Two Arrested in Pearl River County with Ties to Colorado Investigation

Key Takeaways:

• Two individuals linked to a Colorado missing persons case were arrested in Mississippi.
• The suspects, Johnny Morris, 46, and Hailey Cole, 43, were identified as persons of interest.
• Local residents provided tips that aided law enforcement in the search.
• Additional charges of commercial burglary and attempted residential burglary were filed.
• Pearl River County authorities are coordinating with Colorado law enforcement as the investigation continues.

Arrests of Persons of Interest

Two individuals connected to a missing persons investigation in Colorado were apprehended on December 30, 2024, in Pearl River County, Mississippi. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado had identified Johnny Rankin Morris , 46, and Hailey Diane Cole , 43, as persons of interest in the case.

Local Leads Spark Search

Acting on information from Colorado authorities and tips from local residents, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office initiated a search for Morris and Cole. At approximately 8:15 a.m., a resident reported a white male matching Morris’s description attempting to break into her vehicle.

Apprehension Without Incident

Deputies from the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with officers from the Picayune Police Department, conducted a systematic search of the area. By 9:00 a.m., Morris and Cole were located camping in a shed and were taken into custody without incident. Both were transported to the Pearl River County jail for processing.

Additional Charges Filed

Following their arrest, local investigations led to additional charges against Morris and Cole for commercial burglary and attempted residential burglary . These charges stem from activities uncovered during the search and apprehension process.

Interstate Law Enforcement Cooperation

The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with Colorado law enforcement as the investigation continues. Sheriff David Allison acknowledged the diligent efforts of his deputies and the Picayune Police Department, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in such cases.

“We appreciate the collaborative work of our team and the community’s assistance,” Sheriff Allison stated.

Ongoing Investigation

The arrest of Morris and Cole marks a significant development in the ongoing missing persons case in Colorado. Authorities have not released further details regarding the missing individual, and the investigation remains active.