Did the Army Cover Up A Soldier’s Death? | Missouri & Florida Cases

In today’s episode of Southern Girl Crime Stories, we cover 2 heartbreaking true crime cases from Missouri and Florida. From LaVena Lynn Johnson, a 19-year-old soldier whose family has spent decades challenging the Army’s ruling on her death, to Janet Renee White, a young wife whose killer was arrested within minutes but whose family waited 43 years for the final chapter… these cases are disturbing, emotional, and unforgettable. 🔎 Featured Cases: 🕵 LaVena Lynn Johnson — Florissant, Missouri / Balad, Iraq On July 19, 2005, 19-year-old Private First Class LaVena Lynn Johnson was found dead inside a military tent at Logistical Support Area Anaconda in Balad, Iraq, just eight days before her 20th birthday. The U.S. Army ruled her death a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound. But when LaVena’s body was returned home to Missouri, her father, Dr. John Johnson, a retired Army veteran and behavioral psychologist, found injuries he believed did not match the official story. LaVena’s family has pointed to her facial injuries, burns, bruising, the location where she was found, and questions about the gunshot wound as reasons they believe she was sexually assaulted and murdered. The Army has continued to classify her death as self-inflicted, and a later independent review did not recommend reopening the case. As of 2026, no one has ever been charged, and LaVena’s family continues to fight for answers. 🕵 Janet Renee White — Lynn Haven, Florida On June 14, 1982, 24-year-old Janet Renee White, who went by Renee, returned from lunch to the State Farm insurance office where she worked in Lynn Haven, Florida. Her husband, Randy, followed behind her car to make sure she arrived safely, watched her go inside, and waved goodbye. Minutes later, Renee was ambushed by Kayle Barrington Bates, who had broken into the office and waited for her to return. A friend on the phone heard Renee scream and immediately called police. Renee fought for her life, but Bates beat, strangled, stab