Charges dropped against Detroit-area widow accused of murdering her ailing husband

Charges dropped widow accused of murdering husband

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Charges have been dropped against a suburban Detroit woman who was accused of killing her ailing husband.

Prosecutors notified a judge during a court hearing Wednesday in Farmington Hills. An autopsy found that Lloyd Johnson died of complications from an old boating injury and that his death was not homicide.

Prosecutors charged 46-year-old Laura Johnson with second-degree murder, manslaughter and practicing medicine without a license after police said they found scalpels, bloody bedding and what appeared to be refrigerated human tissue in the couple’s home in Farmington Hills.

The Oakland County medical examiner says Lloyd Johnson was obese and had many health problems besides an old boat oar wound that would not heal.