Woman's Body Found In Arnolds Valley; Man Charged With Murder

      Thursday, 10:45 a.m. - A Rockbridge  County  woman’s  remains were discovered in Arnolds  Valley Wednesday, and state police have charged a county man with second-degree murder in her death.

According to a statement from the Virginia State Police, the remains of Stormie Markland, 38, were found along Hoppers Creek Road 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, laying 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 Ms. Markland. She had been reported missing/endangered on Monday, March 20, by family members.

The investigation found Ms. Markland had died under violent circumstances. The remains have been 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, of Lexington 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 currently remains at the Rockbridge  Regional Jail, without bond.

The incident remains under investigation.