The remains of a man who vanished from a sober living home in Colorado last month were discovered in a secluded woodland area on Friday. The man’s disappearance had triggered a manhunt after large quantities of blood were found in the residence. The discovery of the body led to the arrest of a housemate, who was apprehended in Mississippi alongside a female companion, on murder charges.
Johnny Rankin Morris, 46, is facing charges for the murder of Stephen Walker in El Paso County, as well as another homicide in Park County, as per local law enforcement. Morris was initially detained by police in Pearl River County, Mississippi, on December 30 for an unrelated offense. He is currently awaiting extradition on charges of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, and tampering with physical evidence following the discovery of Walker’s remains.
Walker, 37, was reported missing by his family on December 19. Morris and an alleged associate, Hailey Cole, also vanished but were classified as “armed and dangerous” fugitives. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, in a press release dated January 3, stated that their investigative efforts had been “ongoing and relentless” since the missing person case was opened on December 19, 2024, with cooperation across multiple agencies.
On December 19, deputies in El Paso County received a call to visit a residence in the Cimarron Hills area. Upon arrival, they found large quantities of blood in various parts of the house. Morris and Cole, 43, were reported as being “armed and dangerous,” while Walker was reported as “missing under suspicious circumstances.”
Walker’s cousin, Leona Neely, expressed her disbelief to a local CBS affiliate, stating that Walker was a good person who didn’t bother anyone. Walker’s family revealed to KRDO that the residence in question was a sober-living home where both Walker and Morris resided. The connection between Cole and Morris remains unclear.
Park County authorities became involved after being requested to conduct a welfare check at a residence on Campfire Road. Inside, they found the body of 65-year-old Timmy L. Huston. Morris was subsequently charged with the murders of both Huston and Walker after Walker’s car was found less than two miles from Huston’s residence during the investigation into Huston’s death.
Morris and Cole are both facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated motor vehicle theft, tampering with evidence of a felony crime, and conspiracy. Morris is currently being held without bond.