(The Center Square) – Two individuals wanted by Colorado law enforcement in connection to a missing persons case and possible homicide were arrested Monday in Pearl River County, Miss.
Johnny Rankin Morris, 46, and Hailey Diane Cole, 43, were taken into custody after a search stemming from a tip that someone matching Morris’ description was attempting to break into a vehicle in southern Mississippi county. Both were booked on outstanding Mississippi warrants, Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office said.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado said on Thursday it was looking for Morris and Cole, whom they “considered armed and dangerous,” in connection to a Dec. 19 incident where “large quantities of blood” were found at a residence. The office issued a “Be on the Lookout” for Morris and Stephen Walker, 37, in connection to the incident.
During a welfare check last Tuesday at a residence in nearby Park County, police found a deceased man, citing “possible homicide,” as well as a vehicle sought in the El Paso sheriff’s BOLO.
“Upon [Park County law enforcement’s] arrival, it was discovered the known occupant of the residence in Park County had indirect ties to the (December 19) missing person(s) case in El Paso County,” the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
The sheriff’s office also said it was looking for a blue 1994 Ford F-150 pickup truck with Colorado plates that “could be in Colorado or possibly en route to Mississippi.” Investigators in Colorado found that both Morris and Cole had “familial ties” to Pearl River County, Miss.
Walker is still “missing under suspicious circumstances” in connection to the Dec. 19 incident.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the Park County Sheriff’s Office, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigations.
“The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office is in close contact, and coordinating with Colorado law enforcement,” the sheriff in the Mississippi county said.
Morris and Cole also face charges for commercial burglary and attempted residential burglary.
