Naasire Johnson was 20 when he left his family’s West Philadelphia home in mid-February 2022 and took an Uber to the Brewerytown residence of Kylen Pratt on February 17. Prosecutors said the two were in a romantic relationship and later argued that motive stemmed from Pratt not wanting the relationship known. Shortly after Johnson arrived, Pratt shot him in the neck.

Johnson’s charred remains were discovered on a cobblestone trail in Fairmount Park on February 20. The body was so badly burned that identification required DNA analysis; the medical examiner ruled the cause of death a gunshot wound to the neck and classified it a homicide. Family members had reported him missing and held a vigil the week before the body was found.

An anonymous tip and cell phone records focused investigators on Pratt; records placed him with Johnson at the time of the killing and in Fairmount Park where the body was dumped. Police say they recovered a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, blood-soaked carpet padding and hardwood flooring, and a recently bleached section of carpeting from Pratt’s home. Searches on Pratt’s phone included news about the discovery, traits of a psychopath, having sex with dead bodies, and killing in cold blood. Pratt was arrested June 16, 2022, charged with murder and related offenses, and later convicted of first-degree murder and other counts. Does anyone have information about Johnson’s movements in Philadelphia the week before he disappeared?