Virginia Marie Smith, 33, from Kanawha County, West Virginia, was sentenced on December 2, 2025, to life with mercy for first-degree murder, plus 1-5 years for concealment of a dead body and 10 years for firearm use in a felony (consecutive), in the April 29, 2021, killing of 35-year-old Cheyenne Johnson; she received time-served credit.​
Crime Details
Smith pleaded guilty in February 2023 after her tip led police to Johnson’s body—shot in the head with over a dozen stab wounds—in a deep Sissonville well on her property, secured by belt and ratchet straps; the murder stemmed from a fight over a stolen car, escalating when Johnson pulled a knife. A juvenile witness saw Smith fire the fatal shot, which she confirmed in testimony against her then-boyfriend Michael Smith (no relation), citing his orders amid her drug issues.​
Related Conviction
Michael Smith, 46, was convicted October 30, 2025, of second-degree murder, concealment of a dead body, malicious assault, assault during a felony, and prohibited firearm possession (acquitted on firearm use); he admitted killing Johnson but denied shooting her, with sentencing pending. Prosecutors noted the pair’s extreme disrespect in hiding the body, denying Johnson’s family closure.
