Michigan Man Sentenced After Killing Visually Impaired Girlfriend, Keeping Body in Motel Room for Days

A 47-year-old man, Daniel J. Varnes, was sentenced to 32 years in a state correctional facility for torturing and killing his visually impaired girlfriend, Teressa M. Johnson, in a motel room near Detroit. The man abused his girlfriend for days before killing her and then staying with her body in the motel room.

Varnes pleaded no contest on March 3 to one count of each of second-degree murder, torture, and concealing the death of Johnson, according to the court records. He reached a deal with the prosecutor to serve 32 years in prison.

Johnson’s mutilated body was discovered at the Rodeway Inn and Suites in the 4900 block of St. Mary’s Lane in Saginaw, which is about 100 miles northwest of Detroit, in the early hours of September 2024.

According to MLive, a drug dealer who met Varnes at a nearby gas station to sell him crack discovered the body. Varnes allegedly took the drugs and ran without paying the dealer the agreed-upon amount of $60. The dealer called Varnes, who told him to come to the motel room to settle the payment.

The dealer testified that he saw a human body on the bed inside the room, covered with blankets, as Varnes tried to explain why he stole the drugs. Varnes pointed to the bed and told the dealer that “he had a situation going on.” The dealer then asked what was beneath the covers, to which Varnes replied, “You know exactly what that is,” according to MLive.

Varnes then removed the blankets, revealing Johnson’s body, which the dealer said appeared to have been dead for a few days. Varnes claimed Johnson died from the injuries she had sustained while visiting a friend a few days earlier. Not knowing anyone knew Johnson was with him, Varnes indicated that it would be easy to dispose of her body.

The dealer left and called 911. Police arrived shortly after, and Varnes fled on foot into the nearby forest. Authorities located him a few hours later in the woods.

During an interview with the detectives, Varnes admitted to committing several acts of brutality against Johnson, according to the prosecutors. These acts reportedly included beating her with fists, boots, and various objects. Varnes also used a needle and nose-pillar to silence her.

The detective testified that Varnes said at one point, "I beat the s--- out of her."

Police recovered a pair of scissors, a ratchet, a side cutter, screwdrivers, and pillars, all of which reportedly tested positive for Johnson’s blood.