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Man Who Held Meth-Fueled ‘Death Party’ For His Wife Gets Prison Time
Duane Johnson originally faced a third-degree murder charge for taking his sick wife Debra from a medical facility and partying with her until she died.
The Minnesota man who infamously gave his dying wife a meth-fueled “death party,” complete with a Quiet Riot soundtrack, has been given prison time.
In January, Duane Johnson, now 59, of Searles called police to report the death of his wife, 69-year-old Debra Lynn Johnson after he broke her out of a nursing home to party until she died.
The widow pleaded guilty in June to felony neglect charge. He was sentenced to three years in prison as part of that plea deal, according to the Free Press. He was given credit for 201 days already served behind bars. By pleading guilty, a third-degree murder charge was dismissed.
Debra had diabetes, mental health issues, and had recently suffered two heart attacks. Duane removed Debra from a medical care center against the advice of doctors, according to the Mankato Free Press. After taking her home, the couple allegedly did meth and had sex to the tune of Quiet Riot’s 1983 album “Metal Health (Bang Your Head).”
When police arrived on the scene, Duane Johnson was naked, according to the Mankato Free Press, a publication from South-Central Minnesota. He had wrapped his wife’s body in a bed sheet “as per the Old Testament,” he told investigators, according to a criminal complaint cited by WCCO. On their front door of their home the phrase “Death Parde God Hell” had been painted. That phrase, and the story in general, inspired a bizarre T-shirt and possibly music. Duane appeared to be laughing in his mugshot.
An autopsy found Debra died of meth toxicity, the Free Press reports.
Duane explained back in January that he didn’t call 911 when his spouse was dying in order to respect her wishes. Several guns and ammunition were allegedly found inside the couple’s home, some of which were stolen.
He originally faced 25 years in prison when he was still facing a third-degree murder charge. The Quiet Riot fan has prior convictions for assault and DWI.
