Man charged with murder after Houston woman found dead in trunk of car

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A man has been charged with murder after the body of a 28-year-old Houston woman, who had been strangled, was found in the trunk of his car, authorities say.

Police say 35-year-old Victor Campbell Jr. has been charged in the murder of Briana Johnson. He’s being held at the Jefferson County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Texas state troopers found Johnson’s body while searching a car involved in a chase that began in Chambers County last week. Campbell, who was driving the car, was speeding while headed eastbound on I-10 when a trooper pulled him over near FM 365, authorities said.

He took off from the traffic stop, leading troopers on the chase that ended when he crashed near a church resale shop parking lot in Beaumont.

An autopsy determined that Johnson died by manual strangulation, according to a Jefferson County Justice of the Peace. Campbell also faces additional charges for felony evading arrest, driving while intoxicated, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse.

He has several previous charges for family violence.

Meanwhile, Johnson’s friends told Eyewitness News she was loved by many and had an unforgettable sense of humor, loved make-up and would share her work on her YouTube channel. Johnson was also a Texas Southern University graduate.

“She was happy,” said friend Cierra Kenner. “She always kept me laughing.”