they exploit the goodness of others for their own gain. To those, they already live in their own little hell because to be able to continually do something like this they lack that which I know which makes life worth living. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Thanks for the heads up on this guy. Where is Barnesville police when you need them?
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#11 Anonymous on 09/07/10 at 08:44 AM [Reply]
Yes, the guy gave the same story to me about needing gas to get back to Forsyth. He followed me into the Walgreen's parking lot. Sounds like he was very busy to have gone to so many places in Barnesville this weekend. Right description of the truck; the black male looked to be in his late 30s.
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