A Nevada woman who pleaded guilty to beheading the father of her children could receive a surprisingly light sentence as part of a plea agreement.
Devyn Michaels, 46, faces 15 years to life in prison as part of the plea agreement after she was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of her on-again, off-again boyfriend Johnathan Willette, 46.
Court records show that Michaels entered her plea on Sept. 17 and that as part of the agreement, she could be eligible for parole after serving just 15 years in prison. But as in all cases, it will be up to the judge to determine the sentence.
Michaels, who also goes by Tracee Tavarez, told the judge there was a “low risk of her reoffending” while testifying about a previous arrest charge just days after Willette’s murder. 8News Now defeated.
Michaels was arrested in August of last year after Willette’s mother found his decapitated body in his bed eight days after the incident. Michaels alleges that the father of their two daughters tried to force her to perform a sex act on him before committing the brutal crime.
Devyn Michaels, 46 – who was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Johnathan Willette, 46 – could face 15 years to life in prison as part of a plea deal
Michaels was arrested in August of last year after Willette’s mother found his decapitated body in his bed eight days after the incident.
Johnathan Willette and Michael’s complicated relationship also played a role in the case, as court documents show the couple planned to move in together even though she was married to Willette’s son, Deviere
Police found Willette’s body still smoking and smelling of chemicals, likely bleach and ammonia.
After decapitating her then-boyfriend, she allegedly took his head from Willette’s Henderson home to her Las Vegas home, where she threw it in a trash can. Police also found Willette’s wallet, identification and truck keys at her home across town.
Willette’s head was never found. Police suspect the garbage service took the head.
After an investigation, she initially denied the murder, claiming she had left his house on the night of his death. She later admitted to hitting him over the head with a wooden stick after rejecting his advances, saying she only wanted to have him hospitalized.
She also claimed that Willette abused her and made his oldest child shower in front of him, according to the arrest report.
Her complicated relationship with Willette also played a role in the case, as court documents show the couple planned to live together even though she was married to Willette’s son, Deviere.
Police found Willette’s body still “smoking” and smelling of chemicals, likely bleach and ammonia
After decapitating her then-boyfriend, she allegedly took his head from Willette’s Henderson home to her Las Vegas home, where she threw it in a trash can. Police also found Willette’s wallet, identification and truck keys at her home across town.
Court records show that in the weeks surrounding the murder, Michaels was also involved in another case involving the alleged abuse of one of her children.
Michaels was also arrested for child neglect in October 2022 after a daycare worker noticed a bruise on her 8-year-old daughter’s leg.
A hearing following her arrest in 2022 resulted in a one-year suspended sentence for Michaels, who maintained that she was not a violent person, citing her participation in counseling and therapy.
“I’ve had counseling classes, therapy, drug testing, psychological evaluations. I’ve done everything. Everyone I’ve talked to says I’m not an abusive person and they don’t think there’s any risk that I would abuse her or that I would ever do it again,” she told the court.
Michaels’ sentencing for Willette’s murder is scheduled for October 31.