An autopsy report released by the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office has determined that fentanyl, along with cocaine as a contributing factor, is the cause of death for a seven-month-old Messiah Johnson. The infant, found deceased with his older sister Miracle Johnson and their mother Markayla Johnson, also had the sleep aid melatonin and diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, in his system. The report noted the presence of 4-ANPP, a substance commonly found in street-sold non-prescription fentanyl.

Last spoken to her family on January 20, the mother, Johnson, lived with her boyfriend, Benjamin Taylor, in a northeast Charlotte apartment. Johnson's family, having not heard from her since that day, reported her missing on March 3. According to a maintenance worker who entered the apartment when nobody answered, it appeared empty. However, a WBTV report detailed that on March 6, Taylor was captured on surveillance video leaving the state by bus.

The search for Johnson and her children continued until March 15 when authorities found her body inside a storage container in the apartment, surrounded by air fresheners and candles. The following day, police discovered the bodies of Messiah and Miracle Johnson inside the trunk of a car associated with Taylor. The tragic discovery included the two children tied up, with four-year-old Miracle showing signs of physical trauma. 

Miracle and Messiah Johnson both had fentanyl in their systems according to toxicology reports, said QC News. Found in two gym bags, Miracle exhibited bruises that appeared to be from an adult's grip and was restrained with a charging cord.

On March 16, the Imperial County Sheriff's Office in California detained Benjamin Taylor, the man who is suspected of killing all three family members, and he was subsequently extradited to North Carolina. With a court date set for August 22, Taylor faces the prospect of the death penalty for three counts of first-degree murder.