Danielle Cherakiyah Johnson, a woman based in Los Angeles, fatally stabbed her partner, Jaelen Allen Chaney, in their apartment on the day of a solar eclipse. Johnson then proceeded to throw her two children, an 8-month-old baby girl, and her 9-year-old sister, from a moving SUV onto the freeway. The baby was killed during the incident, while the older daughter survived with moderate injuries. Johnson, who was also known as an astrology influencer and recording artist with the moniker “Ayoka,” had posted online before the incident, referring to the eclipse as the “epitome of spiritual warfare.”
Los Angeles police are investigating the case, but they do not see the eclipse as a direct trigger for the killings. Lt. Guy Golan, head of the homicide unit handling the case, emphasized that the motivation behind the violence remains unclear. Johnson posted on social media platforms with themes of apocalypse and changing times, mixed with astrology predictions, conspiracy theories, and positive affirmations. Her online presence included a variety of services like zodiac healing work, an alcohol balancing system, and aura cleanses.
Unfolding in Woodland Hills, about 25 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, the incident raised attention when Johnson crashed her SUV into a tree in Redondo Beach at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Authorities also found candles and cards, possibly tarot cards, inside Johnson’s apartment. The LAPD is considering the crash as a possible suicide attempt. Neighbors of the family, who only encountered them occasionally, expressed shock and sorrow at the tragic event which included the death of a young child.
The solar eclipse, which only showed a partial peak in Southern California, stirred global fears of the apocalypse and spiritual warfare. However, Golan pointed out that Johnson’s reaction to the eclipse was not the typical response. While many people expressed concerns or beliefs about the eclipse online, they did not commit violent acts like Johnson did. The tragedy showcased a disturbing and unexpected turn of events involving a murder-suicide, the death of a child, and a surviving witness of the crime.
Prior to the incident, Johnson did not have a criminal record in California, and there were no reported cases of domestic violence involving the couple. The case unfolded when neighbors called 911 after witnessing the argument and then observing Johnson fleeing the scene with her children. The connection between the murder of Chaney and the harm done to her daughters became apparent when the children were found on the freeway and linked back to the family’s apartment. The LAPD contemplated an Amber Alert for the missing girls, highlighting the urgency and severity of the situation.
As investigators delve into the tragic events, the online content posted by Johnson before the incident is under scrutiny. Her cryptic posts about the eclipse, spirituality, and changing times are being analyzed to understand any potential reasons for the violence. The case paints a picture of a woman who presented a mixture of spiritual beliefs, conspiracy theories, and astrological predictions to her online following. The aftermath of the incident left the community in shock, sparking conversations about mental health, domestic violence, and the impact of social media on individuals’ beliefs and actions.
