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A Lexington man remains in jail this week after being charged with second-degree murder of a Rockbridge County woman.
According to a statement from the Virginia State Police, the remains of Stormie Markland, 38, were found along Hoppers Creek Road in Arnolds Valley last Wednesday by two Rockbridge residents while engaged in recreation in the National Forest.
Virginia State Police and the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and found the unresponsive female, lying over the hillside off the roadway. Special agents with the Bureau of Criminal investigation, Salem Division, were called to respond to the scene.
The remains were identified as those of Ms. Markland. She had been reported missing/endangered on Monday, March 20, by family members.
The investigation found Markland had died under violent circumstances. The remains were sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Western District, for determine the cause of death.
During the process of the investigation, special agents identified Leland David Johnson, 44, as a possible suspect. Johnson was located at a family member’s residence and was questioned by special agents. After consultation with the Rockbridge County commonwealth’s attorney, Johnson was arrested on one count of second-degree murder.
Johnson remains at the Rockbridge Regional Jail without bond.
The investigation is continuing into the incident.
