Stone County connection to Colorado couple sought in death investigation, missing person case

STONE COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) – A man wanted in connection with a Colorado death investigation and missing person case has ties to Stone County, Mississippi, WDAM has learned.

Investigators in El Paso County, Colorado, announced they were searching for Johnny Rankin Morris, 46, and Hailey Diane Cole, 43, and said the two could be in Colorado or on their way to Mississippi.

Morris was born in the Picayune area, according to Stone County Sheriff Todd Stewart, who said his deputies would keep an eye on him when he traveled to Mississippi.

Wiggins Police Chief Jeff Thomas said Morris was arrested for domestic violence in a 2023 case following a report of kidnapping. Morris was out on bail.

On Friday, neither Thomas nor Stewart had any concrete reasons to believe the couple would definitely travel to Mississippi and did not want to alarm neighbors but wanted people to be aware of the possible connections to south Mississippi.

According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, their investigation began last Thursday, December 19, after officers were called to a home in the area.

Officers said they saw “large amounts of blood in multiple locations” throughout the home, and as a result of the call, BOLOs were issued for two missing men: Morris and Stephen Walker, 37.

On Monday, EPSO asked the public for help locating a vehicle of interest in the case: a black 2013 Audi A4 with Colorado license plate MYZFYT.

Officials said Tuesday that the vehicle was located at a trailhead in Park County, Colorado, following a welfare call at a home about a half-mile away.

When officers arrived at that home, they said they discovered the person living there had “indirect ties” to the original missing person case. Officers then searched the house and found a dead man.

On Thursday, EPSO asked the public for help in locating a new vehicle of interest, as well as three people involved in the investigation into the December 19 incident.

Vehicle officers are looking for a blue 1994 Ford F-150 with a “HUNTER” decal on the left fender and Colorado license plate TQQ039.

Officials are still searching for Walker, who they say is missing under “suspicious circumstances.” Authorities said he had tanned skin, black hair, brown eyes and tattoos on his right arm.

In the Park County death case, the Park County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and EPSO. This death remains under investigation and the person who died has not been identified at this time.

Officials said Morris and Cole should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see them, you are asked to call 911.

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