An individual involved in the adult film industry has been convicted of murder for the killing of her former spouse, who was found dead at his residence. Devyn Michaels, aged 47, now faces the possibility of a life sentence for the murder of Johnathan Willette, aged 46, whose body, missing its head, was discovered in his home covered in chemicals.
The arrest report stated that Willette’s body, wrapped in blankets and showing signs of blood, was found by his mother. Prosecutors alleged that the motive behind the crime was Michaels’ jealousy towards Willette gaining sole custody of their two children, leading her to carry out the heinous act.
During Michaels’ trial, prosecutor John Giordani presented evidence, including crime scene photos, to the jurors, preparing them for a detailed account of the events. Michaels admitted to striking Willette with a candlestick-like object while giving him a massage, leading to his death. She then proceeded to decapitate him and dispose of his head in a laundry basket at her residence.
The court heard that Michaels orchestrated the murder due to her desire to eliminate Willette from her life, despite him planning to move back in with her and their son. Michaels and Willette had a tumultuous relationship, sharing two daughters before their divorce in 2018. In a bizarre turn of events, Michaels later married Willette’s son, Deviere Willette, in a marriage she described as one of convenience.
Deviere Willette, the son, denied any involvement in his father’s death, refuting claims made by Michaels’ defense team. The murder weapon and tools used in the dismemberment were never recovered, and no witnesses or evidence directly linked Deviere to the crime scene.
Michaels initially pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea deal but later retracted her plea, asserting her innocence. This led to a first-degree murder trial, resulting in her recent guilty verdict. The lead prosecutor stated that Michaels committed the murder to pursue a future with her children and Deviere, emphasizing her motive for eliminating Willette from the picture.
Michaels is set to be sentenced on January 8 and could face a life sentence with or without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors did not pursue the death penalty in this case.