Durham: Second woman charged with murder in Mikel Johnson's 2024 death after first case dismissed

Durham police have charged a different woman with murder in the December 2024 death of Mikel Johnson after the first suspect's case was dismissed, court records show.

Alicia Nicole Fleming, 25, of Williamston is charged with second-degree murder, according to her arrest warrant, The News & Observer reported Oct. 14, citing court records. Johnson, 40, died days after being strangled at a Durham home on Dec. 7, 2024. Fleming was arrested Oct. 9 and is held without bail. WITN, citing the warrant and court records, also reported the second-degree murder charge and that she did not receive a bond.

A charge is an accusation. Fleming is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Background

Patricia Ayers, 32, was first charged in Johnson's death — initially with felony assault by strangulation, then murder — and spent more than a year in jail without bail, The News & Observer reported. At a Feb. 4, 2026 hearing, Assistant District Attorney Michael Wallace told the court he did not have enough evidence to keep her jailed. Her charges were dismissed last month. Johnson's mother, Mary Patterson-Johnson, told the paper the district attorney's office had not notified her of that dismissal when The N&O reached her four days after it was filed.

What authorities say about the new charge

Court records show Durham police obtained a warrant charging Fleming in September 2026. The News & Observer reported the warrant was filed Sept. 9; WITN reported it was issued Sept. 4. We are not treating the exact day as settled.

A detective wrote in a search warrant that someone can be heard in the background of the Dec. 7, 2024, 911 call yelling "Alicia," The News & Observer reported. A prosecutor said in court that Fleming was in the room but walked away when police arrived. Prosecutors have not said publicly what new evidence led to Fleming's charge.

Timeline

• Dec. 7, 2024: A 911 call reports a man being choked at a Durham home; Johnson later dies, according to court records and prior reporting cited by The News & Observer.
• 2025–early 2026: Ayers remains charged; at a Feb. 4, 2026 hearing a prosecutor says there is not enough evidence to hold her in jail.
• September 2026: Ayers's charges are dismissed; Durham police obtain a warrant charging Fleming (outlets differ on Sept. 4 vs. Sept. 9).
• Oct. 9, 2026: Fleming is arrested and held without bail.
• Oct. 14, 2026: The News & Observer publishes a detailed account of the new charge and the dismissed case.

What we don't know yet

Prosecutors have not said what new evidence supports Fleming's charge or when the case might go to trial. Durham Police and the district attorney's office have not issued a detailed public statement beyond the charging papers described by news outlets.

Photos

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