Cabin in the Woods is investigating the murder of Korean War veteran Jack Irwin, who was shot dead and dismembered with a chainsaw by con artist Marcia Ann Johnson at the former’s cabin at Mt Baldy, to the north of Los Angeles, California.
Marcia Ann Johnson and her partner Judy Gellert befriended 71-year-old Irwin, a pensioner, and they began renting his cabin. Irwin also had a second property in Upland, CA.
Johnson and Gellert seemingly conned their way into Irwin’s trust to the point he even allowed them access to his bank accounts. Shortly before Irwin disappeared, he told friends that the couple had stopped making payments, and he was becoming wary of their true motives.
In September 1999, Irwin vanished, and his remains have never been found. He was reported missing by Johnson, who told police he had gone to visit Seattle, WA, and never returned.
Irwin’s friends later voiced their suspicions to the police when they noticed Johnson and Gellert had made some high-value purchases, including a Corvette car.
Investigators later learned that Johnson and Gellert burned through about $230,000 of Irwin’s money in just a few months. After torching the cabin, they also received $170,000 in fire insurance.
In total, the twisted couple stole and spent about half a million dollars of Irwin’s estate in just a few months after his disappearance. The pair were eventually arrested.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelMarcia Ann Johnson admitted to killing Jack Irwin
In an interview with the cops, Johnson admitted that she became angry with Irwin during a confrontation at the Mt Baldy cabin. She confessed to grabbing a firearm and shooting him in the back of the head.
Johnson said she then used a chainsaw to cut off Irwin’s head and limbs before hiding the body parts in the surrounding mountains and hills.
The killer claimed she killed Irwin because he had sexually assaulted Gellert. However, the cops believe Johnson killed him so she could steal his estate.
Investigators described her as a s cold-blooded killer who had always planned to murder Irwin and steal his money.
Marcia Johnson and Judy Gellert convicted in Jack Irwin murder
In the meantime, Gellert was charged with accessory to murder. She agreed to testify against her partner and received 180 days in jail, five years probation, and was ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution.
Johnson was convicted of 26 charges in total, which included first-degree murder, arson, grand theft, elder abuse, and insurance fraud. She was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Cabin in the Woods airs Mondays at 10/9c on Investigation Discovery.