Woman missing for 7 months is found dead in Ohio yard, officials say. Man charged
An Ohio man was indicted after officials found a missing woman’s body in a backyard.
Joseph Littlejohn, 21, is charged with one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of felonious assault, one count of gross abuse of a corpse and one count of having weapons while under disability, according to a Feb. 14 news release from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Contact information for Littlejohn’s attorney was not immediately available.
On Oct. 26, 2023, Michelle Arnold, 23, was reported missing in Warrensville Heights, prosecutors said.
In June 2024, police searched the remains of Littlejohn’s home in East Cleveland after the home burned down in February.
In the basement, investigators found Arnold’s blood, according to prosecutors. Then, an anonymous tip led police to another residence.
Investigators searched that property and found Arnold’s remains in the backyard, according to prosecutors.
Then, investigators searched a car that belonged to Littlejohn’s mother. Officials believed the vehicle was used to transport Arnold’s body from Littlejohn’s home to the location where her remains were found, prosecutors said.
“During the search warrant, police discovered the lining of the trunk had been removed and swabbed the vehicle for DNA. Both Arnold’s DNA, in the form of blood, and Littlejohn’s DNA were located in the trunk of the vehicle,” according to prosecutors.
Arnold’s sister told WEWS she was never in trouble and didn’t deserve what happened to her.
“She (Michelle) was cool. She was funny,” Ebony Arnold told the news outlet. “She was giving and caring and loving. Just the person that’s gonna make you smile and make you laugh…just brighten the mood.”
Investigators used DNA evidence, phone records, social media and witness testimony to link Littlejohn to Arnold’s death, prosecutors said.
“Joseph Littlejohn is an incredibly cruel and violent individual,” prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley said. “To date, he has murdered two people and traumatized multiple others. Clearly, he has no regard for human life and should remain locked up for the rest of his.”
Littlejohn has two current pending cases in which he’s charged with aggravated murder, multiple aggravated robberies and multiple failures to comply, prosecutors said.
He was given a $1.5 million bond, court records show.
This story was originally published February 16, 2025 at 1:45 PM with the headline "Woman missing for 7 months is found dead in Ohio yard, officials say. Man charged."
