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Two boys die mysteriously in a shack fire.  Scott Johnson  The shack they played in caught fire CASE DETAILS Bullhead City, Arizona, is a small, desert community on the banks of the Colorado River. Sue Johnson moved there from California in 1973. She and her husband felt it was a great place to raise their children, Scott and Angel. Sue recalls how her children took to the place immediately:
 A criminal claimed he witnessed the murder Less than fifty yards from the Johnson’s new home stood an old shed once used by copper miners as a powder magazine. It became a playhouse for Scott and his friends. Sue used to watch them play in it:
On April 3rd, 1974, at 3:45 P.M., the Bullhead City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call: the old powder magazine was on fire. Former Bullhead City Fire Chief Larry Adams remembers the details vividly:
 Other witnesses corroborated the murder theory What Adams found was the badly burned bodies of Scott Johnson and one of his friends. Seven weeks later, the coroner concluded that the two boys had died accidentally, suggesting they were probably playing with matches and gasoline when the shed caught fire. Sue Johnson didn’t buy it:
Sue Johnson was not alone in her opinion. From the beginning, former Fire Chief Adams also believed that Scott and his friend were victims of foul play. He had noticed that the door of the shack had not been locked or obstructed in any way:
A few feet from the door, Adams found a 2-by-12-inch wooden plank. Adams thought it was odd that the board had a small charred circle on one side:
Despite this evidence, police closed the case. As the months went by, Sue Johnson continued her efforts to have the case reopened. Four years after the fire, Dale Gordon Meador, a convicted felon, came forward with a shocking story. Meador was serving time at a county jail in New Mexico. At the time of the fire, he was living in Bullhead City. Former Detective Robert L. Melton was one of the men who spoke with Dale Meador:
Dale Meador told police that he came to know one of the men while serving time at a prison in Nevada. Authorities questioned the man that Meador accused of setting the fire, but they were unable to make a case. However, other witnesses backed up Dale Meador’s account. Residents Tena Moe and John Kalous reported the fire on the day Scott Johnson and his friend died. They are also convinced that the boys were murdered. At the time of the fire, Tena and John were teenagers. Like Dale, Tena recalled seeing two men:
John Kalous was with Tena and also saw the event unfold:
John and Tena told police about the two men they had seen. However, John believes their statements were ignored because of their own previous scrapes with the law:
As time passed, the tragedy faded from public memory. But Sue Johnson continued her quest for the truth:
In 1989, Dale Lent became the new Chief of Detectives. He reopened the case as a murder investigation:
Were Scott Johnson and his friend deliberately burned to death? If so, why would anyone kill two ten-year-old boys? One clue may be the unusual discovery that Scott made three weeks before his death: a $100 bill. Sue Johnson believes that could have been a small key:
To date, no answers have been found, but Sue Johnson refuses to give up hope:
Detectives hope that a new witness will come forward and provide information that will point them to the killer. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season four with Robert Stack and in season eight with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. SUBMIT A TIP |
Corrupted States of America
This case looks and sounds like a police and dealer partnership. Blatant eye witness testimonies and evidence of tools used to keep the door shut prove that. There’s a person or persons in the force that doesn’t want to be linked to the murderers.
Anonymous
I always wondered if the tip I gave a few years ago, about this case was looked into. We have a longstanding family ‘rumor’ that was told to me, where they confessed to a similar crime in that area. No one wanted to call the police out of fear. Maybe an official will see this and let me know if it was investigated.
Lynn
So sorry for your loss. I know someone who tried to shed light on this case, despite being terrified. The responding officer was uninterested, appeared annoyed more than anything
Jeff
I have no doubt in my mind that these two innocent boys were murdered in cold blood rather they saw something or what reason it is horrible and wrong by now the killer(s) would probably be dead my prayers are always with these boys’ loved ones
Allisondra
So sad that 2 little boys lost their lives. What makes it even worse is that their deaths have not been acknowledged as murder, no investigation has been done so far, and no justice has been served. the families of these boys deserve answers, and someone has to pay for their crime. I have a 9 year old son myself, and couldn’t imagine losing him at all, let alone is such a tragic and cruel way. My thoughts and prayers for these boys’ loved ones.
Jen
Tena Moe and John Kalous need to investigated!! In watching his interview (John Klous) I felt he was lying. And they reported the fire. Give em a lie detector exam. I truly feel this case would then be solved. And Scott and Billy would have justice.
HerculePoirotJr
Polygraphs are no longer admissible in court for a reason. They cannot detect truth or deception and are easily beaten. LE only uses them as an investigative tool now.
Jennifer
Sorry for you to loss Mike Hill. I have followed this case since it first aired. My gut feeling is that Tena Moe and John Kalous did this. They reported it. I truly feel if they were pressed more and given a polygraph that this case would be solved. At the time they were troubled teens and I’m guessing that the boys saw something they were involved in and that lead to their deaths. I hope this case is solved. You and your family and Scott’s family deserve peace and answers.
Lw
Why is there no smoke on the outside of the door? It seems that if the door wasnt covered that smoke would pour out the handle hole.
Jami
There’s none cuz they covered the hole with the plank of wood to hold it closed whole the kids were dying
Alexis
I find it interesting that nothing was ever said about the other little boy who lost his life, not even a picture. There barely is any mention of him, why is this?
Kb
By request of the family of the boy, his information has always been left out.
Anonymous
I used to live in Bullhead, Az I was with a man Steven Thomas West. When I met him he was in a wheelchair. Before he got paralyzed he was able to walk. A few times the undercover police would come to talk to him, and Steve would tell me to leave. When I came back I would ask m what they wanted and he would tell me a completely different story then what I saw on Unsolved Mysteries I really believe Stephen West had something to do with the murder of them two boys in Bullhead City Arizona the man that was with him was convicted and sent to prison for life but why they did not come back Stephen West to charge him with the murder of them two boys I live there with Steven at 410 River Glen Bullhead City Arizona for 4 years it was the worst time of my whole life I finally left and came back to Phoenix in 1996 I never came back to Bullhead City ever but did learn that Stephen West was killed in an automobile accident around 2000 2001 I think it’s really sad that the police department can even come back Stephen West and then two boys murdered Police Department in Bullhead City is really a sad sad Police Department setting two little boys had been murdered in a very cruel way I hope that Steven was dressed in hell and that man that was with him and serving time I believe in California I hope he goes to hell right next to Steven
matt
what was the other story that stephen west would tell you
sade Wheeler
i think that was mean for killing them boys for no reson
Anonymous
How incredibly sad. Poor boys just being kids. May the murderers rot in hell.
Blue bird
What in the Hell Is Going On Here? Scott Johnson And his friend Were Murdered ! And to U People At Unsolved mysteries I Love Your Show Good Luck!
Mother Of A BHC Runaway
My daughter ran away when she was 14 was in California at the time… Her boyfriends mother came and picked her up without consent from me or anyone else that would be responsible for my daughter crossing state lines. The BHC PD said that running away was not illegal… There were sightings of her in BHC the police never questioned her bf mother or even tried. When someone would tell me that she was at a house mysteriously she wouldn’t be there anymore by the time the PD got there. Turns out the mother of one of her friends was working for dispatch and tipping her off every time they were called. Anyway a month later she was found in a house full of underage kids drinking several had to be taken to the hospital for alchoal poisoning. The mother still never was even slapped on the wrists or anything for what I call kidnappings my daughter for her son. Ridiculous. But at least my daughter realized the kind of crowd she was hanging with was no good and changed her ways and is now a mother herself(this happened almost six years ago) and hopefully will not have to deal with what we did from her daughter!
Azgrl
Thats because you didnt have custody of your daughter!!! And look where your at now dealing drugs being raided ect. Your no angel yourself and your daughter turned out amazing and is an amazing Mother!!!
I HATE BULLHEAD
Bullhead is full of incompatant lazy ignorant people. But so is any city you go to. Doesn’t mean everyone is. Just who you choose to surround yourself with. As far as the law hors in bullhead…. Not the best.. I do have to admit. My daughter ran away and they told me that running a way was not illegal, (she was 15) and the fact that she was taken from California back to bullhead city Arizona by her boyfriends mom whom didn’t have permission at all by me or anyone else who my daughter would receive permission from didn’t make them try to find her or even question the boys mom about it a priority whatsoever. They tried knocking on the door once and that was about it. Them when I would receive calls telling me that my daughter was spotted at a house when I called dispatch to send out a car her response was ” I will if we have a chance to…” Turns out the dispatch lady was one of my daughters friends mother who was in on her disappearing and would alert my daughter or the house she was at that they were on their way evryyime, making it so when they arrived the house she would be at would be empty. She was found about a month later at a house party where several underage drunk kids had to be rushed to the hospital and has been straightened out ever since then thank goodness for that. But if this is the kind of people in Bullhead that is working for the people… Things need to change because obviously its been that way for years.
rob main
i think what happened here was it was a drug deal gone bad and the boys came across something they shouldn’t have had.the hundred dollar bill is was dropped in a drug transaction robbmain@hotmail.com.
Linc
I was a 11 year old runaway in 74. Many of us kids were from L.A. foster homes. AZ. was popular spot to transport dope, kids were the best mules-did not draw attention from the man. This was a very bad scene that happened in B.H. City, a kid/courier was hurt/wounded-cash was missing for the drop, the dealers went looking for the $, found 2 boys, a 6 year old & a 10 year old….
Mandy
I’m sorry for your loss Mike Hill. This case is definitely suspicious, and I do believe that those two young innocent boys were victims of murder. Absolutely horrible. I hope that someday this case will be solved, and that the family members finally get the justice they deserve.
mike Hill
My brother’s name was Peter Hill. Scott Johnson was actually my friend, but for some reason he was hanging out with my brother and found a hundred dollar bill. I don’t know if the hundred dollar bill had to do with anything but it still could be a good piece of evidence. Peter was 6 years old and was a very inspirational brother. I will always remember him as a caring brother. R.I.P Peter. My family and I will miss him always
Dan G
Can you tell me where in Bullhead City this occurred?
jenn
hey Mike, My name is Jenn my mother is scotts sister. SO Scott would have been my uncle. I truly hope someday this will get figured out.
Pam
It’s a cruel world and with the advanced technology of DNA, thi case should be solvable. Please let a bulldog detective in the cold case unit pick up this case and solve this horrific crime. SOMEONE has to speak for those murdered children.
Ebz
THIS was a cover up. Several reports of 2 men and even claim of witness to the murder.
What a terrible world we live in
Debra Ballinger
WOW! I do not believe it was police corruption or deliberate…maybe just failure to cover the issue forcefully? I pray for your justice!
mike Hill
Other victim was my brother didn’t know half of this info parents didn’t talk about it my son looked it up and showed me I was in same grade as scott
Ursula
Hi Mike. So sorry for your loss. I’ve been curious about this case ever since it first aired. Still no new leads? I hope your family’s get justice soon.
Rebecca
I agree they were deliberately murdered, those boys didn’t get a chance to grow up. Such an inhumane act, how could someone do that to two children. I hope the killer or killers are brought to justice it is never too late. Justice for the two boys and for their parents as well. Too many unanswered questions, but someone has the answers, they really need to come forward this family need closure.
Dahlia
Scott and Peter were obviously murdered. It was reported neighbours heard the boys screaming out for help, and since the door was easily able to be pushed open for entry/exit, someone must have held it shut to trap them inside and set the powder magazine alight. The $100 bill is an interesting clue. To me it was homicide and I hope somebody is arrested soon and pays for this horrific crime.