McDowell County Murder Investigation

MCDOWELL COUNTY – On January 21, 2008, at around noon, Troopers from the Welch Detachment in McDowell County, WV received a call in reference to a person being stabbed.

The caller advised that Robert Wayne Johnson, 43, of Anawalt had stabbed to death Joe Mallory, 71, of Anawalt. Troopers responded to the residence in Anawalt where they found Mr. Mallory deceased from an apparent stabbing. The West Virginia State Police Crime Scene Unit responded to process the scene.

The suspect, Mr. Johnson was arrested at approximately 4:00pm the same day in Burke County, North Carolina on first degree murder charges and is awaiting extradition.

The victim was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Trooper M. S. Horton of the West Virginia State Police Welch Detachment is investigating.

Questions can be directed to the Welch Detachment at (304) 436-2101 or (304) 436-2102.

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