A tragic discovery has brought an end to the search for Stephen Walker, a 37-year-old man who disappeared last month from a sober-living home in Colorado. His body was found in a wooded area outside El Paso County on Friday. Now, authorities have charged his housemate, Johnny Rankin Morris, with murder after Morris was caught on the run in Mississippi with a woman named Hailey Cole.
The disturbing case began on December 19, 2024, when Walker’s family reported him missing. That same day, deputies in El Paso County responded to a home on Pima Drive in the Cimarron Hills area, where they found large amounts of blood in several spots throughout the house. This raised alarms, but at the time, Walker was only listed as a missing person. Meanwhile, Morris, 46, and Cole, 43, also vanished and were labeled “armed and dangerous” by authorities.
Walker’s family was devastated. “He doesn’t bother anybody. He really doesn’t. He’s a good person. I don’t see anybody wanting to hurt him,” said his cousin, Leona Neely, during an interview with local media. The home where the blood was found was identified as a sober-living residence where both Walker and Morris had been staying. It’s unclear how Cole was connected to them.
The investigation took a dramatic turn when Morris and Cole were found in Pearl River County, Mississippi, on December 30, arrested for an unrelated crime. Soon after, detectives developed leads that led them to a wooded area where Walker’s body was found. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his identity and shared their determination to bring justice for Walker.
The story didn’t end there. While investigating Walker’s case, authorities in Park County discovered another crime scene. Deputies were called to check on a home on Campfire Road, where they found 65-year-old Timmy L. Huston dead. Investigators linked Morris to this second killing as well. Walker’s car was discovered less than two miles from Huston’s home, adding another layer to the case.
Morris is now facing a long list of charges, including first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy, for both Walker and Huston’s deaths. Cole is also facing similar charges, including aggravated robbery and motor vehicle theft. Morris is currently being held without bond.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the massive effort that went into this case. “Our investigative efforts have been ongoing and relentless, with cooperation and teamwork across numerous agencies,” they stated.
This shocking series of events has left two Colorado communities in mourning, while authorities work to ensure justice is served.