OTTUMWA — An Ottumwa man is being charged with murder after a fatal stabbing in the overnight hours yesterday.

On July 30, 2024 at approximately 1:02 a.m., police were called to Foster Park in Ottumwa on a report that someone had been stabbed with a knife.  Police arrived and identified the victim as Jeffrey Wayne Johns, age 40, of Ottumwa.  Johns had sustained a stab wound to his torso.  Johns was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center where he was pronounced dead.  

The Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation was contacted to assist the Ottumwa Police Department with the investigation.  

At approximately 9:12 a.m., members from the Ottumwa Police Department’s Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at 2209 E. Main Street.  The suspect in the homicide was found hiding in the attic area of this residence and taken into custody.  The suspect was identified as Joshua Michael, age 32, of 2209 E. Main.  

Michael was charged with Murder in the 1st Degree, a Class “A” Felony, for the death of Johns.