Charleston, WV – A 46-year-old West Virginia man accused of shooting a woman in the head and disposing of her body in a well is heading to trial this week, following new indictments and a dramatic turn in the case after his girlfriend turned against him.
Michael Wayne Smith, from Kanawha County, is charged with the murder of 35-year-old Cheyenne Johnson, whose body was discovered in a deep water well days after she was reported missing in April 2021.
The Incident: Victim Found Dead in a Deep Well
According to court records, Cheyenne Johnson was reported missing on April 29, 2021, and her body was recovered four days later on May 3, 2021, from a deep water well in rural West Virginia.
Police said Johnson had been shot in the head and later found bound by ratchet straps and belts inside the well. The grim discovery came after authorities received a tip from Virginia Smith, Michael Smith’s then-girlfriend, who later admitted her involvement in covering up the crime.
Investigators said Michael Smith confessed to shooting Johnson following a confrontation related to a stolen car dispute. Johnson had allegedly taken Virginia Smith’s vehicle without permission, sparking a deadly altercation once she returned it.
Investigation and Evidence: Girlfriend Turns Informant
According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, an informant told police they overheard a conversation between Michael Smith, Virginia Smith, and another person, during which Michael allegedly admitted to killing Johnson and disposing of her body.
When police interviewed Virginia Smith, she initially claimed she did not know the victim, but later changed her story and led officers directly to the well where Johnson’s body was hidden.
“Michael told us that he shot her in the head and used ratchet straps to drop her into the well,” investigators wrote in the complaint.
During questioning, Michael Smith waived his Miranda rights and allegedly confessed to shooting Johnson, claiming that he acted in self-defense after she pulled a knife during an argument. He told police he retrieved a rifle, threatened her, and fired a shot when the confrontation escalated.
However, prosecutors argue that Smith’s confession was inconsistent and that physical evidence points to a premeditated act.
The new indictment also alleges that Michael stabbed Johnson before firing the fatal shot, an accusation not included in the original 2021 charges.
Court Proceedings and Charges
Michael Smith is now charged with:
- First-degree murder
- Concealment of a deceased human body
- Use of a firearm during the commission of a felony
- Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
- Malicious assault
- Assault in the commission or attempt to commit a felony
Smith has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial began Monday in Kanawha County Circuit Court, with prosecutors calling multiple witnesses, including law enforcement officials and forensic experts.
Meanwhile, Virginia Smith, 33, who is not related to the defendant, pleaded guilty in February 2023 to first-degree murder, concealment of a dead body, and use of a firearm during a felony. She is serving a prison sentence and is expected to testify against Michael Smith as part of her plea agreement.
Statements and Reactions
Authorities said Virginia’s cooperation was key to solving the case.
“Her decision to come forward was the turning point in the investigation,” a Cuyahoga County investigator told reporters. “Without her testimony, the body might never have been found.”
Prosecutors allege the couple’s attempt to conceal Johnson’s body in the well was a deliberate effort to cover up the killing. Johnson’s family, who have waited years for justice, said they were relieved the trial is finally moving forward.
“We’ve waited a long time for Cheyenne to have her day in court,” a family spokesperson said. “No one deserves what she went through.”
Background Context: Pattern of Violence and Delayed Justice
Court documents reveal that both defendants were re-indicted earlier in 2024, allowing prosecutors to include new evidence and expanded charges. Legal analysts note that the ratchet-strapping method and disposal in a well indicate an attempt to conceal the crime in a calculated manner.
Michael Smith’s history includes previous assault-related offenses, though no prior murder charges. The case has reignited discussions in West Virginia about domestic violence, rural policing challenges, and the handling of evidence in cold or rural homicide cases.
Ongoing Developments and What Comes Next
The trial is expected to last two weeks, with the jury hearing testimony from Virginia Smith later this week. Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence without parole, while defense attorneys maintain that Michael Smith acted out of panic and self-defense.
If convicted on all counts, Smith faces life in prison plus additional decades for the firearms and concealment charges.
Johnson’s family members are expected to deliver victim impact statements following the verdict.
Conclusion
As testimony unfolds, the courtroom drama in Kanawha County highlights the disturbing details of Cheyenne Johnson’s killing and the shocking betrayal between two accomplices turned against one another. For Johnson’s family, this trial represents the long-awaited pursuit of justice for a woman whose life ended violently and whose body was hidden deep underground.
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