An individual who starred in adult films and was involved in a horrific incident resulting in the death of her former spouse, subsequent to marrying her stepson, has been convicted of murder. Devyn Michaels, aged 47, now faces the possibility of a life sentence for the killing of Johnathan Willette, aged 46, whose body, missing its head, was found with chemical substances at his residence.
The discovery of Willette’s body, wrapped in blankets and displaying signs of violence, was made by his distressed mother as documented in an arrest report. Prosecutors revealed that the motive behind the crime, orchestrated by the pornographic actress from Las Vegas, was rooted in jealousy towards Willette, particularly triggered by his gaining sole custody of their shared children.
During Michaels’ trial, prosecutor John Giordani cautioned the jurors to brace themselves for a tumultuous journey as he presented visual evidence from the crime scene, including images of the victim’s body. Michaels admitted to striking Willette with an object resembling a candlestick while providing him a massage in his bedroom, as per court footage played during the proceedings.
Following the assault, Michaels proceeded to decapitate her ex-husband and transport his head in a laundry basket to her own residence. Subsequently, she disposed of the severed head in a local bin after committing the crime in August 2023. Prosecutors emphasized that Michaels felt compelled to eliminate her ex-husband despite his impending return to live with her and their son.
Michaels and Willette’s relationship had been tumultuous, marked by periods of separation and reunion, and they shared two daughters. Despite divorcing in 2018, Michaels later remarried Willette’s son, Deviere Willette, aged 29, under the guise of a convenience marriage, as per court testimonies.
Deviere, testifying in court, vehemently denied any involvement in his father’s demise, countering attempts by Michaels’ legal team to implicate him as a suspect. The absence of concrete evidence linking Deviere to the crime scene, such as phone records or video footage, further supported his innocence.
Despite the absence of Willette’s head or the murder weapon used in the crime, Michaels’ defense argued against her physical capability to decapitate a person of Willette’s stature. Furthermore, they highlighted the lack of witnesses to the murder or any audible confirmation of the act.
Initially pleading guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea agreement carrying a 15-year prison term with parole eligibility, Michaels later reversed her stance during a sentencing hearing in July, asserting her innocence. Consequently, the prosecution proceeded with a first-degree murder trial, culminating in the recent guilty verdict by the jurors.
During the trial’s opening statements, the lead prosecutor expounded on Michaels’ motive, emphasizing her desire to build a future with her children and Deviere, necessitating Willette’s removal from the equation. The prosecutor illustrated this narrative by showcasing a family portrait featuring Michaels, Deviere, and the children.
Michaels is scheduled for sentencing on January 8, facing the possibility of life imprisonment with or without parole, as the prosecution refrained from pursuing the death penalty.
