AKRON, Ohio — A Barberton man will most likely spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to the brutal killing of a 23-year-old woman more than three decades ago in Akron.
Daniel Rees, 60, received his sentence Friday in Summit Common Pleas Court. Judge Susan Baker Ross ruled he will be eligible for parole after 30 years, when he is roughly aged 90.
Rees' case dates all the way back to March 30, 1991, when Rachael Johnson went out with a friend but walked away from their vehicle after the two had car trouble on Dan Street. According to investigators, Rees beat, stabbed, and sexually assaulted Johnson before eventually killing her by setting her on fire. Her body was found a few hours later dumped several blocks away on Weller Avenue.
The investigation into Johnson's death soon went cold, but in March of 2020, Akron police arrested Rees after DNA genealogy linked him to the crime. He was charged with aggravated murder, and his guilty plea means he will officially avoid the death penalty.
Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh released the following statement:
"Over 30 years ago Rachael searched for help and found tragedy at the hands of Daniel Rees. Even though this happened decades ago, Rachael's family and friends have had to live through it every day since 1991. I'm pleased to know our community is safer with Daniel Rees locked up for the rest of his life. I want to thank everyone involved in this case for tirelessly working to bring justice to Rachael and her family."