Tucson Police: Couple Found Dead in Suspected Murder-Suicide After History of Domestic Violence
TUCSON, Ariz. – The bodies of a couple with a known history of domestic violence were discovered this week in a house on Tucson’s north side, according to police.
At around 12:45 p.m. Monday, officers were called to a residence in the 2800 block of North Desert Avenue, near North Swan Road and East Glenn Street. Inside the home, they found Michelle Ohnesorgen Johnson, 47, and Michael Martinez Duran, 48, both dead from gunshot wounds.
Initial findings from the investigation suggest that Duran shot Johnson before turning the gun on himself, police confirmed in a news release.
The tragedy has drawn attention not only for its devastating outcome but also for the troubling history between the couple. Earlier this week, the Pima County Attorney’s Office acknowledged the killing in a statement that highlighted the dangers of domestic violence.
“A defendant that our office was prosecuting for two felony cases regarding domestic violence strangulation is now reported to have killed the same victim and then killed himself,” the release stated. “This is a reminder of how very dangerous and complex domestic violence cases can be.”
Court records show that Duran faced multiple charges tied to domestic violence against Johnson, underscoring the persistent risks survivors face even after seeking legal protection. Advocates note that situations involving repeat abuse can escalate quickly and unpredictably, with outcomes that are often tragic.
For the Tucson community, the deaths of Johnson and Duran are a sobering reminder of the devastating impact domestic violence has on families, neighborhoods, and victims who too often struggle to find safety despite legal intervention.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing, though no other suspects are being sought. Resources for domestic violence survivors and their families are being shared widely in the wake of the incident, with officials urging anyone in unsafe situations to seek immediate help.
Advocates stress that domestic violence is rarely an isolated problem—it is a pattern of control and harm that can escalate to deadly violence. The case of Johnson and Duran stands as a painful example of that reality.