An Alabama father of two is devastated after his estranged wife allegedly killed both their children and then died by suicide. Nancy and Derek Johnson were in the midst of a contentious divorce when the mother of two committed the horrifying act. Johnson, 33, discovered his family's bodies on September 28.
Nancy Johnson, 37, reportedly killed 2-year-old Jacob and 5-year-old Mia by drowning them and then hung herself in a closet. Johnson told Fox News Digital he is "dead inside" and grieves the loss of the loving family he once knew.
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Johnson and his wife were fighting for custody of their children.
The father of two was reportedly in a custody battle with Nancy Johnson, who was living in their home, and he was staying in an RV on the property per a separation agreement, Fox News reported. On September 28, Johnson awoke to deafening silence and knew something was terribly wrong.
"I had a really bad feeling," he told the news outlet, and explained he drilled through the home's French doors to get in.
He saw the children covered in blankets.
Johnson said Mia and Jacob appeared to be taking a nap, but he soon realized that wasn't the case.
"I put my hand on my son's back to wake him up and realized he was completely stiff and had foam coming out of his nose and mouth," he explained, per Fox News. He discovered Mia was also not breathing, and her throat had been slit.
He said he panicked and began to look for Nancy.
Johnson found his estranged wife on the closet floor and suspected she had hanged herself with the belt from her robe. He called 911, and officers quickly arrived at the gruesome scene.
He later found out from investigators that Nancy had drowned the children first, but Mia seemingly fought back, Fox News reported. It appeared Nancy slit her throat to stop the struggle. The water in the bathtub was reportedly tinged with blood.
Nancy reportedly surprised Johnson with a request for a divorce.
His wife shocked him when she told Johnson in December 2022 that she wanted a divorce. He complied with her request and took a job in Washington to help afford child support and alimony, he told Fox News. But he said Nancy began behaving strangely and making wild accusations against him, including saying that he tried to poison her even though he was living far away.
In an effort to protect his children, he filed for an emergency custody order, which a judge granted. Nancy reportedly attempted to reconcile, but Johnson said he felt she was manipulating him and declined.
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An Alabama judge ordered a nesting agreement on September 20.
Under the new ruling, the couple would split custody, and one would live in the home for one week and the other in the RV, and they would switch. The pair seemed happy with the agreement, but Johnson told Fox News he thought Nancy had been planning the killings for quite some time.
"She didn't want me to have the kids. The kids were hers, and if she had to share them, she was going to take them with her," he said, per Fox News.
Sadly, she went through with the plan, and Johnson lost them all. "I had so much planned for my kids," he recalled. "My purpose in life was taken away."
Relatives have put together a GoFundMe account to help Johnson regain his life.
"The amount of happiness and love that emanated from Mia and Jacob was very apparent to all that they were around. Our house was filled with joy and happiness, their future was so bright in every way possible," Johnson wrote on the page. "So much love and care was put into them for the 7 years of our marriage. Now I am at ground 0 and left with around 25k in debt, a bathroom that I can't possibly stare at where my children were drowned, I want to tear it all out."
"their is no greater sorrow a mortal man could ever carry. My heart breaks for this man and the court system that allowed it to happen," one donor wrote.
Many sent prayers. "This just broke my heart, I know this man will never be the same. A little money and prayers isn't much, I do wish I could do more. I hope someday he'll be happy again."
The GoFundMe page has donations thus far totaling just more than $15,000 of a $25,000 goal.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
