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New Details Regarding Attempted Homicide Case in Tomah

Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 -- 12:00 PM

(WEAU Staff, WEAU) A criminal complaint reveals new details in an attempted homicide case in Tomah.

A criminal complaint shows 38-year-old Derek Johnson is charged with the following:

  • attempted 1st degree intentional homicide
  • aggravated battery
  • strangulation and suffocation
  • false imprisonment
  • strangulation and suffocation
  • failure to comply with officer’s attempt to take person into custody

According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 6, 2026, at around 1:13 p.m., authorities responded to a report of a disturbance at a home in the city of Tomah. The criminal complaint goes on to say when authorities arrived, they found a large amount of blood smeared around the exterior door, door frame, and on the front deck of the home.

Authorities also found a bloody hammer near the doorway. Authorities found the victim on the floor inside of the home with a large amount of blood around her head, and near where she was laying.

There were bloody handprints indicating the victim may have crawled at one point. The victim pleaded for help and was not able to move. Authorities were able to get the victim out to the front porch, and out of the home.

EMS took the victim from the scene. According to the complaint, Johnson was in a back bedroom and threw a bloody knife into the hallway before eventually surrendering. He reportedly told officers, “I hit her with a hammer,” and said she had stabbed him.

Officers reported Johnson had no visible injuries when they first saw him, but later had a severe neck cut. The victim said Johnson first choked her from behind, threw her to the floor, and hit her repeatedly with a hammer.

She said she reached the porch and screamed for help, but Johnson pulled her back inside and choked her again. The criminal complaint says the victim suffered severe facial injuries and skull fractures.

She was eventually taken by helicopter for advanced medical care. Online court records show the court set a $1,000,000 cash bond for Johnson. An initial court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 16, 2026.

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