Beth Johnson
Updated: Mar 4
**CASE RESOLVED**
Last seen on December 25, 2016
Beth Johnson wasn’t reported missing until March 2017 by her son who made a request with police to do a welfare check. She resided in Nelson, Wisconsin.
Prior to living in Nelson, Wisconsin, Beth lived near the twin cities and in Wabasha, Minnesota. Beth may have traveled to Minnesota after her disappearance. There is little information about Beth’s case.
Beth is a Caucasian female with red hair and blue eyes. She has no teeth and rarely wears her dentures. Beth is known to walk on her tiptoes. Beth has a tattoo of a yellow, green and brown sunflower with a date in the center on her right shoulder, and a tattoo on the left-front waist area of a butterfly.
Any leads or information should be directed to:
Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Deputy Lee Engfer
608-685-4433
Wisconsin Department of Justice
Special Agent Adam Frederick
715-839-3830
You can find more on NAMUS: National Missing and Unidentified Person System Case M43061
Sources:
***UPDATES***
June 2020
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has identified remains that were found in Blaine, Minnesota to be Beth Johnson.
The DOJ also says Randall Merrick of Rochester, Minnesota has been charged with first degree intentional homicide, domestic abuse and hiding a corpse.
WEAU June 22, 2020
DOJ: Blaine, Minnesota remains identified as Beth Johnson
May 2021
A trial date has been set for Randall Merrick, who has been charged with first-degree murder and hiding a corpse. Jury selection is planned to begin the week of December 6th, 2021.
Source:
Rochester’s News Talk KROC: May 9th, 2021
Trial Date Set For Rochester Murder Case
November 2021
On November 8th, Randall Merrick plead guilty to Beth's murder. The charge was amended from intentional homicide to 1st degree reckless homicide.
Sources:
News 18 WQOW: November 10th, 2021
Plea bargain reached in Buffalo County cold case murder
WEAU 13 News: November 10th, 2021
Rochester man pleads guilty of killing Buffalo County woman
March 2022
On March 18, 2022, Randall Q. Merrick was sentenced in Buffalo County Circuit Court in Wisconsin to 30 years in state prison followed by 20 years of supervision.
Post Bulletin: March 21, 2022
Rochester man sentenced on murder charge in Wisconsin
**CASE RESOLVED**