This week’s episode is about a young soldier named Lavena Johnson. I spoke to her father Dr. John Johnson, who is a psychologist. He shared Lavena’s story with me.

Lavena was his pride and joy. Dr. Johnson and his wife Linda were the parents of 3 sons and two daughters. Dr. Johnson said he took much pride in the fact that Lavena not only looked like him, but she also had his personality. They both shared a similar outlook about life. Lavena came from a loving home where family meant everything.

Although Lavena’s family hoped she would attend college, they supported her decision to join the Army. But life would take a turn for the worse for the Johnson family after Lavena was deployed to Iraq in 2005.

On July 17th, 2005, Lavena had a final conversation with her father. The two had made plans to decorate the Christmas tree together after she returned home to Missouri. Two days after that phone call, the Johnson family received a visit from a soldier with horrific news. Lavena had allegedly committed suicide in Iraq.

Dr. Johnson launched his own investigation into the matter. He has since learned that his daughter was raped and murdered. He has spent 15 years pleading for the Army to reclassify Lavena's death as a homicide and not a suicide

Video courtesy of: www.democracy.org

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