A New Jersey man killed his girlfriend and hid her body under a bed for a month while impersonating her in online requests seeking cash, authorities said.
Rahim Johnson, 43, of Trenton, is facing murder and weapons offenses in the killing of Victoria Lee, 26, of Plainsboro.
They had been living together in Lee’s residence when Johnson strangled and stabbed Lee to death on Jan. 24, authorities said in court documents in support of the charges.
Johnson used bed coverings and clothes to hide Lee’s body, authorities said.
Lee’s father last saw her at the residence on Jan. 24. He reported her missing on Jan. 30.
Plainsboro police launched an investigation and her phone pinged in the area of Southard Street in Trenton on Jan. 31.
During the month Lee was dead and considered missing, Johnson used her phone to send requests for money using Zelle and Cash App, authorities said.
Her father was among those who received the requests, authorities said.
Johnson also accessed her bank account in Trenton, authorities said.
Police found Lee’s body on Tuesday and arrested Johnson the next day on a warrant for a parole violation, the complaint said. Johnson has a lengthy criminal history, according to records.
Johnson was interviewed by police the day before his arrest and claimed Lee had also sent him requests for money, authorities said.
Johnson told investigators after being arrested that Lee cut him with a knife and attempted to strangle herself with an extension cord, authorities said.
Johnson claimed he tried to stop her but added that he was “out of it” so he didn’t know if he had something to do with her death, authorities said.
He told police that once he “came to,” he hid her body under the bed and took her phone.
A detention hearing for Johnson is scheduled for Tuesday. Attorney information wasn’t available.
Editor’s Note: Reach the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-SAFE (7233). Reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), chat with their advocates here or text LOVEIS to 22522.
Stories by Jeff Goldman
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.