CHARLESTON, WV – Emotions ran high inside a Kanawha County courtroom Tuesday as Michael Wayne Smith, 46, faced the consequences for his role in a gruesome crime that shocked the local community. Smith received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 15 years following the brutal slaying of Cheyenne Johnson, a crime compounded by the chilling circumstances surrounding her death and the callous way her body was disposed of.
Smith, convicted in October for the second-degree murder of Johnson, 35, was also handed a 40-year sentence for the murder, along with additional time for related offenses involving concealing a body, possessing a firearm illegally, and assault. The harsh penalty came after a tense hearing where the gravity of Johnson’s fate hung over the courtroom.
The saga began in late April 2021 on a rural West Virginia property, where an afternoon dispute turned deadly. Prosecutors described how Smith, during a heated confrontation, threatened Johnson with a rifle and instructed his then-girlfriend, Virginia Smith, to shoot. The testimony painted a picture of mounting tension, as both women argued over accusations of theft and a physical altercation unfolded, with Johnson allegedly wielding a knife.
With a juvenile witness present, Virginia Smith obeyed Michael Smith’s command and pulled the trigger. In the aftermath, Michael Smith orchestrated a grisly cover-up, binding Johnson’s body before lowering her lifeless form into a remote water well using a belt and ratchet straps. It was a desperate attempt to erase all traces of the crime.
The victim’s disappearance quickly drew attention, prompting Virginia Smith to eventually contact authorities and confess her role. Investigators soon discovered Johnson’s remains deep in the well on Virginia Smith’s property, bringing closure to a case that chilled even seasoned law enforcement.
As the legal process unfolded, Virginia Smith became a key figure in the prosecution’s case. Her testimony against Michael Smith, offered as part of a plea deal after she admitted to her role in the killing and cover-up, was instrumental in breaking open the details of what happened on that fateful day. She, too, was sentenced to life in prison—with a measure of leniency offered through the possibility of parole.
During Tuesday’s sentencing, the courtroom was filled with grief and anger. Johnson’s family, granted the opportunity to address her killer, delivered searing statements that echoed the pain of their loss. Johnson’s brother described Smith in harsh terms, underscoring the profound hurt left in the crime’s wake. Friends of the victim expressed their outrage and heartbreak, capturing the sense of betrayal and emotional devastation.
The violent events and their aftermath have left an indelible mark on the community, serving as a grim reminder of the potential for tragedy when disputes spiral out of control. Prosecutors noted the chilling sequence of choices that led to Johnson’s death and the calculated steps taken to conceal the crime.
With Michael Smith’s sentencing, authorities say justice has been served, but the trauma wrought by the case lingers. Johnson’s family and friends, still grappling with loss, hope that the outcome will prevent similar tragedies and bring some degree of closure to a heartbreaking ordeal.