Tragedy Strikes Alabama Family as Mother Commits Murder-Suicide, Drowning Her Children

In a heart-wrenching crime that has shocked the community, a mother in Semmes, Alabama took the lives of her two young children before ending her own. Derek Johnson, the devastated father, discovered the bodies of his 2-year-old son Jacob and 5-year-old daughter Mia under a blanket on the sofa in their family home. The children had been drowned by their mother, Nancy Johnson, who also inflicted a fatal throat slash on Mia before hanging herself in a closet. This horrific incident occurred just two days after a judge had ordered Nancy to share custody of the children with Derek.

Derek, 33, spoke with Fox News Digital, sharing his anguish over the loss of his beloved children. "I'm dead inside," he revealed. "I feel lost. I have nothing, absolutely nothing, and I don't know how I'm going to recover." He described Nancy as his "angel," but admitted that she had a history of mental health problems. "She lost her grip on reality," he said. "She didn't want me to have the kids. The kids were hers, and if she had to share them, she was going to take them with her."

The tragedy unfolded on the morning of September 30th when Derek, who had been staying in an RV in the garden, woke up with a bad feeling. Not hearing any sounds from inside the house, he became alarmed. Determined to investigate, he had to drill out the deadbolt to gain access. What he discovered inside shattered his world. "I looked to my right and saw my son and daughter, and they were covered in blankets. It looked like they were taking a nap," he recalled. But when he tried to wake Jacob, he realized the horrifying truth. "I put my hand on my son's back to wake him up and realized he was completely stiff and had foam coming out of his nose and mouth." It was then that Derek noticed Mia's throat had been slashed, sending him into a state of panic.

As he tried to process the unthinkable, Derek stumbled upon Nancy's lifeless body in a closet. Overwhelmed by shock, he immediately called the police. Detectives later revealed that Nancy had drowned the children in the bathtub. However, it appeared that Mia had fought back, leading Nancy to slash her throat before returning her to the water. The tub was filled with red-colored water, a haunting testament to the heinous acts committed.

Derek opened up about the events leading up to the tragedy, revealing the tumultuous nature of his relationship with Nancy. He explained that Nancy had asked for a divorce unexpectedly last Christmas, and he had agreed to her request, even relocating to Washington state for work. However, Nancy's mental state deteriorated rapidly, and she started making false accusations against Derek to the police, including claims that he had poisoned their family. Court records indicate that Derek filed for emergency custody due to Nancy's erratic behavior, which he was granted. Nancy later requested to cancel the emergency order and expressed a desire to reconcile, but Derek now believes that she had already planned to harm their children when the court granted them joint custody.

Derek's sister, Kendra Bandock, created a GoFundMe page to provide support for him during this unimaginably difficult time. In a message on the page, he shared his love for his children and his belief that Nancy was struggling with mental health issues that worsened during the pandemic. Derek also expressed his hopes and dreams for his children's future, emphasizing the love and care they had received throughout their marriage. He now finds himself with a staggering amount of debt and a bathroom that serves as a constant reminder of the tragedy.

The Mobile County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that this was a murder-suicide, with Derek being cleared of any involvement. Sheriff Paul Burch expressed his condolences to the grieving father during a press conference. The community has rallied behind Derek, with the GoFundMe campaign already raising $5,900 to help with funeral expenses.

The loss of Jacob and Mia has left a void in Derek's life that can never be filled. As he mourns their loss, he cherishes the memories of the love and happiness they brought into his life. The Semmes community stands in solidarity with him during this time of immeasurable grief.