Michigan brothers who killed disabled mom and 11-year-old daughter at their home arrested 5 years after murder
DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Two brothers have been arrested in connection with the murder of a disabled mother and her 11-year-old daughter in Michigan. Authorities arrested 35-year-old Henry Johnson on murder charges on September 15, just weeks after taking into custody his brother Tony Johnson, 40, in connection with the deaths.
In July 2013, 47-year-old Tina Geiger and her daughter Kristina were found dead in their apartment with multiple stab wounds. The mother-daughter duo was developmentally disabled, but Tina was capable of taking care of herself and Kristina, the Detroit Free Press reported. A social worker who regularly worked with the family grew concerned after not hearing from the mother in a while, and immediately alerted the authorities. Their bodies were discovered shortly after.
Henry Johnson was apprehended at his Detroit home and is currently being held on two counts of homicide open murder, the Clinton Township Police Department said in a statement on Wednesday, September 16. His brother Tony Johnson is also facing homicide charges, which were brought against him after he was found to be a match for a bloody handprint found at Geiger's residence, according to the Free Press.
It emerged that Henry Johnson used to live in the same apartment complex as the mother and daughter duo, and was found to have moved out of the neighborhood just days after the double homicide. Surveillance cameras captured the brothers interacting with the victims at a nearby 7-Eleven shortly before they were killed. While investigators are yet to establish a possible motive in the killings, there were reportedly no signs of forced entry at the Geigers' Michigan home.
Henry Johnson's Attorney Sherriee Detzler spoke at his arraignment on September 16, noting how he is married with six children and had been unemployed but had recently been summoned back to work. She requested for an appropriate bond and for the magistrate to consider a GPS tether for her client. "I understand the seriousness, and my client does as well," she said, adding that Henry had no other criminal charges since early in 2000.
According to the Free Press, the suspect will be released with a GPS tether if he is able to post a $500,000 bond — on the condition that he does not possess weapons or ammunition. He is next scheduled to appear in court on September 30, per the report.
Little Kristina Geiger had been attending Glen H Peters, a school within the Macomb Intermediate School District, at the time of her death. Speaking to the Free Press shortly after the tragedy, the school's principal said Krissy was a cheerleader with “an infectious smile” who always "worked hard and wanted to please others." Meanwhile, he described Tina Geiger as someone who was “always on top of things" and worked hard at being a mom.
Court records from 2010 indicate that Tina had bipolar disorder and mild mental retardation. Despite this, the single mother was able to live on her own, visit nearby stores, as well as take care of her daughter. Neighors told the paper that Krissy went everywhere with her doting mother.