Daniel J. Varnes, a 47-year-old man from Michigan, has entered a no contest plea regarding the gruesome torture and murder of his girlfriend, Teressa M. Johnson. Johnson, who was legally blind, was found dead in a motel room in Saginaw Township after Varnes reportedly lived with her remains for several days.
This case, which reveals shocking instances of abuse and an unusual discovery made by a drug dealer, has resulted in a plea agreement that will lead Varnes to serve 32 years in prison.
Background on Daniel Varnes and Teressa Johnson’s Relationship
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Daniel Varnes and Teressa Johnson had an intermittent relationship that started around 2016. Johnson, a 46-year-old native of Burton and a Bendle High School graduate, was remembered in her obituary as a lively and generous individual.
However, Varnes informed investigators that Johnson was both legally blind and mentally incapacitated. The couple had cohabited in Florida and various hotels in Michigan before moving into the Rodeway Inn on April 20, 2024, which was also Varnes’ 46th birthday.
Details of the Torture Incident at Rodeway Inn Motel
The abuse that Johnson endured was violent and lasted about two weeks. Varnes confessed to several brutal acts, which included physically assaulting Johnson with his fists, kicking her in the face with his boots, and hitting her multiple times with a wrench.
In a particularly cruel act, he used needle-nose pliers to keep her mouth shut, allegedly to muffle her. He also applied a crack pipe to her face to burn her skin. The police later found various tools in the motel room, including scissors and pliers, all of which tested positive for Johnson’s blood.
Timeline of Events Leading to Varnes’ Arrest
The critical events unfolded on August 31, 2024, when Varnes stole $60 worth of crack cocaine from a dealer. The dealer followed him to room 324, where he noticed a human-sized lump on the bed. When questioned, Varnes pulled back the blanket and remarked, “You know exactly what that is,” revealing Johnson’s body.
The dealer then left and made a 911 call around 1 a.m. on September 1. Varnes fled on foot when the police arrived and was discovered hiding in the woods more than 12 hours later.
What the No Contest Plea Means Legally
By entering a no contest plea on March 3, Varnes did not confess to the crimes but acknowledged that prosecutors had sufficient evidence for a conviction. This kind of plea is frequently utilized in criminal proceedings to limit civil responsibilities or as part of a plea bargain.
Judge Darnell Jackson used case file documents to determine the factual foundation necessary for accepting the pleas. The agreement mandates that Varnes serve 32 years in prison, meaning he will be nearly 80 years old before he can be considered for parole.
Family Impact and Upcoming Sentencing Details
The Johnson family must now confront the reality that Teressa’s murderer will face consequences without having to endure a trial. Her obituary portrayed her as a person who “always made others feel welcome and was very generous.”
She is survived by a brother and was predeceased by her parents and two other brothers. Varnes is scheduled for his sentencing hearing before Judge Jackson on April 13, when the 32-year prison sentence will be officially imposed.
