Man Pleads No Contest to Murder, Torturing Girlfriend for Two Weeks Before Her Death

A man pleaded no contest to killing his girlfriend inside a Michigan motel in August 2024.

Daniel Varnes, 47, is facing at least 32 years in jail after he pleaded no contest to the murder of Teressa M. Johnson, 46. Police also determined that the victim was tortured extensively before her death.

Per court documents obtained by M Live, Varnes pleaded no contest to second-degree murder, torture, and concealing the death of an individual. He opted for the plea before 3 March, when Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson was supposed to oversee jury selection for the trial.

Acknowledging that Varnes does not admit to any of the crimes he's charged, Jackson accepted the plea based on case documents. Varnes will be almost 80 when he becomes eligible for parole if he gets the minimum sentence.

Drug Dealer's Testimony Exposes Defendant

Varnes was arrested shortly after Erik Lechner, a drug dealer, called 911 about the homicide. In his preliminary examination, Lechner testified to selling Varnes crack cocaine on 31 August 2024. They met at a gas station near Saginaw Township's Rodeway Inn & Suites, where Varnes was staying.

Lechner claimed that Varnes took the drugs and ran off without paying. Varnes told Lechner to go to the motel when the latter called to demand payment. Upon entering the room, Lechner said he noticed Varnes seemed nervous and scared.

Varnes eventually told Lechner that there was 'this situation going on' while pointing to the bed, where something was covered with a blanket. Varnes said 'you know exactly what that is' when Lechner asked about the object.

Victim Looked Like 'She's Been Dead for Days'

Lechner said he saw Johnson when Varnes lifted the covers. The victim looked like 'she had been dead for several days', he added.

According to Lechner's testimony, Varnes claimed that Johnson was badly injured after visiting acquaintances in Flint. Varnes said he tended to Johnson's injuries, but the latter died in bed shortly after.

Lechner claimed that Varnes suggested disposing of the body, by hinting that it was easy to 'make her disappear' because no one knew she was staying in the motel. Lechner left and told friends about what he saw. He called 911 past midnight on 1 September.

Responders found Johnson's body mutilated and malnourished. Her face and ears were bloodied, her body and neck severely bruised.

Varnes also called 911, threatening suicide just before police arrived. Officers traced the call to an area between the hotel and the nearby interstate. Police found him hiding in the woods at about 4:00pm, more than 12 hours after they found Johnson's body.

Victim Was Tortured for Two Weeks Before Death

While being interviewed by Saginaw Township Police Detective Leon Wilson, Varnes admitted that he abused Johnson for over two weeks before her death. 'He had said at one point that he "beat the (expletive) out of her,"' Wilson testified. 'At one point in the conversation, he said he hit her at least 10 times.'

Michigan State Police found a pair of small scissors, a tyre plug, a ratchet, a diagonal cutter, screwdrivers, and pliers inside Varnes' hotel room. Wilson said all the tools had traces of blood that likely belonged to Johnson.

Varnes is scheduled for sentencing on 13 April.