Maryland – In a chilling case in Maryland that has drawn to a close, a 43-year-old man, identified as L. Church, has been sentenced to 65 years in prison for the brutal murder of J. Leyanna.
The ordeal began on October 10, 2020, when Church, reportedly under the influence of PCP on his birthday, accused Leyanna of stealing his wallet. The accusation quickly turned into a horrifying act of violence. According to court documents, Church, with assistance from a 41-year-old woman, identified as E. Wright, restrained Leyanna in a bathtub using tape and forcibly inserted foreign objects into her throat before ultimately choking her to death with a belt.
After the murder, Church and Wright transported Leyanna’s body to Church’s residence, where they buried her in the backyard. The disappearance of Leyanna triggered an intensive investigation after her mother reported her missing on November 1, 2020. According to reports at the time, Leyanna had not been seen or heard from since Oct. 9, 2020.
The case remained unsolved until a breakthrough came in February 2022, when police were tipped off by someone Wright had confided in about the location of Leyanna’s remains. On February 16, 2022, State Police confirmed the tragic discovery in the backyard of a home in a remote area. The discovery eventually led to the arrests and charges against Church and Wright. Church pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, while his accomplice, Wright, admitted to her role in the kidnapping and conspiracy, receiving a 25-year sentence. The State Police and the judicial system moved swiftly to bring justice to Leyanna and her grieving family.
During the sentencing hearing, the emotional impact on Leyanna’s family was palpable. Victim impact statements highlighted the profound loss and ongoing trauma experienced by Leyanna’s relatives. Her mother expressed the deep pain and suffering the murder had caused, emphasizing that the brutal nature of her daughter’s death left them with endless questions and heartache. Leyanna’s daughter mourned the loss of her mother, describing her as imperfect but deeply loved and cherished.
Leyanna struggled with drug addiction, which her family acknowledged did not diminish her love for them. The case has shed light on the devastating impact of substance abuse and the violent potential of individuals under the influence of drugs like PCP. Church’s defense attorney pointed to his client’s drug use as a significant factor in the crime, stating that Church was “out of his mind” and would not have committed such an act sober. Church himself apologized to Leyanna’s family during the hearing.
