Taraji P. Henson "Didn't Have The Balls" To Tell Son His Father Had Been Murdered

BY Erika Marie 13.1K Views
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Taraji P. Henson, William Lamarr Johnson, Marcell Johnson, Murder, Stabbing
In 2003, Taraji's son Marcell was only nine-years-old when his father was stabbed to death.

Losing a parent can be difficult for any child, but when they're murdered, it's often a scenario that requires an uncomfortable conversation. High school sweethearts Taraji P. Henson and William LaMarr "Mark" Johnson welcomed their son, Marcell, into the world back in 1994. Tragically, in 2003, Johnson was stabbed to death after confronting a married couple about his friend's slashed tires. In a report made by The Washington Post at the time, Russell Nickelson knocked Johnson over with a ceramic lamp while Charlotte Nickelson repeatedly stabbed him in his head, torso, and legs. When Washington, D.C. police arrived, Johnson was "semiconscious," but he succumbed to his injuries approximately an hour later.

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On Peace of Mind with Taraji, the Oscar-nominated actress spoke candidly about how she broke the news to then-nine-year-old Marcell about his father's passing. "Later on in life, he found out and he came back to me and was like, 'Why didn't you tell me my daddy was murdered?' And so then we had to get therapy."

"I didn't have the balls. It wouldn't come out," Taraji admitted. "It was in the paper and I didn't know how to tell him. He was stabbed to death. It was the worst way you could die. I just didn't have the words. I didn't know how to tell a nine-year-old." Therapist Sierra Hillsman is also featured on an upcoming episode and gave advice as to how to break such devastating news to young children.

"I would definitely say use age-appropriate language, explaining sometimes there are situations where people do evil things to other people. In this situation, somebody killed your father," said Sierra.

According to reports, Russell Nickelson was sentenced to 50 months in prison while Charlotte Nickelson received 30 months. Watch the sneak peek of Facebook Watch's Peace of Mind with Taraji below.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.