Body found in Colonial Heights is identified as missing Midlothian man, police say

Bill Atkinson, The Progress-Index
·1 min read

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Police say a body found last month in a wooded area of the city has been identified as a missing man from northern Chesterfield County.

Colonial Heights Police Major Rob Ruxer said that state police helped the city identify the body earlier this week as that of 19-year-old Marcus James Johnson of Midlothian. Johnson was reported missing by his family Nov. 27, 11 days after he was last seen leaving his home on Esquire Road, Ruxer said in an email. He was reportedly wearing blue jeans, a white puffer jacket, a red cap, and Toon Squad tennis shoes.

Marcus James Johnson, 19, was last seen leaving his Midlothian home on Nov. 16. A body found Dec. 21 in Colonial Heights has been identified as him.
Marcus James Johnson, 19, was last seen leaving his Midlothian home on Nov. 16. A body found Dec. 21 in Colonial Heights has been identified as him.

His body was found Dec. 21 in a wooded area on Yacht Basin Drive. It was taken to the state medical examiner's office in Richmond for autopsy and positive identification.

His death has been determined to be a homicide. Ruxer said authorities believe he was killed in another location and his body brought to the spot in Colonial Heights.

An investigation is continuing into the discovery. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Christopher Velasquez at (804) 520-9329 or velasquezc@colonialheightsva.gov.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Colonial Heights Police identify body found last month as missing man