ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — Virginia State Police says a man has been charged with second-degree murder after human remains were found in Rockbridge County on March 23rd.
On Wednesday, State Police and the Rockbridge County Sherriff’s Office responded to Hoppers Creek road after residents reported finding remains in the area. At the scene, officers located the remains of an unresponsive female, which was later identified as 38-year-old Stormie Markland of Rockbridge, laying off on the roadway.
Markland was reported missing by family members on Monday, March 20th. Upon further investigation, officers determined Markland had died under violent circumstances. Her remains were sent to the office of the Chief Medical Examiners of Western Virginia to determine a cause of death.
As the investigation continued, Special Agents with the Bureau of Criminal investigation, Salem Division, identified 44-year-old Leland Davis Johnson, of Lexington, as a suspect. Officers located Johnson at a family member’s residence where he was arrested.
Johnson was charged with one count of Murder in the Second Degree. He is currently being held at the Rockbridge County Jail without bond.
The Virginia State Police is continuing to investigate, but confirmed this was a domestic incident.
WFXR News will update you as more information becomes available.
