Alleged Murderer's Family Pleads For Release of Aja Johnson

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

GERONIMO, Oklahoma -- The family of Lester Hobbs is pleading for him to let 7-year-old Aja Johnson go.

Investigators believe Lester Hobbs took the girl after killing her mother in January. Tonya Hobbs was found dead by her sister-in-law Mildred Anderson.

"It was horrifying. We had tried for hours to get in touch with Tonya and Lester after the car had been missing for several hours. We kept calling cell phones and got the voicemail. We then realized the phone was ringing from inside the camper. When I stepped in, all I saw was an arm and a hand sticking out," Anderson said.

Lester's brother Buck said he was horrified but not surprised when he found out about Tonya's death.

"He's a very violent man. He had made threats to kill her many times. I don't think he's been with one woman he hasn't been," Buck Hobbs said.

Buck said he wants his brother brought to justice, but more importantly he wants Aja Johnson to get home safely.

"I pray for her every night. I pray that she's OK. I can't imagine what she's been going through," he said.

The siblings of Lester Hobbs said they've been repeatedly questioned by the OSBI, but are adamant they have no information on Lester's whereabouts.

"If I knew anything, authorities would get the first phone call. Anytime we think of anything that might help, we call them. We've left messages in the middle of the night," Anderson said.

The family said they have worried that neither Aja or Lester are still alive but are trying to stay positive.

"I don't think we'll ever see Lester again. He's too afraid of prison to turn himself in, but we want him to give up the little girl," Buck said.

Buck said he has a message directly for his brother Lester.

"Please let that little girl go. All she's ever done is love you. She does not deserve anything she could be going through right now," Buck said.

Another sibling, Betty Smith, said she has a message for the rest of America.

"Somebody out there has had to see that car or has had to seen him. Lord help them if they have and let them come forward," Smith said.

More on News9.com:
- OSBI Pleads For Safe Return of Aja Johnson
- Search Continues for Missing Oklahoma Girl as Authorities Investigate Her Mother's Death
- OSBI Working Against Time to Find Missing 7-Year-Old