Aja Johnson Missing

It’s been 60 days today since Aja Johnson was abducted and her mother Tonya was found beaten to death inside an RV. Since then, investigators in Oklahoma have issued a warrant for Lester Hobbs arrest charging him with first degree murder and kidnapping. I spoke with Deputy U.S. Marshal Arthur Templeton out of the Lawton office again today, and he said there has been no activity on the case. A couple of weeks ago he stated that they have, “not had anything viable on the vehicle, Aja Johnson, or Lester Hobbs,” and sadly that is still the case today.  Templteton did mention that he has a meeting with the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigations later today, and they have plans to discuss new ideas to keep this case in the spotlight.

When this case originally broke, there was a massive ice storm that swept through most of the state of Oklahoma. The storm paralyzed the region for 8 – 14 days. During that period, many folks were without power, so some have not even heard about the Amber Alert or the murder.  That ice storm is long gone, and there are still no signs of this child.

Lester Hobbs (new photo released by police)

Hobbs is a convicted felon, and according to court documents, was not supposed to have any contact with Aja. Police say they’ve received leads about possible sightings of Hobbs, the United States Marshals service sex offender unit is involved, but so far nothing has panned out. The Oklahoma Bureau of Investigations and the United States Marshal Service are offering a $20,000 reward, in hopes that it will help bring them the information they need to find this child.

According to a press release issued from the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation we are learning more about Hobbs and his habits. The release says, “From the hundreds of interviews we have conducted so far, a very clear picture of Lester Hobbs is unfolding. Hobbs can survive on very little money. In fact, his needs seem to be met with only cigarettes, liquor, and very little food. He is a self-taught automobile mechanic and will offer to do minor car repairs for little money. He has worked in the past in small automotive garages and as a mechanic in service stations. He also likes to frequent bars and will hustle a game of pool for money. He likes to cruise the Internet searching for lonely women. If Hobbs no longer has a vehicle, he will travel across the country by bus or will hitchhike. Hobbs’ own family members say he always considers himself the victim and never takes responsibility for his actions. They describe him as a cowering abuser who preys on women and children. His criminal record supports this. As to Aja’s kidnapping, this is in no way a custodial kidnapping where a non-custodial parent runs away with their own child. As you see in photographs, Hobbs like to change his appearance, ever so slightly, with hair color and with the way he grows facial hair. There are two physical characteristics, though, that will not be easy to hide: tattoos and a broken nose. He has the word “ROSE” tattooed across the top of the fingers of his right hand and “LOVE” tattooed across the top of the fingers of his left hand.

Lester Hobbs (new photo released by police)

His nose is visibly cooked from being broken sometime in the past. This is clearly shown in the photograph of him lying in the bed. Another photograph shows Hobbs sitting behind Aja on a four-wheeler. This photograph was taken just moments before they drove to the Wal-Mart in Lawton where the photograph of the car was obtained. Tonya Hobbs filed a protective order just months before she was murdered. That protective order documents that Lester Hobbs threatened to kill her children with a hammer. It now appears that Lester Hobbs carried out that threat and actually used a hammer to kill his wife.”

I spoke with Alice Dunkin, Tonya Hobbs mother, and missing 7-year-old Aja Johnson’s grandmother. She told me she screamed bloody murder and “blew up” when she learned her daughter was killed. It is devastating to Alice, especially because she said her son was shot and killed nearly three years ago, and now she has to go through this with her daughter. Along with losing both of her children, Alice fears what may happen to her granddaughter Aja.

Lester Hobbs (new photo from police)

“Lester does not like Aja. He is mean to Aja. He has made her eat jalapeño peppers, and has a paddle with her name on it. I’ve seen bruises he has left on her little behind. I don’t know why, or if it’s her medical problem, or what. If she doesn’t take her medication, she’s climbing the wall.”

Aja Johnson is still missing, and her life is in danger. Investigators believe the 7-year-old was abducted by Lester Hobbs, 47, after her mother’s murder over the weekend. The last time either Aja or Hobbs were seen was Saturday, January 23, 2009 around 6 p.m. Lester Hobbs, a convicted felon, wanted to kill his daughter with a hammer according to a police report made by Aja’s mother. Hobbs is currently wanted for a failure to appear warrant out of Lincoln County, Oklahoma for not showing up for his DUI case last month. Now, there is now a second warrant for the murder of Tonya Hobbs and the abduction of Aja Johnson. Official cause of death has not been released, but it appears at this time Tonya died from blunt force trauma to her body. In other words, she may have been beaten to death.

Lester Hobbs (wanted) Aja Johnson (missing) police say this was just hours before her mother was murdered

I asked Alice specifically about the domestic violence with Lester Hobbs leading up to her daughter’s death, and she told me, “he has slapped her, and one time she had a black eye, but I never dreamed it would go this far.” Alice wanted to speak out to Lester Hobbs about the way he was treating her daughter, but Tonya was scared and asked her never to say anything because if she got him upset he may take it out on her. “I had to bite my tongue, I hated to do that,” Alice says. Tonya was in the hospital three times over the last few months because of blood clots in her knees and lungs. According to her mom, Tonya wasn’t able to work, and didn’t have any health insurance.

Tonya leaves behind three children: a 15-year-old son, a 13-year-old daughter, and 7-year-old Aja. Alice says, “I talked to my grandson, he’s taking it pretty hard… I told him anytime he wanted to call, day or night, he was more than welcome.”

1992 Toyota Paseo

Oklahoma Bureau of Investigations released these pictures from a Wal-Mart in Lawton, Oklahoma. The photo depicts murder suspect Lester Hobbs holding hands with his estranged wife, Tonya Hobbs, in what may have been mere hours prior to the time police believe she was killed, and Aja Johnson was abducted. Investigators say the couple went to the Wal-Mart around 5:15 p.m. on January 23, 2009 to pick up food for dinner. Take a good look at what Lester Hobbs is wearing, these could be the clothes he still has on his back. Also, the parking lot surveillance camera picked up a clear view of the vehicle Hobbs may be driving. Take a look at the back passenger side window, and the hubcaps. Early in the investigation, it was believed the vehicle did not have any hubcaps. However, as these pictures show, the car may, in fact, have them.

Tonya Hobbs (left) Lester Hobbs (right) - photo taken hours before the murder

If you have any information on this case, please contact The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

1-800-THE-LOST

Two weeks have passed since Aja Johnson was abducted and her mother Tonya was found beaten to death inside an RV.  Since then investigators in Oklahoma issued a warrant for Lester Hobbs arrest charging him with first degree murder and kidnapping.  Hobbs is a convicted felon, and according to court documents was not supposed to have any contact with Aja.  Police say they’ve received leads about possible sightings of Hobbs, the United States Marshals service sex offender unit is involved, but so far nothing has panned out.  The Oklahoma Bureau of Investigations and the United States Marshal service put out a $20,000 reward, hoping someone will bring them the information they need to find this child.  Funeral services for Tonya Hobbs are scheduled tomorrow for 11 a.m.  

Last week I spoke with Alice Dunkin, Tonya Hobbs mother, and missing 7-year-old Aja Johnson’s grandmother.  She told me she screamed bloody murder and “blew up” when she learned her daughter was killed.  It is devastation to Alice especially because she said her son was shot and killed nearly three years ago, and now she has to go through this with her daughter.  Along with losing both of her children, Alice fears what may happen to her granddaughter Aja,

Aja Johnson MISSING

“Lester does not like Aja, he is mean to Aja, he’s made her eat jalapeño peppers, and has a paddle with her name on it. I’ve seen bruises he’s left on her little behind. I don’t know why or if it’s her medical problem or what. If she doesn’t take her medication, she’s climbing the wall.” Aja Johnson is still missing, and her life is in danger.  Investigators believe the 7-year-old was abducted by Lester Hobbs, 47, after her mother’s murder over the weekend.  The last time Aja or Hobbs were seen was Saturday, January 23, 2009 around 6 p.m.  Lester Hobbs is a convicted felon, and at one point Aja’s mom reported to police that he wanted to kill his daughter with a hammer.  Hobbs is currently wanted for a failure to appear warrant out of Lincoln County, Oklahoma for not showing up for his DUI case earlier this week, and there is now a warrant out for him for the murder of Tonya Hobbs and the abduction of Aja Johnson.  Official cause of death has not been released, but it appears at this time Tonya died from blunt force trauma to her body, she may have been beaten to death.

I asked Alice specifically about the domestic violence with Lester Hobbs leading up to her daughter’s death and she told me, “he has slapped her, and one time she had a black eye, but I never dreamed it would go this far.”  Alice wanted to speak out to Lester Hobbs about the way he was treating her daughter, but Tonya was scared and asked her never to say anything because if she got him upset he may take it out on her, “I had to bite my tongue, I hated to do that,” Alice says. Tonya was in the hospital three times over the last few months because of blood clots in her knees and lungs, according to her mom she wasn’t able to work, and doesn’t have any health insurance.  Alice doesn’t have enough money to bury her daughter, but there is a memorial fund set up if anyone would care to donate to the burial (information below). Tonya leaves behind three children, a 15-year-old son, a 13-year-old daughter, and 7-year-old Aja.  Alice says, “I talked to my grandson, he’s taking it pretty hard… I told him anytime he wanted to call day or night, he was more than welcome.”

Tonya Hobbs (left) Lester Hobbs (right)

Oklahoma Bureau of investigations released these pictures from a Wal-Mart in Lawton, Oklahoma.  The photo depicts murder suspect Lester Hobbs holding hands with his estranged wife Tonya Hobbs what may have been just hours before police believe she was killed, and her 7-year-old child Aja Johnson was abducted.  Investigators say the couple went to the Wal-Mart around 5:15 p.m. on January 23, 2009 to pick up food for dinner.  Take a good at what Lester Hobbs is wearing, these could be the clothes he still has on his back.  Also, in the parking lot, the surveillance camera picked up a clear view of the vehicle Hobbs may be driving.  Take a look at the back passenger side window, and the hubcaps.  Early on in the investigation it was believed the vehicle did not have any hubcaps, and now these pictures show the car may have them.

1992 Toyota Paseo

If you have any information on Aja Johnson’s wherebouts, please call:  1-800-THE-LOST

Aja Johnson MISSING

I spoke with Alice Dunkin this morning, Tonya Hobbs mother, and missing 7-year-old Aja Johnson’s grandmother.  She told me she screamed bloody murder and blew up when she learned her daughter was killed.  It is devastation to Alice especially because she said her son was murdered three years ago this October, he was shot 11 times, and now she has to go through this with her daughter.  Along with losing both of her children, Alice fears what may happen to her granddaughter Aja, “Lester does not like Aja, he is mean to Aja, he’s made her eat jalapeño peppers, and has a paddle with her name on it. I’ve seen bruises he’s left on her little behind. I don’t know why or if it’s her medical problem or what. If she doesn’t take her medication, she’s climbing the wall.” Aja Johnson is still missing, and her life is in danger.  Investigators believe the 7-year-old was abducted by Lester Hobbs, 47, after her mother’s murder over the weekend.  The last time Aja or Hobbs were seen was Saturday, January 23, 2009 around 6 p.m.  Lester Hobbs is a convicted felon, and at one point Aja’s mom reported to police that he wanted to kill his daughter with a hammer.  Hobbs is currently wanted for a failure to appear warrant out of Lincoln County, Oklahoma for not showing up for his DUI case earlier this week, and there is now a warrant out for him for the murder of Tonya Hobbs and the abduction of Aja Johnson.  Official cause of death has not been released, but it appears at this time Tonya died from blunt force trauma to her body, she may have been beaten to death.

I asked Alice specifically about the domestic violence with Lester Hobbs leading up to her daughter’s death and she told me, “he has slapped her, and one time she had a black eye, but I never dreamed it would go this far.”  Alice wanted to speak out to Lester Hobbs about the way he was treating her daughter, but Tonya was scared and asked her never to say anything because if she got him upset he may take it out on her, “I had to bite my tongue, I hated to do that,” Alice says. Tonya was in the hospital three times over the last few months because of blood clots in her knees and lungs, according to her mom she wasn’t able to work, and doesn’t have any health insurance.  Alice doesn’t have enough money to bury her daughter, but there is a memorial fund set up if anyone would care to donate to the burial (information below). Tonya leaves behind three children, a 15-year-old son, a 13-year-old daughter, and 7-year-old Aja.  Alice says, “I talked to my grandson, he’s taking it pretty hard… I told him anytime he wanted to call day or night, he was more than welcome.”

Tonya (victim) - Lester Hobbs (suspect)

Oklahoma Bureau of investigations released these pictures from a Wal-Mart in Lawton, Oklahoma.  The photo depicts murder suspect Lester Hobbs holding hands with his estranged wife Tonya Hobbs what may have been just hours before police believe she was killed, and her 7-year-old child Aja Johnson was abducted.  Investigators say the couple went to the Wal-Mart around 5:15 p.m. on January 23, 2009 to pick up food for dinner.  Take a good at what Lester Hobbs is wearing, these could be the clothes he still has on his back.  Also, in the parking lot, the surveillance camera picked up a clear view of the vehicle Hobbs may be driving.  Take a look at the back passenger side window, and the hubcaps.  Early on in the investigation it was believed the vehicle did not have any hubcaps, and now these pictures show the car may have them.

1992 Toyota Paseo

Hobbs has a long criminal history, includes domestic violence, assault and battery with a deadly weapon, injury to a child, drug and many DUI arrests.  Police say Tonya’s body was found around 9 p.m. Sunday night, and her daughter and estranged husband were nowhere to be found. Hobbs was staying in an RV on his sister’s property.  Police say Tonya and Aja were visiting for the weekend, but Aja was not supposed to be in contact with Lester Hobbs and was supposed to have supervised visits only with her mother. 

Lester Hobbs (police photo)

November 2009, Aja’s father, John J. Johnson filed an emergency order with the court to get custody of Aja, and was granted full custody.  In the official paperwork filed with the court, and signed by the judge on December 4, 2009, it states, “child shall not be left alone with Respondent (Tonya); the child shall not be around LESTER HOBBS, Respondent’s current husband.”  Also, child support was not awarded to her father at the time because of Tonya’s medical and financial situation, and because her father could financially support the child by himself.”  I spoke with attorney John Burke who represents Aja’s father, John Johnson.  He says his client allowed Tonya to take their daughter to a birthday party at a cousins house, or so he thought.  John says Tonya told him that if the birthday party ran late, she would want to keep the child overnight.  John packed an extra set of clothes, and sent enough medication to get the child through Saturday.  Aja suffers from sleep deprivation, and takes medication to help her sleep.  Without the proper medication, it causes her to become behaviorally out of control.  Attorney John Burke says his client became very concerned around noon on Saturday when he could not track down Tonya or his daughter. Alice told me that Tonya and John, Aja’s father, worked out an agreement outside the courtroom so Aja could spend the evening, and possibly overnight with her mom, and that he would never keep Tonya from seeing her daughter.

Aja was enrolled in three different elementary schools since last year. I can confirm Aja was a student at the Davenport Elementary school up until she was transferred to the Newcastle school in Oklahoma.  I confirmed with the Newcastle Elementary school that Aja did in fact start first grade there, and was pulled out in October 2009.  I spoke to the principal, and she says Aja always wore her hair in a high ponytail, and she was very loving.  Aja is the kind of child if she knows you, she will run up and give you a big hug.  There are reports that Aja needs medication, and I was told that during her 6 weeks at that school the nurse never issued her any medication, and as far as they know she was not required to take any.  Aja was one of 863 children who attend the Pre-K-5 school. The school got word that Aja was going to attend school in Oklahoma City after she was withdrawn, and they were waiting for the new school to contact them, but they never got a call.  I did speak with the Communications Director of public schools in Oklahoma City, and I can confirm that Aja was enrolled in Parmelle Elementary School as of November 2009. I was told Aja does have a sister who is currently in middle school in Newcastle, but the Newcastle middle school cannot confirm or deny if the child is a student there.  Aja and her sister have two different fathers.

To make donations to the Tonya Hobbs burial, please send donations here:

Tonya Hobbs memorial

First Commercial Bank

3131 South Shields

Oklahoma City,  OK

If you have any information on this case, please contact 1-800-THE-LOST