CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — A 63-year-old man was sentenced to almost 23 years in prison for the murder of a Chesapeake woman.
On Monday, Anthony L. Johnson was convicted of 2nd degree murder for the stabbing death of Valarie McElroy by Chief Judge Marjorie A. Taylor Arrington in Chesapeake Circuit Court.
State evidence showed that Johnson and the victim were romantically involved but the victim later decided to end the relationship.
On Nov. 27, 2022, Johnson showed up unannounced at the store where the victim worked and had to be escorted off the property.
Later that day, the victim was supposed to meet a friend but she never showed up. After the victim’s friends and family were unable to reach her, police were asked to perform a welfare check.
When officers entered the victim’s apartment, they found her dead from multiple stab wounds. They also found Johnson unconscious on the bed, bleeding from apparent self-inflicted stab wounds.
McElroy is survived by family members, including her brother, who testified at
the sentencing hearing, and her two daughters, who provided written statements to the court.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence
Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233 to provide resources and support.
