Man charged with Johnny Cut Road murder

A 22-year-old man has been charged with murder in the death of a woman whose body was found at a residence on Johnny Cut Road.Johnny Daniel Rigsby, of 2360 S. Walker’s Mill Road, is facing numerous charges, including murder, felony murder, cruelty to animals and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in relation to the alleged homicide of 53-year-old Betty Jo Smith.Deputies were dispatched to the residence in at around 10 p.m. Tuesday night, in reference to a possible suicide. When officers arrived, no one answered the door so they entered through a partially open window at the rear of the residence.They found 53-year-old Betty Jo Smith deceased in the master bedroom. After observing the injuries to the victim the officers contacted the SCSO Criminal Investigative Division and determined it was a homicide investigation.Stewart said investigators worked all night interviewing witnesses and family members, and learned that a person of interest in the homicide was currently incarcerated in the Lamar County Jail for traffic violations. Investigators also received other information pertaining to the inmate.Officials say the suspect and victim were friends and had been for a few months.Anyone with any information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Investigator Carrie Williams-James at 770-227-9406.