UA music professor found dead Saturday

By Kimberly Miller

Arizona Daily Wildcat

The body of a missing UA professor was found Saturday morning by a Department of Public Safety helicopter crew, and police believe they have his murderer in custody.

Roy Andrew Johnson, a University of Arizona music professor, had been missing since Tuesday night when he failed to return from a concert he was performing in at a Green Valley church. A multi-agency search began Wednesday night when Johnson's car was recovered in a remote desert area between Pima Mines Road and Campus Road.

The crew discovered Johnson, still wearing the black tuxedo he was last seen in, at about 10:45 a.m., Saturday, in a shallow wash off a dirt road about four miles north of West Ajo Way and South Sandario Road, and about four or five miles west of Gates Pass road. O'Connor said Johnson's body was surrounded by personal belongings.

The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.

"Basically he was beaten to death by some kind of blunt object but we're not disclosing what it is at this time," said Sgt. Michael O'Connor of the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

He said police believe Johnson fell victim to foul play when he stopped to help a woman who was flagging down cars along Interstate 19 Tuesday night.

An anonymous person called the Pima County Sheriff's Department Friday afternoon and told them that Johnson's body could be found in the Gates Pass area.

Late Wednesday night an officer from the Tohono O'odham Reservation recognized Johnson's car being driven into a remote desert area. When the officer followed, the driver stopped Johnson's silver 1993 Ford Taurus and ran into the desert.

Police arrested Beau J. Greene Friday for numerous misdemeanor warrants, aggravated assault, forgery and theft. Evidence in Johnson's car linked Greene to Johnson's disappearance and he was charged Saturday with first degree murder. O'Connor said police have witnesses who have stated that Greene is connected to the murder and is the man seen running from Johnson's car.

After his disappearance Johnson's credit cards were used at numerous department and specialty stores in Green Valley and the in Tucson area, O'Connor said.

It is believed Greene charged up to $500 at each store, and clerks from the stores are being asked to identify Greene in a lineup.

Police also arrested Kevin Mark Kennedy, 18, and his girlfriend, Marie DuMont, 26, for theft and

possession of stolen property in connection with Johnson's disappearance. The couple initially identified Greene as the driver of Johnson's car when they arrived, shortly after the police, at the scene of the abandoned vehicle.

Kennedy and DuMont were released yesterday after cooperating with police. O'Connor said charges may be brought against the couple in the future.

A search warrant was served on DuMont's Green Valley mobile home, in the 4200 block of West Calle Uno, Thursday.

While O'Connor would not disclose whether anything was found in the home, he did say DuMont and Kennedy were in possession of some of Johnson's personal belongings.

Johnson worked at the UA for 29 years. He taught private organ lessons and counterpoint music theory. In 1984 he was appointed director of Graduate Studies and held that post until 1992.

Professor Jeffrey Showell, a friend of Johnson's for 15 years, said he had a great relationship with everyone in the music department.

"He was much loved by students and faculty," Showell said. "He was a great colleague, helpful, even-tempered and a real gentlemen. You couldn't ask for better."

Johnson is survived by his wife Stardust, an associate director of curriculum at the UA, a son, Eric, of Missouri, and a daughter, Jennifer, of Phoenix.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

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