Justin Williams sentenced to 26 years to life for murder and dismemberment

Justin Williams, 27, was sentenced to 26 years to life in prison on Wednesday for the August 2022 murder and dismemberment of his ex-girlfriend, D’Asia Johnson, 22.

Prosecutors stated that Williams stabbed Johnson multiple times in her torso and back before using a meat cleaver to dismember her body inside her East New York apartment. He then stored her remains in garbage bags and lived in the apartment for nearly a month while attempting to conceal the crime. To mask the odor of decomposition, Williams used cleaning products and towels and kept the windows open.

During the month he resided in the apartment, Williams impersonated Johnson to call out of her job, using her paychecks to fund his lifestyle and bring prostitutes to the residence. He also used her public benefits to purchase food and brought his adolescent son to the apartment while her remains were present.

Johnson was a protected party under an order of protection at the time of the killing. Her remains were discovered only after building personnel conducted a wellness check. Williams was convicted of multiple charges, including second-degree murder, concealment of a human corpse, grand larceny, criminal impersonation, and welfare fraud.