COOKEVILLE, TN  —Several community members are calling for a second look at multiple local death investigations in the Putnam County area. A rally was held on Saturday, March 18 Downtown where multiple families who have lost loved ones gathered.

One of the most talked about tragedies is Johnny Cash’s great-niece who was found murdered at her home in Putnam County. Courtney Cash, 23, was found stabbed and stuffed in a box nine years ago. Cash’s mother thinks officials should have looked into her daughter’s boyfriend at the time who was never charged.

Courtney Cash had a baby with her boyfriend Austin Johnson. The three lived together when a friend named Wayne Masciarella came over to their house and allegedly gets “high on meth and then goes crazy”. A fight broke out between Johnson and Masciarella. That’s when Masciarella pulled out a knife and when Cash tried to break it up, she was stabbed in the shoulder and the hand. Cash started to lose consciousness, and Johnson stated he tried to give her CPR but eventually jumped out of the window with the baby.

During court, his story changed and Masciarella, who doesn’t deny the stabbing, says it was Johnson who shot her up with meth to jumpstart her heart. Wayne Masciarella pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and a sentence of 15 years at 100 percent. Johnson has moved out of the area and has severed his parental rights. Cash’s mom has been raising the child, who is now ten years old.

Cash’s mother has also obtained a police report for her daughter’s case she didn’t know existed. She hopes the investigators will look back over their own reports and maybe discover more evidence.

Many other friends and family members shared their stories at Saturday’s rally. They hope officials will revisit cases and re-examine possible suspects.