Naasire Johnson Obituary, Death; – A jury in Philadelphia has convicted Kylen Pratt of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and possession of an instrument of crime in connection with the death of 20-year-old Naasire Johnson on September 27.
Subsequently, on September 30, Judge Giovanni Campbell imposed a mandatory life sentence on the 23-year-old, without the possibility of parole, along with an additional consecutive sentence ranging from four-and-a-half to nine years.
Prosecutors argued that Pratt, who was romantically involved with Johnson while also dating other women, murdered the young man to hide their relationship.
In the early hours of February 17, 2022, Johnson ordered an Uber and traveled from his family’s residence in West Philadelphia to Pratt’s home in Brewerytown. Shortly after his arrival, Pratt shot Johnson in the neck, resulting in his death. He then transported Johnson’s body to a secluded trail in Fairmount Park and set it ablaze.
Later that day, Johnson’s remains were discovered and subsequently identified through DNA testing. Following an anonymous tip, detectives identified Pratt as a suspect. Police obtained Pratt’s cell phone records, which placed him with Johnson at the time of the murder and in Fairmount Park.
An examination of Pratt’s cell phone data revealed searches for news articles regarding the discovery of Johnson’s remains, as well as inquiries into “traits of a psychopath,” “having sex with dead bodies,” and “killing in cold blood.”
A search warrant executed at Pratt’s residence uncovered carpet padding and hardwood flooring stained with what was later confirmed to be Johnson’s blood. Additionally, a significant portion of the carpeting had been extensively bleached.
Authorities also recovered a 9-millimeter semi-automatic firearm from the home, which provided forensic links to Johnson’s murder. At the time of Pratt’s arrest, Cynthia, Johnson’s grandmother, expressed her belief to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
