An adult film star has been convicted of murder for the brutal killing of her ex-husband, who was found headless and covered in chemicals at his residence. Devyn Michaels, aged 47, could face a lifetime in prison for the death of Johnathan Willette, aged 46. The victim’s body, wrapped in blankets and blood, was discovered by his distressed mother, as stated in an arrest report. Prosecutors alleged that Michaels, a porn star from Las Vegas, executed the crime out of jealousy towards Willette, who had gained sole custody of their two children.
During Michaels’ trial, prosecutor John Giordani cautioned the jury to brace themselves for a tumultuous journey as he presented evidence, including crime-scene photographs. Michaels confessed to hitting Willette with a candlestick-like object during a massage in his bedroom, as revealed in court footage. She admitted to cutting off his head and transporting it to her home in a laundry basket before disposing of it in a local bin in August 2023.
Michaels, who had been in an on-and-off relationship with Willette and shared two daughters, married him in 2012 but divorced him in 2018. Surprisingly, she later wed Willette’s son, Deviere Willette, aged 29, under the guise of a convenience marriage. Deviere denied any involvement in his father’s demise, despite attempts by Michaels’ defense to implicate him as a suspect.
Despite Michaels pleading guilty to second-degree murder last fall as part of a plea bargain carrying a 15-year prison term with parole eligibility, she later retracted her admission of guilt during her sentencing hearing in July, claiming innocence. Subsequently, prosecutors pursued a first-degree murder trial, culminating in this week’s guilty verdict by the jury.
Prosecutors did not pursue the death penalty, and Michaels is set to be sentenced on January 8, facing the possibility of life imprisonment with or without parole. The lead prosecutor alleged that Michaels committed the murder to facilitate a future with Willette’s son, based on statements from People magazine. The prosecution displayed a family photo featuring Michaels, Deviere, and her children to the jury, underscoring Michaels’ purported motive for the crime.