A Texas woman has been arrested in connection with the cold-blooded 2003 murder of her former husband, Jerry Don Humphrey, who was gunned down in his bed nearly two decades ago. Jody Johnston, 22 years after the crime, was taken into custody on Monday, December 22, and charged with capital murder in the death of Humphrey, a 40-year-old repo man.
Humphrey was found dead on December 22, 2003, by his father-in-law, who called 911 after discovering Humphrey’s lifeless body in his bed. The victim had been shot three times in the back of the head. When first responders arrived, it was too late; Humphrey was already dead. Police said there were no signs of forced entry into the home and nothing had been stolen, raising suspicions of a targeted attack. At the time of his death, Jody Johnston was reportedly at work, and their children were not at home.
The case remained unsolved for years until new developments led to an arrest in 2020. Former Texas State Impound and Recovery Inc. employee Angel Amescua, 44, was arrested in March 2020 and identified as a person directly involved with the murder. Amescua had been fired by Humphrey, according to investigators. He entered a not guilty plea, and his trial is scheduled for April 2026.
Johnston’s arrest on the 22nd anniversary of Humphrey’s death marked a pivotal moment in the investigation. Stafford Police Lieutenant Luciano Lopez spoke about the significance of the timing: “Making an arrest on the 22nd anniversary of this crime serves as a powerful reminder that justice has no expiration date.”
Johnston did not resist arrest when officers arrived at her home, but as of December 23, it was unclear whether she had entered a plea or secured legal representation. Authorities have not yet revealed a motive for the murder.
Humphrey’s case was the subject of an episode of Cold Justice on Oxygen Channel in 2021, titled “Holiday Homicide,” where investigators uncovered a history of abuse, infidelities, and a possible murder-for-hire plot, which helped reawaken interest in the cold case.
The victim’s sister, Rita Humphrey, has been vocal in keeping the case alive in the media, even posting contact information for investigators on Facebook in hopes of generating more tips.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at (281) 342-TIPS (8477), with a reward of up to $5,000 for tips that lead to an arrest.
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