An adult film star has been convicted of murder for the brutal killing of her ex-husband, who was found dead at his residence. Devyn Michaels, aged 47, may face a lifetime in prison for the murder of Johnathan Willette, aged 46, whose body was discovered without a head and covered in chemicals.
The victim’s body was located by his mother, wrapped in blankets and blood, as stated in an arrest report. Prosecutors asserted that the Las Vegas porn star orchestrated the murder out of jealousy towards Willette, who had gained sole custody of their two children.
During Michaels’ trial, prosecutor John Giordani warned jurors to brace themselves for a tumultuous journey as he unveiled crime scene images, including one showing the victim’s body. Michaels confessed to striking Willette with a “candlestick-like” object while providing him a massage, according to court testimony. She admitted to cutting off his head, transporting it in a laundry basket to her residence, and discarding it in a local bin.
Michaels desired to eliminate her ex-husband from her life, despite Willette intending to move back in with her and their son, stated prosecutor Brittni Griffith. The couple had a turbulent relationship, sharing two daughters, marrying in 2012, then divorcing in 2018. Curiously, Michaels later married Willette’s son, Deviere Willette, aged 29, in what she described as a marriage for convenience.
Deviere Willette denied any involvement in his father’s demise, refuting accusations made by Michaels’ defense team. The victim’s head remains unrecovered, and no murder weapon or dismemberment tools were ever located. Michaels’ attorneys argued that she was incapable of decapitating someone of Willette’s stature, emphasizing the absence of witnesses or evidence of the murder.
Michaels previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder under a plea agreement entailing a 15-year prison term with parole eligibility. However, during her sentencing hearing in July, she proclaimed her innocence, prompting prosecutors to proceed with a first-degree murder trial that culminated in a guilty verdict by the jury.
The lead prosecutor alleged that Michaels killed Willette to establish a future with his son and their children. Michaels is scheduled for sentencing on January 8 and could face life imprisonment with or without parole, as prosecutors opted not to pursue the death penalty.