Man Pleads Guilty To Murdering Johnny Cash’s Great-Niece, Courtney Cash

WZTV via CNN

In 2014, the life of Johnny Cash‘s great-niece, Courtney Cash, came to a tragic end when she was stabbed to death in her own home in Baxter, Tennessee. She was only 23 years old. 

Courtney was the granddaughter of country singer-songwriter Tommy Cash, who is Johnny’s younger brother. Tommy is still alive, and he released a statement following his granddaughter’s death asking for privacy and prayers for their family.

Two years after Courtney’s death, it seems the Cash family finally has justice. On Tuesday (September 13), the man who had been accused of killing Courtney pled that he was guilty of her murder.

Wayne Masciarcella of Cape May, New Jersey, was charged with first-degree murder following Courtney’s death. The Tennessean reports that former Putnam County Sheriff David Andrews said that Wayne was supposedly a friend to Courtney and her boyfriend, William Austin Johnson.

According to the sheriff, Wayne got into a dispute with the couple, and that’s when Wayne stabbed Courtney. He was also accused of stabbing William, who suffered multiple wounds, but survived. The couple’s 20-month-old daughter was also in the house at the time, but was unharmed. 

After the attack, the sheriff said that Wayne fled from the scene. When police showed up at the home Courtney and William shared, they discovered her body stashed away in a cedar box. 

Eddie Farris, Putnam County’s new sheriff, released a statement saying that Wayne was open from the start about his guilt in the case:

“Wayne Masciarella said from the very beginning of this investigation that he stabbed Courtney Cash. Wayne Masciarella is again taking responsibility for the death of Courtney Cash by entering this plea of guilt. I am glad that we can put this behind us and move forward without delaying justice any further.”

We’re glad the Cash family finally has some closure in this case, and they continue to remain in our prayers.