BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A Georgia man was sentenced to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering 32-year-old Teresa Michael and setting fire to her Bloomington apartment.
Eric Quentin Johnson was arrested in February 2021 after he fled Indiana after setting fire to a Bloomington apartment in an attempt to cover up the murder of his then-girlfriend.
According to previous reports, police responded to an apartment fire on Basswood Drive on Jan. 28, 2021, at approximately 10 p.m. Firefighters ended up finding Teresa Michael lying in the middle of the living room and quickly carried her outside.
Michael had significant burn injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy conducted on Michael revealed that the woman died before the fire took place, however. Investigators learned that Michael had been strangled before the fire broke out. Her car was also missing along with keys to the apartment.
Court documents reveal that Michael and Johnson had been dating for roughly six months prior to the fire. The pair reportedly met online and Johnson moved up to Bloomington from Georgia to live with Michael and her children.
Those close to the situation told police that Johnson had a history of alcohol abuse and the relationship turned tumultuous. Court documents reveal that on Jan. 28, 2021 — the day of the fire — Michael advised several family members of her plan to break up with Johnson.
Police ended up tracking Johnson to Georgia where Michael's stolen vehicle was located. However, Johnson was no longer in Georgia, having jumped on a Greyhound bus heading to South Carolina.
Authorities reached out to law enforcement in Columbia, South Carolina, who detained Johnson when his bus came to a stop. Johnson was extracted back to Indiana where he was charged with murder and arson.
Johnson ultimately pleaded guilty to murder. His 45-year murder sentence carries no suspended time.