Police say a murder-suicide by a woman in California could have been due to her belief that the solar eclipse would bring an apocalypse.
On Monday, April 7, the day before the eclipse, Danielle Johnson, also known online as Danielle Ayoka, an astrology influencer with a significant online presence, ended her life, her partner’s, and one of her daughters through violent acts across Los Angeles.
Her actions, fueled by apocalyptic fears tied to the total solar eclipse seen over North America, left the community in shock and law enforcement piecing together the events that led to the incidents.
Johnson, 34, shared her escalating concerns over an upcoming solar eclipse on social media, labeling it “the epitome of spiritual warfare.” She urged her 106,000 followers to make existential choices, reflecting a belief in gloom and doom. Her postings, a mix of astrology insights and self-help for $2.99, along with antisemitic and conspiracy-laden content, showcased a descent into doomsday paranoia.
She also accused the government and media of trying to cover up the impending apocalypse.
“THESE ARE ALL THE WAYS THEY HAVE BEEN PROGRAMMING US WITH LIES!!! LOOK AT THESE TO UNDERSTAND THE AGENDA THIS IS REAL THIS IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE,” she wrote.
The series of events began with the fatal stabbing in the heart of her live-in boyfriend, 29-year-old Jaelen Allen Chaney, after an argument in their Woodland Hills apartment. Witnessed by her nine-year-old daughter, the crime marked the beginning of a spree that saw Johnson flee with her two daughters, aged nine and eight months, in a Porsche Cayenne.
Johnson forcibly tossed her daughters out of her moving vehicle on the freeway. While the older child, clutching her sister, survived, the infant was found dead. Johnson’s life ended in Redondo Beach, where she crashed into a tree at over 100 mph.
The scene at the apartment revealed evidence of Johnson’s attempt to remove Chaney’s body, alongside evidence of her hasty departure, including bloody footprints, black feathers, and tarot cards.
Investigations into Johnson’s motives noted no history of domestic violence between her and Chaney, suggesting her actions were not due to domestic disputes.
The incident has sparked dialogue among law enforcement, mental health experts, and the public about the potential dangers of extreme beliefs and the critical importance of mental health interventions.
As the investigation continues, the loss felt by the community, the trauma suffered by the surviving nine-year-old girl, and the broader societal implications remain at the forefront of discussions on how to prevent such tragedies in the future.
