Richmond, VA – Virginia State Police arrested Ives T. Fortune, 62, of Tappahannock, for the 1991 murder of Jennie Lee Johnson. Johnson’s body was found in a field in King and Queen County in November 1991, and her case remained unsolved for nearly 33 years.
According to police, Johnson was last seen on November 22, 1991. Her body was discovered the next day, sparking a lengthy investigation. A grand jury indicted Fortune on charges of rape and malicious wounding on October 10, 2024.
Investigators credited advancements in DNA technology and the work of the Virginia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative for this break. The evidence was retested by DNA Labs International, leading to the arrest. Colonel Gary T. Settle of the Virginia State Police praised the dedication of agents and analysts in closing the case.
Fortune appeared in court on October 23, 2024, and was released on bond. He is scheduled for another court appearance on November 27, 2024.
