Michigan man pleads no contest in death of girlfriend who was tortured with pliers, beaten with wrench, and burned

SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, Mich. (TCN) -- A man accused of torturing and killing his girlfriend in a motel in 2024 has pleaded no contest to three charges, including second-degree murder and torture. 

WJRT reports Daniel Varnes, 46, faces up to 32 years in prison when he is sentenced in connection with the death of 46-year-old Teressa Johnson. Johnson was found deceased from multiple traumatic injuries on Sept. 1, 2024, inside a motel room at a Rodeway Inn and Suites.

According to Michigan Live, during a preliminary examination in July 2025, Erik Lechner testified he had agreed to sell crack cocaine to Varnes at a gas station on Aug. 31, 2024. It was reportedly located near the motel. After receiving the drugs, Varnes ran off without paying him the $60 owed, and Lechner called him.

Varnes reportedly told Lechner to come to his motel room. When he arrived, Lechner saw what appeared to be a person in bed under the covers. Varnes reportedly claimed he stole the crack cocaine to pay off people who were threatening him, then acknowledged the human shape and said he also had “this situation going on.”

He then lifted the covers and Lechner said he saw Johnson’s body, and she appeared to have been dead for some time. 

Lechner testified Varnes told him Johnson came back injured after visiting acquaintances and he had tried to care for her, but she died. Lechner testified he assumed Varnes had invited him to the room to help him dispose of the body, Michigan Live reports. Lechner left and told friends what had transpired and they convinced him to call 911. 

Michigan Live reports responding officers found Johnson’s malnourished body covered in blood, bruises, and contusions. Varnes fled as police arrived and was found hiding in the woods about 12 hours later.

WJRT reported at the time that Varnes was charged with torture, assault with intent to murder, and concealing the death of an individual. He was denied bond.

Varnes told detectives he and Johnson had an on-again, off-again relationship and lived together at various motels. Varnes described Johnson as legally blind and mentally incapacitated, Michigan Live reports.

He admitted to abusing Johnson over the course of two weeks, including holding her nose shut with needle-nose pliers, kicking her face with his boots on, striking her with a wrench, and burning her face with a crack pipe. He said he did not report her death because he panicked and worried he would be blamed.

Items in the hotel room with Johnson’s blood on them included scissors, a ratchet, a tire plug, a diagonal cutter, screwdrivers, and pliers, according to Michigan Live.

Varnes’ case was stalled in court when his mental competency came into question, per WJRT. He underwent testing and was deemed fit to understand the charges and assist in his defense.

Michigan Live reports jury selection for his trial had been set to begin on March 3.

According to WJRT, a no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt. It indicates that Varnes will accept the charges. Je is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13, per Michigan Live.  

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