The 36-year-old relative was also one of Nelly's bodyguards and confidant. A few close sources from Nelly's camp state that he is pretty distraught over his cousin's murder.

To add insult to injury, a St. Louis local news outlet was not only falsely reporting about the incident but also harassing the Grammy award–winning artist with questions about the murder, while he was handing out full-ride scholarships at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. Nelly was clearly angry at the local news station for not exercising some measure of restraint.

The rap sensation took out his frustrations over the twisted news stories and press insensitivity on Twitter. He tweeted:

"Channel 2 stl don't Ever have 2worry about another interview from me or a stlunatic ever again!!There not invited 2any of my functions!! Why would you channel 2 mix me giving away scholarships 2students with the murder of my cuzzen after I told u I didn't want 2talk about it Ino its your right channel 2 but Y is it when a brother goes to do good they wanna make the bad the headline?thanx for the home town support After watching channel 2's broadcast its clear to me about motives! my cuzzen deserved his own segment as well as the 2 deserving students!! I'm NEVER WATCHING CHANNEL 2 news in stl ever again!!! STLOUIS SPREAD THE WORD!!!"

Johnson was shot numerous times outside a residence according to police reports, and so far, there are no suspects or motives for the crime.