Johnson was last seen at her home in the 1700 block of Ditney Trail in Poineer, Tennessee at appoximately 4:00 p.m. on February 24, 2007. She was preparing for a trip to Kentucky at the time. She has never been heard from again. Her vehicle was found unlocked and abandoned in a parking lot in Oneida, Tennessee on the same day she disappeared. Surveillance cameras of the lot captured images of a man getting out of Johnson's van and leaving in a green Jeep Cherokee that had been hauled there on a black flat-bed trailer. When authorities searched Johnson's home, her purse was missing, as was a pink suitcase she had planned to take on her Kentucky trip. Also missing was a security camera she had set up, and the video cassette tape for the camera.

Johnson's ex-husband, Douglas V. Whisnant, a convicted sex offender with a criminal history dating back to 1971, is the prime suspect in her disappearance. A photograph of him is posted below this case summary. He owns a Jeep Cherokee and a flatbed trailer like the one shown in the camera surveillance footage, Johnson's pink suitcase was found at his own house, and he had previously threatened her life. When police searched his house for evidence, they found a hidden cache of guns. As Whisnant is not legally allowed to own any firearms due to his criminal history, he was charged with possession of illegal weapons.

In February 2008, Whisnant was indicted for first-degree murder, kidnapping and theft in Johnson's case. He was already incarcerated at the time for the weapons charges. Authorities stated the evidence against him included video footage, witness statements, DNA evidence, and physical evidence from Whisnant's home. Johnson's body has not been recovered. Whisnant, who maintains his innocence in her disappearance, is awaiting trial. Foul play is suspected in Johnson's disappearance due to the circumstances involved.

Above: Douglas V. Whisnant