Cape Coral, Florida —A devastating family tragedy has shaken the Cape Coral community after authorities confirmed that 28-year-old Devin Bryant Johnson brutally murdered his mother, 69-year-old Rosemary Johnson, inside her home before leading police on a dramatic multi-county chase that ended in a violent arrest.
Officials with the Cape Coral Police Department (CCPD) announced late Tuesday that Johnson has been formally charged with second-degree murder, along with a series of additional charges connected to his attempted flight and resistance during arrest.
A Daughter’s Heartbreaking Discovery
The chain of events began when Rosemary’s daughter became worried after repeated attempts to contact her mother went unanswered. Concerned for her safety, she drove to her home on 4338 Jacaranda Parkway W.
What she found was every family member’s worst nightmare. Bloody footprints trailed across the floor, leading to a bedroom where her mother’s lifeless body was found hidden under a blanket. Emergency dispatch communications later confirmed that Rosemary had sustained multiple stab wounds to the head and neck, consistent with a violent and deliberate attack.
Authorities responded to the residence around 1:25 p.m., immediately securing the scene and launching a manhunt for Rosemary’s son, who had already fled.
Manhunt for Devin Johnson
Investigators quickly identified Devin Bryant Johnson as the prime suspect. Witnesses and evidence suggested he had left the home just minutes before officers arrived, driving a 2019 gray Toyota Corolla.
A “Be On The Lookout” (BOLO) alert was quickly issued across Southwest Florida. By late afternoon, deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) spotted Johnson’s vehicle traveling along Treeline Avenue near Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
When law enforcement attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Johnson fled, leading to a high-speed pursuit. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) briefly joined in before the chase was terminated for public safety. However, law enforcement aircraft continued to track Johnson as he crossed into Collier County.
Chase Ends in Naples
The pursuit resumed when Collier County Sheriff’s deputies intercepted Johnson in North Naples along U.S. 41. Officers deployed stop sticks near Wiggins Pass Road, successfully deflating the tires of Johnson’s vehicle.
Despite this, Johnson continued driving before abandoning the car behind Riverchase Plaza, located at Tamiami Trail North and Immokalee Road. From there, he attempted to flee on foot.
Deputies quickly closed in, but Johnson resisted aggressively. According to arrest reports, he grabbed a deputy’s shirt and tried to seize the officer’s firearm during the struggle. A Cape Coral Police K9 was deployed to subdue him, but Johnson reportedly attempted to choke the dog while resisting arrest.
It took multiple deputies to finally bring him under control.
Evidence Collected
Investigators seized Johnson’s abandoned Toyota Corolla, where they found blood both inside and outside the vehicle. His shoes were also heavily stained with blood, tying him directly to the scene of the murder.
Johnson was transported to NCH North Naples Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the K9 encounter before being taken to the Naples Jail Center.
Additional Charges
Beyond the murder charge, Johnson now faces a list of additional felonies, including:
- Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement
- Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer
- Attempting to Take a Law Enforcement Firearm
- Animal Cruelty Against a Police Dog
Court records reveal that prosecutors intend to pursue these charges aggressively, citing the extreme danger Johnson posed to both the public and law enforcement during the manhunt.
Troubled Past and Warning Signs
Family members confirmed to detectives that Johnson had a long history of domestic violence and substance abuse. Chillingly, he had been arrested twice before for physically attacking his mother, Rosemary.
Investigators also uncovered that, earlier on the day of the killing, Johnson had purchased a plane ticket to Costa Rica, suggesting that he may have been planning to flee the country after committing the crime.
Remembering Rosemary Johnson
While the criminal case now moves forward, the community is left grieving the loss of Rosemary Johnson.
Family members described her as a kind, caring, and selfless woman, devoted to her children and neighbors. One relative shared through tears:
“My mother, Rosemary Johnson, 69, was murdered September 16, 2025, in Cape Coral, Florida. My younger brother Devin has been arrested and charged with homicide. This is something no family should ever have to go through.”
Neighbors also expressed their sorrow, recalling Rosemary as “the sweetest soul” who always greeted everyone with a smile and cared deeply for those around her.
Community in Shock
The killing has left many in Cape Coral reeling. Advocates for domestic violence prevention have pointed to this case as a painful reminder of how quickly family disputes can escalate into deadly violence when warning signs are ignored.
As of Thursday, Devin Johnson remains held without bond at the Naples Jail Center. The case will now proceed through the courts, with prosecutors expected to argue for the harshest penalties under Florida law.
For the Johnson family, however, the road to healing has only just begun.
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