LaVena Johnson
Encyclopedia
LaVena Johnson was a Private First Class
in the United States Army
whose death, officially ruled a suicide, has attracted international attention amid claims she was raped and murdered. She was the first female soldier from Missouri to die in Iraq.
. The 5'1" African American
honor student enrolled in the Army immediately after graduating from Hazelwood Central High School
. She was sent to Iraq and stationed in Balad
. She had been there for 8 weeks before her death on July 19, 2005.
. However, her father became suspicious when he saw her body in the funeral home and decided to investigate. The Army initially refused to release information, but did so under the Freedom of Information Act after Representative William Lacy Clay, Jr.
raised questions about it at the congressional hearings over Pat Tillman
's death.
The autopsy report and photographs revealed Johnson had a broken nose, black eye, loose teeth, burns from a corrosive chemical on her genitals, and a gunshot wound that seemed inconsistent with suicide. Several reporters have suspected that the chemical burns were to destroy DNA evidence of a rape.
A spokesman
from the House Armed Services Committee
said in June 2008 that the committee was looking into Johnson's death, but they were not yet committing to a formal investigation. Christopher Grey, chief of public affairs for the U.S. Criminal Investigative Command for the Army has said that the case remains closed as far as they are concerned.
Following a February 2007 KMOV
news report on Johnson's death, an online petition
addressed to the House Armed Services Committee
and the Senate Armed Services Committee
was launched. This was followed by the creation of an official LaVena Johnson website dedicated to developments in prompting a new Army investigation of her death. The petition closed on May 24, 2008 with nearly 12,000 signatures; preparations are being made for delivery to the two committees. In July 2008, the online Black activist group Color of Change
launched an online petition calling on Henry Waxman
, chair of the House Oversight Committee, to conduct a hearing into LaVena Johnson's death and the Army's handling of her case and others like it.
A movie about LaVena Johnson's family struggle for justice is currently being shown at Webster University in St.Louis, Missouri. Joan Brooker directed " LaVena Johnson: The Silent Truth".
On Tuesday, July 19, the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute
(CCIRI) at CHI Institute will continue its investigation into the death of 19-year-old Private LaVena Johnson by recreating the crime scene. Johnson died in July 2005 while serving in Balad, Iraq. Army officials listed Johnson’s death as a suicide, but the evidence and circumstances have investigators taking another look at the case.
The CCIRI has taken on high profile cases such as Chandra Levy, Natalee Holloway, Tupac Shakur and The Boston Strangler. Each year the CCIRI investigates a new cold case and this year has chosen Johnson’s case. The CCIRI’s crime scene reconstruction will help shed light on this case that has attracted worldwide attention. The case was also the inspiration for the documentary, “LaVena Johnson – The Silent Truth
(source)www.fairmediaimages.com
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
whose death, officially ruled a suicide, has attracted international attention amid claims she was raped and murdered. She was the first female soldier from Missouri to die in Iraq.
Biography
The daughter of Dr John Johnson, a service veteran and Linda Johnson, Johnson was born and grew up in Florissant, MissouriFlorissant, Missouri
Florissant is a second-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in northern St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The city has a total population of 52,158 in 2010 census.-History:...
. The 5'1" African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
honor student enrolled in the Army immediately after graduating from Hazelwood Central High School
Hazelwood Central High School
Hazelwood Central High School is located at 15875 New Halls Ferry Road in unincorporated St. Louis County, adjacent to the current northeast boundary of Florissant, MO. The school is one of three high schools in the district, the others being Hazelwood West High School and Hazelwood East High School...
. She was sent to Iraq and stationed in Balad
Balad
Al-Balad is the historical area of Jeddah, the second largest city of Saudi Arabia. Balad can literally be translated as "The City." Balad is the historic center of the City of Jeddah. Balad traces its history 2,500 years back as a fishing village when the Quda'a fishermen tribe settled...
. She had been there for 8 weeks before her death on July 19, 2005.
Death and controversy
Johnson's death was officially ruled a suicide by the Department of DefenseUnited States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
. However, her father became suspicious when he saw her body in the funeral home and decided to investigate. The Army initially refused to release information, but did so under the Freedom of Information Act after Representative William Lacy Clay, Jr.
William Lacy Clay, Jr.
William Lacy Clay, Jr., usually known as Lacy Clay is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
raised questions about it at the congressional hearings over Pat Tillman
Pat Tillman
Corporal Patrick Daniel "Pat" Tillman Jr. was an American football player who left his professional career and enlisted in the United States Army in June 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. He joined the Army Rangers and served several tours in combat before he died in the...
's death.
The autopsy report and photographs revealed Johnson had a broken nose, black eye, loose teeth, burns from a corrosive chemical on her genitals, and a gunshot wound that seemed inconsistent with suicide. Several reporters have suspected that the chemical burns were to destroy DNA evidence of a rape.
A spokesman
Spokesman
A spokesperson or spokesman or spokeswoman is someone engaged or elected to speak on behalf of others.In the present media-sensitive world, many organizations are increasingly likely to employ professionals who have received formal training in journalism, communications, public relations and...
from the House Armed Services Committee
United States House Committee on Armed Services
thumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
said in June 2008 that the committee was looking into Johnson's death, but they were not yet committing to a formal investigation. Christopher Grey, chief of public affairs for the U.S. Criminal Investigative Command for the Army has said that the case remains closed as far as they are concerned.
Following a February 2007 KMOV
KMOV
KMOV, virtual channel 4, is the CBS-affiliated television station in St. Louis, Missouri. KMOV is owned by the Dallas-based Belo Corporation, with its studio and office facilities in St...
news report on Johnson's death, an online petition
Petition
A petition is a request to do something, most commonly addressed to a government official or public entity. Petitions to a deity are a form of prayer....
addressed to the House Armed Services Committee
United States House Committee on Armed Services
thumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
and the Senate Armed Services Committee
United States Senate Committee on Armed Services
The Committee on Armed Services is a committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military, including the Department of Defense, military research and development, nuclear energy , benefits for members of the military, the Selective Service System and...
was launched. This was followed by the creation of an official LaVena Johnson website dedicated to developments in prompting a new Army investigation of her death. The petition closed on May 24, 2008 with nearly 12,000 signatures; preparations are being made for delivery to the two committees. In July 2008, the online Black activist group Color of Change
Color of Change
Color of Change is a Web-based grassroots organization that aims to strengthen the political voice of Black America. It was formed after the events of Hurricane Katrina, a powerful storm that devastated much of the north-central Gulf Coast...
launched an online petition calling on Henry Waxman
Henry Waxman
Henry Arnold Waxman is the U.S. Representative for , serving in Congress since 1975. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is considered to be one of the most influential liberal members of Congress...
, chair of the House Oversight Committee, to conduct a hearing into LaVena Johnson's death and the Army's handling of her case and others like it.
A movie about LaVena Johnson's family struggle for justice is currently being shown at Webster University in St.Louis, Missouri. Joan Brooker directed " LaVena Johnson: The Silent Truth".
On Tuesday, July 19, the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute
(CCIRI) at CHI Institute will continue its investigation into the death of 19-year-old Private LaVena Johnson by recreating the crime scene. Johnson died in July 2005 while serving in Balad, Iraq. Army officials listed Johnson’s death as a suicide, but the evidence and circumstances have investigators taking another look at the case.
The CCIRI has taken on high profile cases such as Chandra Levy, Natalee Holloway, Tupac Shakur and The Boston Strangler. Each year the CCIRI investigates a new cold case and this year has chosen Johnson’s case. The CCIRI’s crime scene reconstruction will help shed light on this case that has attracted worldwide attention. The case was also the inspiration for the documentary, “LaVena Johnson – The Silent Truth
(source)www.fairmediaimages.com
External links
- The PFC LaVena Johnson Petition
- Murder on the Base? story in ChicagoReader
- Dark Secrets - coverage by Ginny Stein on SBSSpecial Broadcasting ServiceThe Special Broadcasting Service is a hybrid-funded Australian public broadcasting radio and television network. The stated purpose of SBS is "to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect...
Australia Dateline program aired 29 May 2009.