The Importance of Being Aware of Your Surroundings at Any Age

Author Don Johnson honors his late wife Ellen Crawford Johnson’s legacy in his new true crime book “Who’s Watching You?”

On a sunny Sunday morning on March 11, 2001, my wife, Ellen Crawford Johnson, was returning to her truck after purchasing groceries at our local Walmart in Louisana when she was suddenly attacked and abducted by an assailant she would later learn had only been released from prison two weeks prior. Although the shopping mall parking lot had working security cameras, no one was actively watching the footage at the time of her attack nor did anyone in the parking lot witness her abduction. At the age of 52, Ellen endured multiple stab wounds, sexual assault and a jump from a vehicle travelling over 50 miles per hour. Ellen fought to survive, exhibiting a fierce courage that not only saved her life and convicted her attacker but also helped ensure justice for other victims.

My new book, “Who’s Watching You?” pays tribute to Ellen and shares her powerful true story of survival while also stressing the importance of being aware of ones surrounding at any age and stage in life. Through the book, readers come to learn who Ellen was and witness her determination, bravery and strength as she fought back against her attacker, faced him in court and offered her testimony in support of criminal DNA testing, the latter playing a pivotal role in making DNA collection from arrestees a statewide practice in Louisiana.

The book also details how biological evidence from the stolen truck and rape kit helped identify Ellen’s attacker and ensured the jury would find him guilty beyond all reasonable doubt and raises awareness around assault and the devastating and lasting impact it has on the lives of victims and their families.

Ellen and I met in 1990 and were married until she passed away from cancer in 2018. I was inspired to share her story to fulfill my promise to continue to spread her legacy and encourage women to have strength in the worst of situations just as my beloved wife had done.

Don Johnson is a veteran and has professional experience as a farmer, oil field worker, associate accountant and real estate marketer. He currently resides in St. Amant, Louisiana. “Who’s Watching You?” is his first book and is available for purchase through Amazon.




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