The body of Stephen Walker, a 37-year-old man who vanished from a Colorado sober living home in December, was discovered on January 5, 2025, in a wooded area. His disappearance had prompted an extensive investigation after large amounts of blood were found throughout the residence, raising suspicions of foul play. The search for Walker and his housemate, Johnny Rankin Morris, 46, intensified, with authorities suspecting that Morris was involved in the disappearance. Morris, along with an accomplice named Hailey Cole, was later found in Mississippi on December 30 and arrested for unrelated crimes. Upon further investigation, Morris was charged with Walker’s murder, as well as the murder of another individual in Park County, Colorado.
Morris was arrested in Pearl River County, Mississippi, and is currently awaiting extradition back to Colorado, where he faces charges of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, and tampering with physical evidence. The investigation into Walker’s disappearance had been ongoing since December 19, when he was reported missing by his family. Deputies had responded to a call about a disturbance at the sober living home on Pima Drive in the Cimarron Hills area, where they discovered blood in multiple locations within the house. At the time, Walker was missing, and Morris, along with Cole, was considered a fugitive.
The investigation led authorities to a wooded area outside El Paso County, where Walker’s body was discovered and later identified. Walker’s family had expressed disbelief at the news of his death, describing him as a kind and non-confrontational individual who would not have provoked anyone. His cousin, Leona Neely, emphasized that Walker was a good person who didn’t deserve to be harmed.
The case took a further twist when authorities in Park County, Colorado, were called to perform a welfare check at a residence on Campfire Road. There, they found the body of 65-year-old Timmy L. Huston. As investigators looked into Huston’s death, they found Walker’s car less than two miles away from Huston’s home. This connection led to the conclusion that Morris was likely involved in both deaths.
Morris and Cole are facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated motor vehicle theft, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy. The authorities have not clarified the exact role of Cole in these events, but both she and Morris are being held without bond. The investigation into the two murders continues as authorities work to piece together the full extent of the crimes committed by the pair.
