ST. LOUIS – January 14th, 2025, sheriff deputies and other first responders were dispatched to a wooded area where a female was found unresponsive at Lakeview Center, Parkersburg.
Originally from Pennsylvania, the caller, Josiah Renn, is currently homeless and living in a shelter in the wooded area.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered 37-year-old Danielle Johnson deceased on the scene.
Deputies were advised during a preliminary investigation that Josiah Renn and Ms. Johnson had been partners for over eight years and they both were sharing a shelter.
Renn stated that they had both consumed a lot of alcohol the previous night before going to bed.
At 1 a.m., Renn woke up to discover that Ms. Johnson was missing from their shared shelter.
He went outside to find Ms. Johnson lying in the snow; he stated she was too intoxicated to walk back to the shelter. Renn helped her back inside, where they both went back to bed.
After Renn woke up, Ms. Johnson was found to be unresponsive, and he called 911.
Although this incident is still under investigation, deputies did not see any obvious signs of foul play. Johnson was transported to the WV State Medical Examiner for further examination.
Deputies noted that it is believed that alcohol and weather temperatures played a role in her death.
An examination of the shelter revealed they did not have any heat source but blankets and other items.