Johnny Cash's grand-niece stabbed to death

Los Angeles: The grand-niece of late singer Johnny Cash has been found stabbed to death and stuffed in a box in a house, authorities in Tennessee said.Putnam County Sheriff David Andrews said Courtney Cash's body was found in a home near Cookeville, about 70 miles east of Nashville, reported Ace Showbiz.[caption id="attachment_1444611" align="alignleft" width="380"] Courtesy: Wikipedia[/caption]Cash's body was found in a chest just inside the front door, Andrews said. A man identified as William Austin Johnson, Cash's boyfriend, was being treated for stab wounds at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Andrews said.Andrews said the pair had gone out with a friend before an altercation took place in the house where Johnson and Cash lived with their young child. The friend, identified as Wayne Gary Masciarella, has been charged with first-degree murder.Johnson escaped the attack and took the child with him before driving to the hospital, Andrews said.The scene inside the house was "somewhat bloody," Andrews told reporters at a news conference."There was a struggle," the sheriff said. The suspect may have been trying to hide Cash's body, Andrews said. A motive was not released, but Andrews indicated the stabbings were likely connected to drugs."This is a senseless, tragic death of a young lady whose life was probably taken as a direct or indirect result of drugs," Andrews said.Johnny Cash's brother, Tommy Cash, released a statement asking for prayers for the family after the loss of his granddaughter."We are completely heartbroken," the statement said. Masciarella is being held without bond. He has a court date scheduled for April 21. Officials in Putnam County said they do not know if he has a lawyer.PTI