Incident at 10444 Rosecroft November 30, 2007 - The victim, Sharon Darnell, sustained stab wounds to the neck and was found dead at the scene. The suspect, Frederick W. Johnson (b/m, DOB: 7-8-60) was charged with capital murder in the 183rd State District Court. A photo of Johnson is attached to this news release. HPD Homicide Division Sergeant E.S. Mehl and Officer C. Y. Park reported: Ms. Darnell was discovered in an apartment building at the Rosecroft Apartments. Evidence at the scene reflected that she had been bound, sexually assaulted and stabbed to death. Detectives assigned to the case developed a possible suspect and identified him as Johnson. Biological samples, as well as the clothes that Johnson was wearing on the day of the murder, were collected as evidence. In May 2007, after members of the Cold Case Squad reviewed the case, evidence thought to contain DNA evidence was shipped to a private laboratory for processing. Johnson’s DNA was found in critical pieces of evidence submitted along with the victim’s blood on Johnson clothing. On November 27, 2007 investigators filed capital murder charges against Johnson. He is currently an inmate in the Texas prison system where he is serving a life sentence for sexual assault. JGA/VHS 11-30-07 For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. |
