Tonja Johnson was the kind of woman who could do it all.
Standing 5ft 10in, fit, and fiercely independent, she could remodel a bathroom from start to finish without breaking a sweat.
Her husband, Michael, recalls how she loved tackling home projects: “She could put a toilet in, a sink, a counter—anything.
She loved doing it herself.” Life at their Las Vegas home was full of energy, activity, and family love, until one decision changed everything.
A Routine Vaccine and Rapid Decline
On November 1, 2021, Tonja received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, a requirement to keep her state job.
Within 24 hours, she experienced dizzy spells so severe she could barely stand.
Then came crushing chest pains, stomach agony, and bone aches that left her unable to eat, ultimately causing her to wither to just 70lbs and rely on a wheelchair.
“I’ve had nothing but absolute horrific trouble since I got the COVID vaccine,” Tonja told medical staff in a tearful hospital testimony before she passed away.
A Two-Year Ordeal
Over the next two years, Tonja’s health declined despite grueling treatments and extended hospital stays.
Surgeons removed her spleen after unexplained bleeding, inserted a feeding tube that later ruptured her intestine, and eventually had to remove her stomach due to complications.
Blood clots formed in her legs and traveled to her lungs, causing further life-threatening issues.
Through all of this, Michael and their son, Masyn, cared for her at home when she could finally return, juggling work and school while supporting Tonja around the clock.
Conflicting Views on Cause
Michael believes the vaccine played a role in Tonja’s rapid deterioration and eventual death from lung failure, though doctors never conclusively linked the two.
Autopsy results listed the cause of death as “unknown.” Dr. Stuart Fischer, a New York physician not involved in her care, said it was possible the vaccine contributed, noting that rare systemic reactions can occur days after injection.
However, not all family members agree. Tonja’s estranged son, Shane Tilstra, cited her history with alcohol, particularly following a gastric bypass surgery decades earlier, as a complicating factor.
Michael, however, said Tonja had been sober for years prior to the vaccine and was in her healthiest state before the shot.
Life in the Pandemic Era
Tonja worked as an administrative employee at the state-run Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital.
She delayed getting the vaccine out of concern about its rapid rollout but ultimately complied to keep her 15-year career.
Her symptoms began almost immediately after vaccination, and months of suffering ensued before her condition spiraled into hospitalizations that drained the family’s finances, leaving Michael with roughly $40,000 in out-of-pocket medical debt.
The Final Days
After months of intensive care, Tonja briefly improved at home, but her condition worsened.
She was readmitted to the hospital, where she passed away in Michael’s arms on October 31, 2023, at age 57.
“Her suffering was unimaginable,” Michael said. “I miss her more and more every day.”
Masyn, only 16 at the time, had missed much of his teenage life caring for his mother while adjusting to online schooling.
Controversy Around the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, a single-dose alternative to Pfizer and Moderna, became controversial due to rare but serious side effects.
In 2021, U.S. officials temporarily paused its use after a few women developed thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, a dangerous blood clotting disorder. By May 2023, the FDA withdrew its authorization entirely.
Out of roughly 18 million doses administered, the CDC confirmed nine deaths linked to blood clots.
Researchers note that, in rare cases, vaccines can trigger extreme immune responses damaging the body’s blood vessels, potentially leading to conditions like acute esophageal necrosis, which can be fatal.
A Family Left With Questions
Michael and Masyn are left to navigate life without Tonja, burdened by grief, medical debt, and unanswered questions about her sudden decline.
While some believe the vaccine was the cause, others point to medical history or lifestyle factors, leaving her death shrouded in uncertainty.
A spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson expressed sympathy for the family while emphasizing the company’s commitment to vaccine safety.
The hospital and Nevada health officials declined to comment due to patient privacy.
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