Jonathan Foster Missing Death Where is Mona Nelson Now? Who killed Jonathan Foster?
by J Nandhini
Updated Feb 09, 2023
Jonathan Foster Missing Death
The tragic murder of 12-year-old Jonathan Foster in Houston, Texas on December 30, 2010 remains one of the city's most haunting cases. Jonathan's disappearance on December 24th, 2010 sparked a massive search effort, but it was to no avail. The heartbreaking discovery of his body, just days later, sent shockwaves through the community. The cause of death was ruled as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.
The person responsible for Jonathan's murder was Mona Nelson, who was found guilty in 2013 and is now serving a life sentence in prison. Despite the closure of the case, the memory of Jonathan's life and the tragedy of his death continue to linger in the hearts of many. The case was even featured in an episode of the popular TV show "See No Evil: Don't Open the Door" on Investigation Discovery.
Jonathan's murder serves as a sobering reminder of the senseless violence that can occur in our communities and the devastating impact it can have on families and loved ones. It is a tragedy that will forever be etched in the annals of Houston's history, and a call to action for us to continue working towards a safer and more just society for all.
Who is Jonathan Foster's Mother?
Jonathan Foster was the victim in a murder case that took place in Houston, Texas in 2010. His mother, Angela Davis, was the primary caretaker for Jonathan at the time of his disappearance. The police initially had conflicting accounts from Angela and her husband, David Davis, regarding Jonathan's whereabouts before he went missing. However, after further investigation, a suspect was identified and arrested in connection to Jonathan's murder. Mona Nelson was charged with capital murder in the case.
Who Killed Jonathan Foster?
The investigation into the disappearance of Jonathan Davis initially hit a roadblock due to the inconsistent statements made by his parents, Angela and David Davis. Initially, they had claimed that the boy was with a babysitter, only to change their story to say that he was home alone. Despite extensive interviews with family members and others, the police were unable to identify a suspect.
That was until a surveillance camera near the location where Jonathan's body was discovered provided a crucial lead. The footage showed a silver pickup truck stopping near a building on East Hardy around 6 pm on the day of the boy's disappearance. A woman then stepped out of the vehicle and dumped a body on the ground from the truck bed.
Upon questioning family members and neighbors, the woman was identified as Mona Yvette Nelson, who was reportedly known to the family as an "acquaintance". Nelson, a former boxer who worked as a welder at the time, became the prime suspect in the case. When questioned, she admitted to speaking with Jonathan alone in the apartment earlier that day, but insisted that she then left. The police believed that Nelson was the unknown woman on the phone call that Angela had received, and after searching her house and car, they found welding tools, like torches and twine, that matched the ones used to tie up Jonathan.
Detective Mike Miller stated that they found evidence that suggested Jonathan's body was burned at Nelson's residence, and that she was a "cold, soulless murderer" and predator who had committed acts of violence against children before. Nelson was arrested on December 30 on capital murder charges.
At her trial in August 2013, Nelson claimed that she was helping David, Jonathan's stepfather, dispose of a full trash can, and was unaware of what was inside. Her attorney, Allen Tanner, also claimed that David paid Nelson $20 to dispose of the body. However, phone records and surveillance footage placed David at a local bar during the time of the crime, clearing him of any wrongdoing.
The prosecution presented evidence such as burned carpet scraps similar to those found at the ditch, and a sweatshirt belonging to Jonathan recovered from a trash can at Nelson's home. A forensic expert testified that the clothing tested positive for blood that matched Nelson's DNA, and a neighbor testified to seeing Nelson in her truck at the location where Jonathan was last seen.
Where Is Mona Nelson Today?
The murder of 12-year-old Jonathan Foster remains a mystery to this day, as no clear motive was ever established. However, the prosecutor in the case argued that Mona Nelson's inebriated state and a volatile temper were at the root of the crime. The district attorney claimed that Mona, under the influence of alcohol, became enraged when Jonathan wouldn't let her into his apartment and responded by attacking him. The body was then allegedly taken to Mona's home, where she used a welding torch to disfigure it before disposing of it in a ditch.
Despite the advice of her legal counsel, Mona requested State District Judge Jeannine Barr to sentence her in the capital murder case instead of a jury. She was convicted of capital murder and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Mona declined to take the stand and only spoke in her defense after the sentence was handed down, stating, "I'm innocent, and I maintain my innocence. I wouldn't harm anybody."
Jonathan's mother, Angela, responded to the verdict by saying that her son could finally "rest in peace" and expressed her faith in the Lord to forgive Mona Nelson. Mona is currently serving her sentence at the Gatesville Correctional Facility and her appeal against the judgment was rejected by a three-judge panel of the Fourth District Texas Court of Appeals in 2015. Mona is currently pursuing a writ of habeas corpus in state court in an effort to prove her innocence.
