JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A four-year old murder investigation into the death of Sherry Lee Prather resulted in the arrest of one last week after several witnesses came forward with incriminating evidence.
Johnny Wayne Johnson, 42, who is described as a white male with a fake Icelandic accent, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016.
Prather was last seen via surveillance footage leaving a Jacksonville nightclub on the back of Johnson's motorcycle on Oct. 12, 2012. Johnson told authorities during questioning that he dropped Prather off at home after leaving the establishment.
Due to a "known" witness coming forward a month after she was last seen, Prather's skeletal remains were found near 12600 Braddock Rd. in northwest Jacksonville on Nov. 14, 2012. The witness told authorities that Johnson had allegedly bragged about killing Prather, and in doing so, divulged where the body was located.
A forensic investigation into Prather's remains determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the torso.
According to authorities, the lack of witnesses in the investigation since finding Prather's remains, has slowed down the investigation.
An additional "known" witness came forward in 2014, as well as one in 2016. The information provided by the two witnesses led police to highly suspect Johnson in the murder of Prather.
The suspect was found and arrested at his home off Maiden Voyage Circle in Jacksonville, Fla. on Friday. According to authorities, the suspect again denied the murder of Prather when questioned last week.
Johnson is currently being held in jail without the option of posting bond. His next court appearance will be on Dec. 12, 2016.
