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Lexington man charged with second-degree murder in death of Rockbridge woman

Chris Graham
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A Lexington man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a Rockbridge woman whose remains were discovered on Wednesday on Hopper’s Creek Road in Rockbridge County.

Leland David Johnson, 44, of Lexington, was arrested after being questioned in the death of Stormie Markland, 38, whose remains were found by two Rockbridge residents in the national forest.

Virginia State Police and the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and found the remains on the hillside off the roadway.

The remains have been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Western District for determine the cause of death.

According to VSP, Markland had been reported missing/endangered on Sunday by family members.

The preliminary investigation found Markland had died under violent circumstances.

Johnson is being held without bond at the Rockbridge County Jail.

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019, and Team of Destiny: Inside Virginia Basketball’s Run to the 2019 National Championship, and The Worst Wrestling Pay-Per-View Ever, published in 2018. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].