Background: Kanawha County Circuit Court in Charleston, W.Va. (Google Maps). Inset: Michael Wayne Smith (Kanawha County Sheriff's Office).
A West Virginia man who is accused of murdering a woman and throwing her body in a well heads to trial this week after being indicted on new charges this year.
Michael Wayne Smith, 46, was charged with the murder of 35-year-old Cheyenne Johnson, whose body was found in a deep well days after she was reported missing in April 2021. As Law&Crime previously reported, Michael Smith apparently admitted to police that he shot Johnson in the head and disposed of her body in a well. Michael Smith was interviewed after police received a tip from his girlfriend, 33-year-old Virginia Smith.
Virginia Smith was charged as Michael Smith's co-defendant in connection with Johnson's homicide and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, concealment of a dead body, and use a firearm during the commission of a felony in February 2023. Both Virginia Smith and Michael Smith, who are not related to each other, were re-indicted earlier this year.
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According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, authorities learned from an informant that they had overheard a conversation between Michael Smith, Virginia Smith, and a third person discussing Johnson's death. During that conversation, Michael Smith allegedly admitted to shooting Johnson in the head and hiding her body in a well.
Police made contact with both Michael Smith and Virginia Smith, the latter of whom initially claimed that she did not know Johnson. Virginia Smith eventually led police to the well where Johnson's body was found.
During an interview with police, Michael Smith was read his rights and allegedly confessed to the crime. He reportedly told police that Johnson had stolen his girlfriend's car. When Johnson returned the car to Virginia Smith, a confrontation between the two women took place. Michael Smith, who was present for the confrontation, told police that Johnson produced a knife that he tried to take away.
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.
