Four people have been charged in the Sunday morning murder at an Augusta County motel, and the name of the victim has been released.
Johnnie Johnson Jr., 53, was found dead early Sunday at the Skyline Motel just outside the Waynesboro city limits in Augusta County.
Two people have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death: Carlton Gregory Currier and Steven Allen Lanier.
Two others – Teresa Currier Cassell and Carrol Marie Lockhart – have been charged with being accessories after the fact to a homicide.
County Sheriff Donald Smith said Monday that investigators are still seeking additional witnesses from the hotel. The murder happened, according to Smith, as several people at the motel were partying and drinking together, and a physical incident involving the victim and the two male suspects took place.
“The Sheriff’s Office is asking for those individuals that were present to please come and speak with investigators,” Smith said in a press release issued Monday afternoon. “You are not suspects in this investigation, but you are witnesses to the events that took place that night and may possibly be able to provide critical information regarding this incident.”
The cause of death has not been determined, according to Smith. Investigators have collected more than 80 pieces of evidence in connection with the case, and the investigation is still being actively pursued, the sheriff said.
“We do know that Carlton Currier and Steven Lanier beat Johnson inside the motel room,” said Smith, adding that the murder scene had been altered prior to sheriff’s deputies arriving at the motel.
Johnson was found dead at the scene when the deputies arrived, Smith said.
The four facing charges in the murder are currently being held at the Middle River Regional Jail with no bond.
All will appear before the Augusta County General District Court tomorrow for a bond hearings.
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