Ohio Woman Sentenced for Strangling Girlfriend’s 8-Year-Old Son and Hiding His Body
A shocking case out of Columbus, Ohio: 34-year-old Johnna Lowe will spend life in prison—parole possible after 15 years—for the murder and abuse of her girlfriend’s 8-year-old son, Martonio Wilder.
It started when Martonio’s mother, Lashanda Wilder, reported him missing last June. She told police she’d tucked him in and assumed he ran away. But a search turned tragic—officers discovered Martonio’s body stuffed inside a trash bag in the attic of his own home.
By the time police arrived, Lowe, Wilder, and two other children had vanished. Authorities quickly issued an Amber Alert for the missing kids, who were later found safe with Lowe’s mother.
The details only grew more horrific. An autopsy revealed Martonio died from asphyxiation by neck compression. He was also the victim of ongoing abuse: malnourished, dehydrated, and covered in bruises and cuts. The child weighed just 35 pounds at the time of his death—his bones clearly visible.
On June 29, Johnna Lowe turned herself in. She has now pleaded guilty to murder and gross abuse of a corpse. Meanwhile, Lashanda Wilder faces multiple charges, including murder and child endangerment. Her next court date is July 15.
This heartbreaking story is a call to look out for vulnerable children in your community—because silence can cost a life.
