As part of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s efforts to highlight the state’s unsolved murders, his office is asking for help with a 1991 Akron case of a young woman who was sexually assaulted, stabbed and set on fire.
Akron police said they have DNA samples in 24-year-old Rachael Johnson’s slaying, but haven’t been able to match them to anyone. They think the woman’s killer is still at large and might have told someone about the crime.
They’re hoping anyone with information will come forward.
Johnson, who lived in Tallmadge and was the mother of a 3-year-old daughter, was last seen getting into a car — or being forced into a car — in a convenience store parking lot at Dan Street and Fouse Avenue on March 30, 1991. She had stopped at the intersection after her friend’s car had a flat tire.
The friend drove away on the flat tire while Johnson remained. Her body was found later that day.
Police have said Johnson was raped, stabbed 10 times in the chest, beaten and slashed across the neck. Her body was dumped on Weller Street and set on fire.
At the time, several veteran police officers said the slaying was the most vicious murder they had seen.
“We do have DNA evidence in this case and we have tested dozens of possible suspects, but we have not yet found a match,” Akron police Detective James Pasheilich said Thursday. “We believe the person who committed this horrific crime is still out there and may have talked with someone about the crime.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Akron police at 330-375-2490. Anonymous tips for this or any crime can be left at http://ci.akron.oh.us/ASP/tip.html.
Information may also be provided anonymously by calling Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS(2677). Tipsters might qualify for a cash reward.
