Christopher Johnson was murdered on January 5, 2019, at the age of 27. His death was the first murder of 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana—a year where the city saw a record of 154 homicides. His family thinks he may have known the person who murdered him.

Did Christopher Johnson know his killer?

Christopher Johnson came from a large Indianapolis family. He was particularly close with his mother, LaChelle Norton, who affectionately called him “Shook Nook” since he was a newborn, because of his pronounced dimples. LaChelle gushes about Christopher, saying: “If you would ask him, he would give it. If you need to go somewhere, he would take you. He would give you a place to stay. He would feed you.”

Because of Christopher’s close bond with his mother, LaChelle immediately felt that something was odd when he didn’t return her calls on Saturday, January 5, 2019.

The day Christopher was killed.

It’s believed that Christopher was in the process of moving, but despite his busy schedule, LaChelle and Christopher routinely spoke over the phone daily—even if it was just to say hello to each other. Throughout the day on January 5, LaChelle grew increasingly worried, and by 6:00 PM, she asked her husband and Christopher’s step-dad, Brian Norton, to go over to his Sharon Avenue home on the city’s northwest side to check in on him. Brian agreed and headed over to the house. When Brian made it to his stepson’s place, he made an unfortunate discovery.

When Christopher was discovered.

When Brian arrived at his stepson’s residence, he first noticed that the door to enter the home was unlocked. Once stepping inside, he immediately saw the body of Christopher's friend, 28-year-old Kenneth Valentine in the hallway of the home. Going further into the residence, Brian discovers Christopher Johnson dead in another room. Both Kenneth and Christopher were stabbed to death. By 6:30PM, Indianapolis Police arrive at the house and begin to process the scene. LaChelle believes that her son may have known his killer, or his kindness was taken advantage of, leading him to lose his life.

Where the case stands today.

Christopher's case remains unsolved. His family is still fighting for justice for Christopher, and LaChelle has routinely spoken with reporters pleading through media outlets for her son’s killer and Kenneth’s killer to come forward. "Turn yourself in and, you know, just do the right thing and come forward and say 'Hey, I did this,' or 'Hey, I know who did this,'" LaChelle has said.

If you have any information regarding Christopher’s case please, contact Indianapolis Police at (317)-327-3475; there is a $2,500 reward for any information resulting in an arrest.