NEW ULM — A 58-year-old Searles man arrested after his wife Debra L. Johnson, 69, was found dead in their home Thursday was charged with felony criminal neglect and felony receiving stolen property Friday in Brown County District Court.

Judge Robert Docherty set Duane A. Johnson’s unconditional bail at $250,000; $150,000 with conditions. A Rule 8 hearing in the case was set for 11:45 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8.

According to a complaint, Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Fairbairn learned of a deceased person at 18151 Sperl Ave., Searles, at 11:44 a.m. Thursday. Fairbairn and several officers from the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, New Ulm Police Dept. and the Brown Lincoln Renville Redwood (BLRR) Drug Task Force went to the location.

At the residence, Johnson, appearing to be naked, swung open the screen door and yelled “my wife is dead upstairs.”

Johnson said his wife was “shaking so violently” and he “couldn’t stand seeing her flop around anymore.”

After other officers arrived, the body of Debra L. Johnson was found at the top of a narrow stairway. Her body was wrapped tightly in a gray bed sheet from head to toe, fastened with what appeared to be a belt.

Johnson said the woman was his wife. When asked why he wrapped her in a bed sheet, he said “I prepared the dead like the Bible told me to do.” In addition, Johnson said he was following the ways of the Old Testament by “cleaning her, making her beautiful and wrapping her in linen.”

Officers checked the woman for vitals, did not detect a pulse and noticed some rigor mortis on her arms. Officers noted the woman felt warm to the touch.

Johnson said he promised to take care of Debra Johnson and she had been “flopping” around for two days and she could not eat or drink. He said he held her tight to keep her from hurting herself on the floor.

In addition, Johnson said his wife had been in a nursing home and that she begged him to get her out because she wanted to die at home. Johnson said his wife couldn’t sleep because she shook so badly, and that he couldn’t stand to see her suffer anymore.

Johnson said his wife did not want him to call 911 as she didn’t want to be in pain anymore. He said he didn’t mind taking care of her but he couldn’t stand to see her suffer.

In addition, Johnson said he had a “death party” for his wife that began about five days ago because that’s what she requested.

Johnson said he didn’t assist his wife in her death and he only wanted her to be comfortable. He said he was in less pain now that his wife died because God gave him mercy and relieved some of his pain.

Officers contacted New Ulm Medical Center regarding Debra Johnson’s medical condition and were informed that she had two previous cardiac arrests and issues with high blood pressure and diabetes. In addition, she was taking some prescription medication for a mental illness, had affective disorder, and was hospitalized once for manic symptoms.

In September 2018, Johnson removed his wife from care at Meeker Manor Transitional Care, contrary to medical advice.

In addition, Johnson said he had been using methamphetamine for several days and gave some to his wife about 2 1/2 days ago.

Johnson told police he had at least 47 guns at the residence, many of which were stolen. During a search of the residence, many boxes of ammunition were found, plus a Henry Cal .22 Magnum rifle, Marlin 39A .22 rifle, a 54 caliber muzzle loader, a Harrington & Richardson 10 gauge shotgun, Springfield 67H 12 gauge, unidentified pills, and prescription Hydralazine and an empty bottle of Benztropine with his wife’s name on both containers.

Johnson’s wife meets the definition of a vulnerable adult pursuant to Minnesota Statute 609.232 Subd. 11(4). Duane Johnson meets the caregiver definition pursuant to MS 609.232 Subd. 2, according to the complaint.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.