Montana authorities are seeking Cherece Lashun Johnson in connection with the death of her grandmother, Irene “Bonnie” Johnson. The 83-year-old’s son, Raque Sterling, says he learned she had died in Montana after receiving an ambulance-service bill—nearly two years after he began trying to find her.
A Bill That Revealed Where She Died
Sterling told WREG that relatives said in May that his mother had died in California and had been cremated. He said the Montana ambulance bill instead showed she had died at a hospital there. Sterling said he had spent about two years trying to locate his mother and had not been told where she was living.
Sterling’s wife, Melissa McKinney, said the family had not received the Montana medical invoice and otherwise might not have learned what happened to Johnson. Sterling said he sought help because he believed his mother was in danger. He said he now fears she suffered alone and may have tried to call for him but been unable to reach him.
A Severe Decline Before Her Death
Sterling said his mother had Alzheimer’s disease and was helpless. He described lacerations and bruises on her legs, malnutrition, dehydration and a staph infection, and said he believed her condition showed she had gone without medical care for years. Logan Medical Service transported Johnson from Shelby to Benefis Hospital in Great Falls because, Sterling said, the Shelby facility could not treat her severe condition and the Great Falls hospital was larger.
McKinney said Johnson was hospitalized from March 20, 2026, until her death on May 5, 2026.
Three Charges, an Uncertain Trail
Montana authorities say Cherece Lashun Johnson is wanted on charges of negligent homicide, neglect of a vulnerable adult, and obstructing a peace officer or other public servant. Montana law defines negligent homicide as negligently causing another person’s death, according to the Montana Code Annotated. The obstruction statute applies to knowingly obstructing, impairing or hindering enforcement of the criminal law, preservation of the peace, or a public servant’s duties.
Montana law defines neglect of a vulnerable adult as a failure by someone who has assumed responsibility for the adult’s care to provide necessities or services needed to maintain the adult’s physical or mental health, according to the Montana Code Annotated. A negligent-homicide conviction can carry up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both.
Authorities said Johnson has several aliases and most recently lived in Billings. Sterling said he believes she may be in the Memphis area, where she has family in Memphis and West Memphis, Arkansas. He said he wants her imprisoned for what happened to his mother.
Family Asks the Public for Help
The Montana Department of Justice has publicized the search for Cherece Johnson, asking the public for tips at 406-594-8751. Memphis Crime Stoppers can also be reached at 901-528-CASH for anyone with information on her whereabouts.
Sterling’s account has drawn his family’s grief into a search spanning Montana and the Mid-South. He is asking the public to help locate his niece, whom he says is responsible for his mother’s suffering and death.
