Shivangi Sinha
In the aftermath of Johnia Berry’s brutal murder in December 2004, investigators initially focused on those closest to her. This included her roommate, Jason Aymami, and her then-fiancé, Jason White. Since Aymami was present during the attack and managed to escape with injuries, and White was emotionally close to Johnia, both were logical subjects of early scrutiny. Investigators thoroughly examined their statements, timelines, and any possible motives. However, after extensive questioning and evidence review, both men were cleared of any involvement in the crime. ABC’s ‘20/20’ episode ‘Blood on the Doors’ revisits these early leads and how the investigation eventually led to the true killer, years later.
Jason Aymami Managed to Flee From the Murderer Who Killed Johnia Berry
Jason Aymami was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and began attending East Tennessee State University in 2000 to pursue a BBA in Accounting. He enjoyed the independence of college life and the experience of living on his own. In late 2004, he became roommates with Johnia Berry, who had recently started her master’s program at the University of Tennessee. He was her friend and was even dating a close friend of Johnia. The two moved into an apartment complex in Knoxville and developed a friendly, respectful dynamic. Aymami described Johnia as a kind and easygoing person, and said they got along well. But in the early morning hours of December 6, 2004, around 4 am, he was jolted awake by screams coming from within their apartment.
In a later interview, Aymami recalled that he initially thought Johnia was having a bad dream when he heard Johnia’s screams in the early morning hours. Still half-asleep, he noticed the number 4 glowing on his clock before getting up to check on her. As he opened his bedroom door, he was confronted by an unknown male figure and was immediately attacked. Aymami sustained multiple stab wounds to his hands, fingers, arm, and shoulders as the intruder tried to pin him down. In a split-second decision, he broke free and ran outside. He called 911 and reported the violent incident. When authorities arrived, they discovered Johnia lying near the front entrance of the apartment complex. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she was pronounced dead from multiple stab wounds. Aymami, also hospitalized, gave his official statement to police the following day, on December 7, 2004.
Initially, police suspected Aymami due to perceived inconsistencies in his statements and the nature of his injuries. They were notably less severe and cleaner than those sustained by Johnia. This led investigators to consider him a suspect briefly. However, Aymami assisted authorities in creating a composite sketch of the attacker, though it did not yield any solid leads. In January 2005, he agreed to take a second polygraph test, which he passed. Additionally, forensic analysis revealed a third DNA profile on the knife used in the attack, confirming the involvement of an unknown intruder. Aymami kept a low profile as the investigation continued, but in a rare interview, he spoke candidly about the emotional toll, his struggles with trauma and sleeplessness. He said he had spent time recovering with his sister and brother-in-law. Eventually, he made the decision to return home and begin rebuilding his life.
Jason Aymami is Working as a Chief Financial Officer Today
After recovering from the events surrounding Johnia Berry’s murder, Jason Aymani gradually rebuilt his life, both personally and professionally. He began working as a Profit and Loss Analyst at TransMontaigne in April 2005, just months after the incident. By late 2007, he briefly held a position as a Financial Accountant at Chevron Mining Inc. before choosing to further his education. In 2011, Aymami enrolled at the Metropolitan State University of Denver to pursue a Master of Professional Accountancy while also returning to TransMontaigne as a Senior Accountant.
Over the years, he steadily advanced through the ranks of corporate finance, holding significant leadership roles including Accounting Manager at WhitMar Exploration Company, VP of Finance and Accounting at Accelerated Oil Technologies, and Director of Finance and Accounting at Jviation, Inc. Since August 2019, he has served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at AHG Management, based in Austin, Texas. He is a Certified Public Accountant with licenses from both the Colorado and New Jersey State Boards of Accountancy. While Aymami has maintained a professional presence in the business world, he has chosen to keep his personal life private, rarely speaking about the past or his life outside of work.
Jason White Keeps a Low Profile These Days
At the time of her death, Johnia Berry was engaged to Jason White, a law student studying in Michigan. The couple was deeply in love and had plans to marry in the near future. When Jason heard the news of Johnia’s murder, he was in complete shock and disbelief. Like many close to the victim in such cases, he soon found himself under scrutiny as investigators initially explored the possibility of intimate partner violence. However, after a thorough investigation, he was fully cleared of any involvement. Since then, he has maintained a low profile and stayed out of the public eye, choosing privacy in the face of unimaginable loss.
Read More: Where Are Johnia Berry’s Parents and Brother Now?
