Background: Kanawha County Circuit Court in Charleston, W.Va. (Google Maps). Inset: Michael Wayne Smith (Kanawha County Sheriff”s Office).
A man from West Virginia is set to face trial this week following an indictment on fresh charges related to a murder case. The individual is accused of killing a woman and discarding her body in a well.
Michael Wayne Smith, aged 46, faces charges in connection with the death of 35-year-old Cheyenne Johnson. Her remains were discovered in a well days after she was reported missing in April 2021. Previous reports from Law&Crime indicate that Smith confessed to authorities that he fatally shot Johnson in the head before disposing of her body in the well. This revelation came after his girlfriend, 33-year-old Virginia Smith, provided a tip-off to the police.
Virginia Smith was implicated as an accomplice in Johnson’s murder and subsequently pleaded guilty in February 2023 to charges of first-degree murder, body concealment, and firearm use during a felony. Despite sharing a surname, Virginia and Michael Smith are unrelated. Both were re-indicted earlier this year.
As per a criminal complaint reported by the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, investigators received information from an informant who overheard a conversation between Michael Smith, Virginia Smith, and another individual about Johnson’s death. In this conversation, Michael Smith purportedly confessed to the shooting and concealment of Johnson’s body in a well.
Authorities reached out to both Michael and Virginia Smith, with the latter initially denying any knowledge of Johnson. However, Virginia eventually directed the police to the location of the well where Johnson’s remains were found.
During his police interview, Michael Smith was informed of his rights, after which he supposedly confessed to the murder. He claimed Johnson had stolen his girlfriend’s car, and upon its return, a dispute ensued between the two women. Present during the altercation, Michael Smith alleged that Johnson brandished a knife, which he attempted to confiscate.
According to police, Michael Smith said that as the argument escalated, he pushed her and struck her to get her to stop attacking his girlfriend. When Johnson would not let up, Michael Smith allegedly told police he got a rifle and threatened her with it. According to the complaint, he allegedly shot her in the head. He then allegedly disposed of her body in a deep water well using a belt and ratchet straps.
Johnson was reported missing on April 29, 2021. Her body was found on May 3, 2021.
According to local CBS and Fox affiliate WCHS, Michael Smith was also accused of stabbing Johnson before shooting her in the new indictment.
Michael Smith is charged with first-degree murder, concealment of a deceased human body, use and presentment of a firearm during the commission of a felony, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, malicious assault, and assault in the commission of or attempt to commit a felony. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial begins in Kanawha County Circuit Court on Monday.
Matt Naham contributed to this story.
