A 22-year-old Medford man is being held without bail after police said he admitted to killing a woman who was reported missing two months ago.
Chad Johnson
Chad Johnson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday in Suffolk County Court in Central Islip.
Police said Johnson led them to a shallow grave in a wooded area off the Long Island Expressway in Medford, where they found the body of 26-year-old Jennifer Papain of North Patchogue, who was missing since March 24.
Homicide Squad detectives said Johnson found Papain on Craigslist, hired her for sex and then killed her.
“He hired her for a sex act and at a certain point during their encounter he wanted his money back … which led him to choke the victim to death,” said Detective Sgt. Robert Doyle of the Homicide Squad. He added that in the past, Johnson has faced charges for choking other people.
In relation to the Papain case, Johnson was also charged with patronizing a prostitute, driving without a license and marijuana possession.
Attorney William Ferris said his client has a “very strong defense,” but declined to elaborate.
With Associated Press
