EL PASO COUNTY — The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has recovered the body of Stephen Walker. The 37-year-old had been missing since December 19.
Investigators with the sheriff's office developed information over the past few weeks, working with multiple law enforcement agencies and found his body in a "wooded location" outside of El Paso County.
The sheriff's office has charged 46-year-old Johnny Rankin Morris for Walker's death. Morris is currently being held in Mississippi on burglary charges and is awaiting extradition.
In El Paso County, Morris faces charges of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, and tampering with physical evidence.
The affidavits and warrants for the El Paso County and the Park County cases are sealed.
El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal released the following statement:
“I am pleased to announce an arrest warrant was issued on December 31, 2024, in a missing person case in El Paso County.
“I am grateful to our many partners who assisted us with this intricate and geographically extensive investigation. Assistance from law enforcement agencies and citizens in Colorado, Louisiana, and Mississippi communities was critical to solving this case."
“Additionally, I want to thank my team of dedicated professionals at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. Numerous assets from the Law Enforcement Bureau and our Regional Communications Center have worked long hours, weekends, and holidays on this case."
“I want to express a special thanks to detectives from our Investigations Division whose skill and tenacity were paramount in bringing closure to this case."
“As Sheriff, I am incredibly proud of the nearly 900 sworn deputies and professional individuals who make up the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. We are deeply committed to keeping our community safe by holding criminals accountable when they break the law and violate the rights of our law-abiding citizens.”
“I speak for my entire Office when I say our heartfelt prayers are with Mr. Walker’s family and friends as they navigate this tragic situation."
“Although there is no way to ease their broken hearts, we hope to ease their burden by holding the individual who senselessly took Stephen’s life accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Community members who have additional information on the case are encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office Tip Line at (719)520-7777.
A court date has not been set for Morris at the time this web story was published.
Background Information
This incident started Thursday, December 19, around 7 p.m. when the El Paso County Sheriff's Office responded to a call for service in the 1800 block of Pima Road, which is located in the Cimarron Hills area.
When deputies arrived, they found a large amount of blood throughout areas of the home.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office issued a missing persons report for Morris and Walker. Additionally, the sheriff's office requested help in finding an Audi that may have been involved in the investigation.
A welfare check was called in for the Park County Sheriff's Office around 2:40 p.m. on December 24 to a home along Campfire Road, which is located near Hartsel.
When deputies arrived, they noticed the Audi was about a half mile away from the property. Deputies also found a man, later identified as 65-year-old Timmy L. Huston of Hartsel, dead in the home.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said at the time, Huston had indirect ties to Walker and Morris. Law enforcement proceeded to update their missing person report, listing 43-year-old Hailey Cole as a person of interest.
On Sunday, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said a vehicle believed to be in connection with the case was found in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
On Monday, the Pearl River County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi said Morris and Cole were arrested.
Morris and Cole have been charged for homicide in Park County. Morris also has an open homicide case that was filed on January 31, 2024 in El Paso County.
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