Man arrested in connection with 2012 death of Jacksonville woman

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man was arrested in connection with the death of a Jacksonville woman in 2012.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced the arrest Monday of Johnny Johnson in connection with the death of Sherry Prather.

Prather was reported missing in October 2012. She was last seen leaving a bar with Johnson and riding off on his motorcycle, officials said.

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A witness told detectives about a mont later Johnson confessed to killing her and putting her body in a wooded area.

Prather's remains were found in the woods by officials and the cause of death was ruled to be gunshot wound to the torso, Jacksonville police said.

Multiple witnesses over the last four years came forward telling police that Johnson had confessed.

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In October 2016, a witness also came forward, saying that Johnson confessed to shooting and killing Prather, JSO said.

Johnson was questioned by detectives last week. He was charged with second-degree murder.

“Things that people know, but we need them to come forward,” JSO Lt. Steve Gallaher said. “This one took a lot longer than normal, but then we have those that never get solved because people never come forward.”

Prather’s mother told Action News Jax that she’s elated that an arrest has finally been made in her daughter’s case.

Johnson is scheduled to be in court on Dec. 12.

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Cox Media Group