The House and the Brothers (Steve)

This is Steve Johnson. Brother to my husband Ronald Johnson.

In 2018 , my father in law passed away. When we informed Steve (the care giver didn’t have his number So it was up to me) That was an act of congress.

I had to go over to the house and well I was met by shorty. A woman who Steve had invited into the house to stay. She told me he was at work so I went over there.

That was interesting. I met Steve outside. He was musty, look like he hadn’t shaved in a year. His clothes where pretty dirty. I gave him a card with both mine and Ron’s number on it and told him to call me or him to help with the arrangements. Steve’s reaction to the death of his father was mind blowing. There was no emotion. He told me he would call and he had to get back to work. I told him its okay to grieve and then he just waved me off.

We never heard from him with in the two week period so Ron had to do all the arrangements. Steve didn’t even show up for the funeral. We even tried to go back over to the house to talk to him as well as his work.

Months passed and the probate had to start because of Steve. See because of the lack of care from Steve and no contact for help from Steve. The State had taken over everything. Well it was time for them to close their books.

Steve showed up late to court after the case was heard and spoke to Ron out side the court house. That was the last time Ron ever saw him.

The court had equally split everything down the middle even the house. The estate lawyer had doubts that the emails that he was getting from “Steve” was not him. Ron suggested that he put Steve’s money into the State’s care until we can find him. So he did.

I am not going to lie. For two years Ron and my family where living in a hotel for a while. Ron wanted to get us into a safe location … Ie the house. Also, because of my medical situation. So again we searched for Steve. Every time we went by the house we where told Steve was gone. During this time the taxes where not paid and it looked like all the windows where busted. No electricity in the house for a while and well the neighbors where complaining to Ron that they where stealing water. So much so the neighbors put up new fences, as well as locks on their water taps.

I personally drove by the house several times to find out they had been taking things out of the house that belonged to Ron’s dad and Mom and doing who knows what with it.

Finally in 2020 we where notified that the house was open. As well as no one had been seen in or out. On the way to Ron’s night shift, he would go by the house to make sure it was both locked and no one was on the property. He had found different individuals sleeping on the porch and in the backyard. The rudeness of these people who he told him he needed to leave was surprising.

Ron got over there changed the locks, and was horrified at the inside. There was so much damage from them. We were looking at close to about 50,000 dollars in physical damage. Not to mention the graffiti . It took Ron 3 months to clean out the house and made it livable. He had to take out a loan from to get a construction size dumpster. During this time we where still looking for Steve.

We have been in this house since November 2020, and well we are still making repairs, slowly. We have had massive plumbing issues as well as a foundation problem. Not to mention the constant rat and bug issues. Both are being treated and taken care of.

Also we are still looking for Steve.

We where told by the squatters that where living in this house that Steve got fired from his job due to him passing funny money. Steve wouldn’t do that. Frankly he is not smart enough. He is a raging drunk, yes.

For us to save this house we need to find Steve. If he does not want to have a relationship with Ron that is fine. Sign over the house so we can get the taxes sorted, the title sorted. To be truthful Ron just wants to know if his brother is ok and this situation to be taken care of, frankly the Police Department can give two shits.