Los Angeles police are investigating a tragic incident in which a woman fatally stabbed her partner in their apartment and later threw her two children from a moving SUV onto the freeway, resulting in the death of her infant daughter. The woman, identified as Danielle Cherakiyah Johnson, was an astrologer who had made concerning posts online in the days leading up to the violence. While Johnson’s activity on social media has been reviewed by detectives, they do not consider the solar eclipse, which occurred around the same time as the incident, to be a factor in the slayings as they are unclear on the motive behind her actions.
The argument between Johnson and her partner, Jaelen Allen Chaney, took place in the early hours of Monday in their Woodland Hills apartment. Following the stabbing, Johnson fled with her two children in a Porsche Cayenne and threw them from the vehicle onto the freeway. Tragically, her infant daughter was pronounced dead at the scene, while her older daughter sustained moderate injuries. Johnson later crashed the vehicle in Redondo Beach, leading authorities to investigate the crash as a potential suicide attempt. There were no prior records of police involvement at the couple’s apartment, and Johnson did not have a criminal record in California related to domestic violence.
Johnson’s social media posts in the days leading up to the incident included a mix of astrological predictions, conspiracy theories, and warnings about the apocalypse. Despite the concerning messages, there were no indications of reported domestic violence or criminal behavior from Johnson in the past. Neighbors who saw Johnson and her children occasionally described her as standoffish, and the situation was shocking and heartbreaking to those who interacted with the family. The investigation uncovered candles and cards inside the apartment, possibly related to Johnson’s interest in astrology.
In connection with the incident, the solar eclipse occurred, with its path reaching from Mexico to Canada, causing excitement and concerns about the end of the world among spectators. While Johnson had made ominous posts online referencing the eclipse, detectives did not find a direct link between the event and the violent actions she later took towards her family. Despite fears and worries expressed by others online about the eclipse and its spiritual significance, there have been no other reported incidents of violence associated with the celestial event. The LAPD is still investigating the case, trying to understand the motivation behind Johnson’s actions and the tragic loss of her infant daughter.
