Detectives searched the property and found a mound of "freshly turned-over ground," not far from where Peters had his residence. The area was then sifted through and dug up. Her body was recovered. Police said the decomposed body had signs of blunt force trauma. It also appears that Johnson may have been strangled. Police questioned Peters, who denied any knowledge of what happened to Johnson. "I don't know, I hope nothing bad happened to her," Peters told detectives at the time. A warrant for Peters’ arrest was issued March 24 and included a premeditated murder charge linked to Johnson’s homicide. No motive was given.