Body of Tenn. woman found stabbed to death, stuffed in box identified as Johnny Cash’s great-niece

The body of Courtney Cash was discovered 

Wednesday morning in what authorities have 

described as a 4-foot-by-2-foot deep box near the door

 of her Putnam County home, about 80 

miles east of Nashville. Authorities have arrested a

 man in her murder.

Courtney Cash, the great-niece of Johnny 

Cash, was found stabbed to death in a 

box at her Tennessee home Wednedsay

 morning. Her boyfriend, William Austin

Johnson, pictured, escaped with their little 

girl.A young Tennessee woman who was found

 stabbed to death and stuffed in a box has been identified as the great-niece of 

legendary musician, Johnny Cash.

Courtney Cash, who was said to be in her 20s, was discovered in a 4-foot-by-2-foot deep

 box near the door of her Putnam County home Wednesday morning, about 80 miles east 

of Nashville, according to authorities.ash and the father of her baby, William Austin Johnson,

 are believed to have been stabbed 

multiple times by a mutual friend they had invited to their home the night before

.

During the violent struggle, Johnson was able to escape with their 20-month-old little girl who

 incredibly was reported as uninjured.

"Based on what I've been told about his wounds, he's a pretty strong man," Sheriff David

 Andrews told WSNV of Johnson's injuries

.

"He grabbed the baby and exited the house and got in a car and drove himself to the hospital,"

 said Andrews. "He was in pretty bad shape but we've been told he is stable."

The couple's alleged friend, Wayne Gary Masciarella, 27, was charged with first-degree

 murder 


Thursday in the horrific attack
.

Andrews has said that the deadly altercation between the trio may have been drug related.

In a statement released by Tommy Cash, the late singer's younger brother, he asked for both

 privacy and prayers "through the search for justice on this violent act."

"We are completely heartbroken," he said in part. "It is a time like this that we are grateful for

 our faith and trusting the loving guidance of God."

Masciarella is being held without bond. He has a court date scheduled for April 21.