Her bloodied phone turned up in one park. Her body turned up in a forest weeks later. The man charged with her murder was neither found nor caught at either scene.
Felicia Johnson, 24, was identified in February 2023 as the woman whose remains were found in Sam Houston National Forest, Texas, nearly a year after she was reported missing from Houston. Chukwuebuka Nwobodo was charged with her murder but remained at large as of the most recent public reporting.
A Move for Work
Johnson had relocated to Houston from San Diego, California, in April 2022 to work at a local nightclub. She was reported missing later that month after her family lost contact with her.
Discovery in a National Forest
On February 7, 2023, a Texas Department of Transportation worker discovered what turned out to be human remains in Sam Houston National Forest, near Flamingo Lakes and Highway 149. Montgomery County Sheriff's Office detectives and crime scene investigators responded, and DNA and dental records were collected for identification. On February 27, 2023, authorities confirmed the remains belonged to Johnson.
Evidence Found Earlier
Months before her remains were found, Johnson's blood-covered cellphone had been recovered near Highway 6 and Clay Road, in Bear Creek Pioneers Park — evidence that had already led Houston police to treat her disappearance as a suspected homicide.
A Charge, But No Arrest
Houston police charged Chukwuebuka Nwobodo, 28, with murder and tampering with evidence on June 9, 2022, identifying him as a suspect after determining he had picked Johnson up from an apartment complex before bringing her to his own residence. Investigators believe Johnson was killed at Nwobodo's home, with her belongings discarded near Bear Creek Park before her body was disposed of separately days later. As of the most recent public reporting, Nwobodo had not been taken into custody.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Chukwuebuka Nwobodo been arrested?
As of the most recent public reporting, he had not been apprehended despite being formally charged with murder.
How was Felicia Johnson identified?
Through DNA and dental record comparison after her remains were discovered in Sam Houston National Forest in February 2023.
What evidence led investigators to suspect a homicide?
Johnson's blood-covered cellphone was found discarded near a Houston park months before her remains were located, prompting police to treat her disappearance as a suspected homicide from early on.
Sources
Body Found in Montgomery County Identified as Missing Woman Felicia Johnson — KPRC 2 HoustonAnyone with information on Chukwuebuka Nwobodo's location is asked to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.