LAS VEGAS (Court TV) — A former adult-film star faces 51 years to life in prison after a jury convicted her of bludgeoning and decapitating her ex-boyfriend as he prepared to move into her Las Vegas home.
Devyn Michaels, 47, was convicted of murder with use of a deadly weapon in the death of Johnathan Willette, the father of her two daughters. The case centered on what prosecutors describe as a brutal killing that occurred as Willette was moving into Michaels’ home on August 7, 2023.
Devyn Michaels listens in court on Nov.14, 2025, as a Clark County judge reads the jury’s verdict in her Las Vegas murder and decapitation trial. (Court TV)
During opening statements, prosecutors told jurors that Michaels killed 46-year-old Willette because she was unhappy with how quickly he was moving in with her and their daughters. The former couple had discussed the living arrangement months earlier as a way to keep their family together, but investigators believe Michaels became concerned that Willette’s presence would disrupt the home life she had established with her husband, Deviere Willette, Johnathan’s son from a previous relationship.
Both Michaels and Deviere told police their marriage was “out of convenience” for insurance; however, it was later revealed they had been carrying on an affair for years while Michaels was dating Johnathan.
According to the prosecution, Michaels confessed to police that she clubbed Johnathan over the head while he was lying on his stomach receiving a massage. However, she denied decapitating him and hiding his head, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Police have not been able to recover Johnathan’s head or the murder weapon.
Defense attorneys presented a dramatically different theory of the crime, pointing the finger at Deviere. The defense claimed that Deviere killed his father out of fear that the move would mean losing Devyn and their home.
Court records show that Michaels, also known as Tracee Tavarez, was once married to Robert Louis Baker. Baker was convicted in California of murdering Fabio Sementilli with his lover, Monica Sementilli.
The judge set Michaels’ sentencing date for Jan. 8, 2026.
TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 7 – 11/14/25
- LIVESTREAM: NV. v. Devyn Michaels, Day 7 | Love Triangle Beheading Trial
- Verdict reached: The verdict in the Devyn Michaels trial was confirmed shortly after 9 p.m. ET, with court officials signaling that the jury had reached a decision after just under two hours of deliberation.
- State’s Closing Argument: Deputy District Attorney Brittni Griffith
- Prosecutors said Michaels deliberately killed and decapitated her husband, calling the act “unfathomable.”
- They argued she made a series of conscious decisions — getting up, retrieving an object from the fireplace, and striking Willette while he was face-down and unaware.
- The State urged jurors to convict under both premeditated murder and felony murder tied to robbery.
- Prosecutors said Michaels took Willette’s wallet, keys, and social security card, showing motive and intent.
- They argued that texts, surveillance, and timeline evidence ruled out Deviere Willette as a suspect.
- Testimony and the timeline pointed to Michaels as the only person with opportunity during the 10 p.m.–2 a.m. window of the killing.
- Prosecutors highlighted multiple inconsistencies in her statements about missing items, blood evidence, and her timeline.
- They reminded jurors that Michaels eventually admitted hitting Willette and could not account for key hours during the night.
- Forensic testimony indicated Willette was decapitated after death using a knife and a mechanical saw.
- The State concluded the evidence shows Michaels committed first-degree murder under either theory.
- Defense Closing Argument: Robert Draskovich
- The defense argued the investigation was biased and rushed, claiming officers made mistakes and ignored alternative suspects.
- Draskovich told jurors to rely on reasonable doubt, jury instructions, and common sense rather than assumptions about guilt.
- He suggested that inconsistencies in witness testimony — especially from Deviere and Yoko — weaken the State’s narrative.
- The defense emphasized there is no evidence Devyn Michaels decapitated the victim, arguing the State failed to prove she caused or participated in the postmortem dismemberment.
- Draskovich said video evidence and phone activity point to Deviere being awake and mobile during the time frame and should not be dismissed.
- He highlighted that Devyn left the residence at 2:04 a.m. and that the murder was more likely committed after she left.
- The defense pointed to alleged investigative failures: missing surveillance timestamps, unsearched areas, no Luminol, overlooked footprints, and incomplete digital extractions.
- He argued Devyn consistently said Johnathan was alive when she left and that her medical issues, memory gaps, and hysterectomy were confirmed.
- Surveillance of Devyn after the alleged killing showed no blood, no injuries, and behavior he argued was inconsistent with someone who had just committed a brutal murder.
- Draskovich closed by comparing the case to “12 Angry Men,” urging jurors to acquit because the State had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Sean O’Brien, Digital forensic examiner
- O’Brien reviewed six terabytes of discovery, including data from cell phones, cell towers and a Nissan Armada.
- Focused on cell phones belonging to Devyn, Johnathan and Deviere.
- Found that only 3% of phone app data was displayed in software databases, calling this “problematic”. Testified that the cell phone extractions for all three devices were incomplete.
- No cell tower pings showed Deviere’s phone going toward the Palo Dura address between 10 pm Aug. 6 and 8 am on Aug. 7.
- Google data showed John’s phone traveling from the Palo Dura address around 2:04 am on the same path as the Armada.
- Defendant’s car showed activity at a gas station area, not car wash area.
- Found Discord app activity on Deviere’s phone at 2:31 am on Aug. 7.
- Recovered a deleted message saying, “Headed there now” but no timestamp available.
- Xbox and Nintendo Switch were not collected from Deviere’s room by police.
- Three voicemails were played (11:13 pm, 11:18 pm and 11:21 pm) from daughter asking mother to come home.
- Dr. Lary Simms, Forensic Pathologist
- Reviewed the autopsy report and testified that the “homicidal violence” classification was incorrect based on criteria from the 2010 standards.
- John had two natural diseases that could have caused death: an enlarged heart and a fatty liver.
- Toxicology showed John was substantially over the legal limit of THC.
- Alcohol in the stomach was 30 times higher than in the blood, indicating recent alcohol consumption.
- Opined that John was “definitely intoxicated” and “pretty loaded.”
- Manner of death should be classified as “undetermined,” not “homicide.”
- The missing head prevents a scientific determination of the cause and manner of death.
- Decapitation occurred after death; it is believed a chainsaw was used in addition to a handheld knife.
- The defense rested its case.
DAY 6 – 11/13/25
- LIVESTREAM: NV v. Devyn Michaels, Day 6| Love Triangle Beheading Trial
- Nicholas A. Eason, Family services supervisor at Clark County Family Services
- John did not seem hateful towards Devyn in any way.
- Described Devyn’s behavior as bizarre; she told Eason the marriage wasn’t “real”
- There was a contentious custody agreement, and he would do whatever was necessary to get the girls home.
- Elizabeth Lemons Woods, Clark County Family Services
- Devyn told her that she had to do “it”
- Explained that she was married to Deviere, their relationship didn’t work out, but they were really good friends, and Johnathan wanted to move back in.
- Devyn described her relationship with Johnathan as transactional: she would have sex with him, and he would pay the bills.
- Det. Douglas Lynaugh, Henderson Police Department
- Showed the jury a video interview with Devyn Michaels.
- The video, which was difficult to hear and understand at times, showed Devyn Michaels saying she hit the victim, but he had been breathing.
- The prosecution rested its case.
DAY 5 – 11/12/25
- LIVESTREAM: NV v. Devyn Michaels, Day 5| Love Triangle Beheading Trial
- Detective Karl Lippisch, Henderson Police Dept. Digital Forensics
- Showed the jury surveillance video of Nissan Armada turning from Palo Duro onto Charter Oak at 2:04 am on Aug. 7, 2023.
- Gas station surveillance footage from Chevron shows Devyn Michaels and Johnathan Willette entering the store around 10:05 pm on Aug. 6, 2023, and leaving approximately five minutes later.
- Refers to the Palo Duro home as the “murder scene” multiple times.
- Acknowledged that the cause and manner of death were unclear based on the coroner’s report and conceded that without the head, it’s difficult to determine a definite manner of death.
- The video timestamp was from the cell phone, not embedded in the video itself, and multiple surveillance videos shown had no timestamps.
- Detective Dennis Ozawa – Lead Investigator (HPD Homicide)
- Responded to a gruesome scene: victim decapitated on the bed amid a strong ammonia-and-bleach odor, creating toxic gas.
- No blood spatter, weapon, or gunshot evidence found; victim’s head missing.
- Devyn Michaels identified as the last person seen with the victim; statements conflicted with other witnesses.
- Victim’s phone, wallet, and truck keys later found in plastic bags at Michaels’ home, her DNA on the bag knot, his blood on the phone discovered by her daughter.
- Digital timeline:
- 10:11 p.m. – Michaels and victim leave Terrible’s gas station.
- 10:12 p.m. – Truck arrives at victim’s home (Palo Duro).
- 2:04 a.m. – Michaels’ Armada leaves; GPS confirms route.
- 2:28 a.m. – Seen alone at CVS drive-through.
- 2:39 a.m. – Returns to Porcupine Rim home.
- Estimated time of death between 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
- Defense cross-examination:
- Emphasized no weapon recovered and no forensic testing on swords, shower, Xbox, or shoes.
- No gunshot residue (GSR) testing on victim or suspects.
- No mechanical saw recovered despite expert opinion one was used.
- Argued cause of death undetermined and investigation incomplete, noting missing Burlington surveillance footage.
DAY 4 – 11/10/25
- LIVESTREAM: NV v. Devyn Michaels, Day 4| Love Triangle Beheading Trial
- Detectives detailed Devyn Michaels’ second police interview, where she reacted to her daughter handing her the victim’s bloody phone.
- Vehicle GPS data from Michaels’ Nissan Armada traced movements between both homes from 2:04 a.m. – 2:44 a.m. on the night of the murder.
- Investigators said phone records show the victim’s cell was active at the scene until 2:04 a.m.—the same time the Armada began moving.
- A detective described the crime scene as “limited in blood spatter,” confirming post-mortem decapitation.
- Surveillance footage from neighbors and nearby gas stations placed both the victim’s truck and Michaels’ SUV near the murder scene that night.
- Det. Carrie Skinner, Henderson Police Department
- Phone found blood-stained at Michaels’ home after she claimed not to have it.
- Her story about receiving items from the victim mirrored how evidence was later discovered tied and stored.
- Investigators testified this matched the condition of the evidence in drawers at her residence.
- Det. Jared Spangler, Henderson Police Department
- Digital forensic expert — he examined the infotainment system from a 2017 Nissan Armada belonging to the defendant.
- Confirmed GPS “trip logs” showing vehicle activity between 5:19 p.m. Aug 6 and 2:44 a.m. Aug 7, matching the alleged crime window.
- Key trip began at Michaels’ home (Palo Duro Dr.), traveled to the victim’s address (Porcupine Rim St.), and back between 2:04 a.m. and 2:44 a.m.
- Subsequent trips on Aug 7 showed school drop-offs, a gas station stop, and a hospital visit.
- Data was verified through forensic hashing to confirm integrity.
- Cross-Examination Highlights:
- Defense emphasized that GPS data only tracks a vehicle, not the person driving.
- No blood was observed in the Armada during extraction.
- Spangler confirmed he later analyzed one of Michaels’ cell phones at the detective’s request.
- Cross-Examination Highlights:
- Det. Luke Good
- Presented cell-phone provider data and call-detail records (AT&T / T-Mobile).
- Mapped devices associated with Michaels and her co-defendant, Deviere Willette.
- Explained call timing and tower-ping methodology but offered limited narrative insight.
- Cross-Examination Highlights:
- Confirmed analysis tracks phones, not people; if a device stays home, the data cannot prove a person’s location.
- Defense noted subscriber records linked one tracked number to “Joseph Sams,” not Willette.
- Acknowledged he relied on detectives to supply the relevant numbers and times.
- Cross-Examination Highlights:
- Det. Karl Lippisch, Henderson Police Department
- Arrived at the Palo Duro Drive murder scene on the morning of Aug 7.
- Described victim John Willette’s body lying across a bed; decapitation evident, minimal blood spatter, suggesting death occurred before dismemberment.
- Located two bottles of cleaning agents in the hallway between the bedroom and garage.
- Assisted in executing search warrants for both residences and vehicles.
- Helped canvass neighborhoods for surveillance video; gathered footage showing the victim’s white Chevy truck and Michaels’ Nissan Armada near the scene before and after the killing.
DAY 3 – 11/7/25
- LIVESTREAM: NV v. Devyn Michaels, Day 3 | Love Triangle Beheading Trial
- Nasao Yoshita, victim’s mother’s boyfriend
- Lived at home with his girlfriend, Yoko, for 10 years. He lived upstairs with Yoko, while Yoko’s son, Johnathan, lived downstairs.
- Saw the defendant’s car around 8 pm on Aug. 6, but didn’t see the defendant or Deviere that day.
- Went to sleep at 10 pm after walking Johnathan’s dogs.
- On Aug. 7, Yoko woke him up and asked him to go downstairs; he called 911 because he assumed John was dead.
- He had been using a butcher knife to prepare dog food on Aug. 6, but the knife was missing the next day. The missing knife was never found.
- Deviere didn’t live in the house, but John had asked Yoko if he could stay sometimes.
- Said that John was planning to move out; denied giving him money or knowing about discussions about John’s use of alcohol.
- Yoko Willette, the victim’s mother
- Lived at the home for 29 years; had two sons: Johnathan and Kenneth. Johnathan had three children: Deviere, Tomiya and Jennea.
- The defendant is the mother of two girls, aged 7 and 9.
- John and the defendant separated when their younger daughter was two. The defendant lost custody, and the girls lived in Yoko’s home from November 2022 to May 2023. They then returned to the defendant and Johnathan planned to move in with her and the girls.
- On Aug. 6, the defendant arrived in her own vehicle at around 8 pm; John and Devyn left together in John’s truck, then returned around 10 pm. John seemed normal. Yoko went upstairs, came back down at around 1 am, expecting them to be gone. Instead, she found the defendant in the kitchen, who seemed startled/surprised to see her.
- The defendant brought dishes from John’s room twice, saying John got drunk and went to bed.
- At 2 am, Yoko heard a strange noise — the dogs were barking in the yard, and it sounded like something had dropped from a shelf.
- Went downstairs at 8 am, saw John’s truck. Found dogs outside, the doggie door closed, a computer chair overturned and the garage door half open.
- Went into John’s room and saw him wrapped in blankets with his feet visible. Moved to the head of the bed, saw blood and went upstairs to call 911.
- Nicole Mariam, Henderson Police crime scene analyst
- Responded to the scene of the homicide, her job was to take photographs before the detectives searched the home.
- Found a black cell phone with blood on its screen.
- Searched residence, work van, Honda Civic and found no murder weapon.
- Found swords in the front room, Glock 9mm in the nightstand drawer and Sig Sauer 9mm in the upstairs safe.
- Discovered writing in a notebook and a red bag with Ring cameras in the garage.
- Found John’s driver’s license, social security card and debit cards.
- Photographed Devyn Michaels and Deviere Willette and found no visible cuts or bruises on either.
- Dr. Stephanie Yagi, Clark County Medical Examiner
- Received Johnathan’s headless body on Aug. 8, 2023.
- Body measured 68 inches and 169 pounds; it would have been approximately 10 pounds heavier with the head.
- Found chemical-type burns on the front of body and diamond weave pattern matching the mattress.
- Discovered superficial incised wounds parallel to main neck wound, possibly indicating previous attempts.
- Decapitation occurred post-mortem (after death).
- No evidence of strangulation; the hyoid bone was missing due to decapitation.
- Toxicology results showed his blood alcohol level was below the legal limit at 0.029. The test also found caffeine, nicotine, low-level THC, and naturally occurring GHB.
- The cause of death was homicidal violence; no anatomic or toxicological cause was determined. The manner of death was homicide.
- Anthropological analysis indicated that two tools were used: a hand-powered knife and a mechanically powered saw.
- Cannot determine the exact time of death or the body’s position during decapitation.
- Dr. Jennifer Burns, forensic anthropologist
- Analyzed the remains, specifically the cervical vertebrae.
- Determined that two different instruments were used in the decapitation: a hand-powered knife and a mechanically-powered saw. She could not determine the specific brand of tools used, only the class of instrument.
- Shawp force trauma identified on vertebrae C2 and C3.
- Cuts were determined to be “peri-mortem,” meaning around the time of death. She could not specify if it was immediately prior, during or after.
- No comparison analysis was done on specific knives or saws.
- When asked if a petite individual could perform decapitation, she said a mechanical saw does the work for the user.
- Det. Carrie Skinner, Henderson Police Department
- Responded to the scene where the victim’s head was missing.
- No weapons were found at the scene other than kitchen knives.
- Interviewed the defendant at the secondary scene; children were present but too active for formal forensic interviews. The children eventually said that Deviere took care of them and watched them the night prior.
- The jury heard Devyn Michael’s police interview.
- Michaels said she left John’s house through the front door and he was in boxers in the garage when she left.
- Said John was “buzzed but not over the top” and she told him to sleep it off.
- Described her marriage as one of convenience for legal/medical prescription purposes and that John was not supposed to move in so quickly.
- Went to CVS to pick up medications after leaving John’s house.
- Blood found on John’s phone that the children had.
- In a second interview, discussed John moving belongings, including bunk beds and bags, mentioned tension about John moving in and rent money issues.
- Said that John had asked her to marry him the day before.
- John had given her his social security card and an old driver’s license to keep safe.
DAY 2 – 11/6/25
- LIVESTREAM: NV v. Devyn Michaels, DAY 2 | Love Triangle Beheading Trial
- Stephanie Wilson, crime scene analyst
- Found nothing of evidentiary value in trash cans.
- Photographed the victim’s truck and trailer outside the house and the interior of the truck.
- Determined victim was not killed elsewhere; there was no mixed lividity to suggest the body was moved.
- Observed post-mortem decapitation with no spurting blood vessels.
- Found chemical burns on the victim’s body after it was turned over.
- A pillow was placed under the upper portion of the victim’s torso.
- Victim died on the bed, based on blood evidence.
- No signs of a struggle were observed at the scene.
- No cuts observed on bed covers or bedding.
- No evidence found that a gun was used.
- Evidence suggested someone cleaned up the scene; no identification, car keys, wallet or cell phone were found at the scene.
- Detective Nickolas Papacs, Henderson Police Dept.
- Called to the scene and initially assigned to canvas for video surveillance.
- Conducted an interview with Devyn Michaels, who also went by “Nikki.”
- The jury heard an audio recording of the interview. In the interview, Michaels said she and the victim spent the day together school shopping.
- Michaels said she left around 9 pm when Jonathan was in the garage drinking and smoking. His ex-fiancée, Yoko, came down and had issues with him. Michaels said that Jonathan owed Yogo approximately $200.
- Michaels took Jonathan’s guns to her house but left the ammunition.
- Jonathan had multiple girlfriends, including Andrea, Sarah, and Michelle.
- Cameras were removed from the house the night before.
- Michaels said she had not been intimate with Jonathan since 2018.
- Deviere Willette, Married to defendant, Victim’s son
- MORE: Defendant’s husband, victim’s son denies involvement in murder, beheading
- Deviere Willette testified he was married to defendant Devyn Michaels and that their relationship began when he was 19 years old.
- He admitted the relationship started as helping with her daughters before becoming sexual about a year later.
- Initially told police the marriage was for convenience and denied intimacy, later admitting those statements were lies.
- Said he lied because he was embarrassed and didn’t want to discuss the relationship after learning his father was dead.
- Claimed he didn’t know his father, Johnathan Willette, was moving into the home before the killing, though transcripts showed he did.
- Acknowledged telling detectives he and his father “never really got along,” then later said they got along fine outside of work.
- Confirmed he worked at HomeTronics installing home entertainment systems and had tools for cutting drywall and wood.
- Denied being angry about having to move out to make room for his father, but prosecutors suggested he resented it.
- Admitted to heavy drinking that caused memory problems and tension in his marriage, with Devyn telling him he was “turning into” his father.
- Told jurors he flew in from California voluntarily to testify and now believes Devyn was responsible for his father’s death.
- WATCH: Son Testifies About Father’s Death, Marriage To Devyn Michaels
DAY 1 – 11/5/25
- Prosecution opening statement delivered by John Giordano
- Johnathan Willette and Devyn Michaels had two daughters together, with Johnathan having full physical custody
- Devyn was married to Deviere, Johnathan’s son from a previous relationship, in what she called a “marriage of convenience for insurance”
- On August 7, 2023, at 8:00 AM, Johnathan’s mother discovered her son’s headless body in his bed with chemical burns and clean decapitation
- Autopsy revealed death by homicidal violence with decapitation occurring post-mortem using two instruments: a knife and power saw
- Johnathan’s phone was found in Devyn’s car with blood on it, and his Social Security card was in her purse
- Johnathan’s wallet, ID, and truck keys were discovered in knotted plastic bags hidden in Devyn’s underwear drawer and Devyn’s DNA was found on the knots of the bags containing the victim’s personal items
- Surveillance video shows Devyn leaving the victim’s residence at 2:04 AM and arriving home at 2:46 AM
- Cell phone evidence shows Deviere was at home during the murder, while Devyn’s and Johnathan’s phones traveled together
- Devyn initially told police she last saw Johnathan alive in the garage and didn’t know how his phone got in her car
- After being confronted with evidence, Devyn changed her story multiple times and eventually admitted to hitting Johnathan on the head with a “club or stick” while giving him a massage
- Argued Devyn refused to acknowledge the decapitation or reveal the location of Johnathan’s head or the murder weapon
- Prosecutor argued Devyn killed Johnathan because she didn’t want him moving in permanently but wanted to maintain access to the girls
- Defense’s opening statement delivered by Robert Draskovich
- Claims Deviere is lying about his relationship with Devyn being a “marriage of convenience”
- Argues Devyn and Deviere had a “long torrid affair” that began years earlier while Devyn was dating Johnathan (Deviere’s father)
- Presents phone sex messages, wedding photos showing the couple “tonguing each other,” and romantic texts from 2016 as evidence of their sexual relationship
- Deviere told police they weren’t intimate, but later testified to grand jury they became intimate after the first year of marriage in November 2022
- Claims Deviere was being kicked out of the home on August 7, 2023, the same day Johnathan was moving in permanently
- Argues Deviere hated his father and was losing both his home and his wife on the day of the murder
- Deviere gave conflicting statements about whether he knew his father was moving in, first claiming he knew, then later saying he learned it from detectives
- Presents texts from Devyn to Deviere calling him a “liar and cheater” and telling him to move out
- Argues Deviere has extensive knowledge of home security systems and access to tools like a sawzall through his work as a security installer
- Claims Deviere killed his father and simply left his phone at home to create an alibi
- Points out that despite the bloody crime scene and use of power tools, no blood was observed on Devyn in surveillance video or by victim’s mother, who saw her at 1:00 AM
- Concludes that Devyn is covering for Deviere and is not guilty of the murder
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