Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley reports the August 10 arrest of a Geismar man following the death of his estranged wife on Sunday night. David Johnson, 38, formerly of 12143 Canterbury Park, Geismar, is charged with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, violation of a protective order and aggravated burglary after he broke into his estranges wife’s residence, armed himself and murdered her.

Ascension deputies responded to a disturbance call at the Canterbury Trails address where they found a shattered door, but no one inside of the residence. As deputies conducted a further search of the property they located the body of the deceased female victim in the back yard of the residence. The victim, identified as Monica Johnson, 45, of 12143 Canterbury Park, had apparently been bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat.

Investigation by sheriff’s office detectives revealed David Johnson broke into the residence and armed himself with a baseball bat. Johnson used the bat to murder his estranged wife and to beat another individual that was attempting to aid her. Johnson then fled the area.

Johnson was arrested around 1am by deputies of the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office after matching the description of a person of interest issued by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Ascension Sheriff’s office records indicate a history of domestic violence abuse at the residence and in July of this year, Monica Johnson had obtained a restraining order against David Johnson. The order was still active at the time of her death.

Johnson was booked into the Ascension Parish jail where he is awaiting arraignment.