Authorities in Florida are stepping up their search for a 38-year-old woman wanted on an open count of murder, offering a reward as they warn the public that she is actively evading capture using fake identities and changing her look.
Isabelle Rose Johnson faces a murder charge in connection with the death of Jason Christopher Coulthart, 43, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies discovered Coulthart’s remains on June 25, buried at a property in Freeport, Florida. Coulthart had been missing since May 24, when he was last seen leaving the College Condominiums.
Officials have not released a potential motive or details on how Coulthart died, nor have they disclosed his exact relationship to Johnson.
“This is not the news we hoped to deliver to our Niceville community,” Niceville Chief of Police Mark Hayse said in a statement. “We stand with Jason’s family and will continue working closely with our partners to see this case through.”
Investigators state that tips gathered during the missing person inquiry directly led them to the Freeport site. Security footage captured Johnson inside a local business days after the body was unearthed, but detectives note she frequently alters her physical appearance. She is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing roughly 120 pounds, with brown hair, hazel eyes, and distinct tattoos, including a scorpion on her left thigh. She has known ties to both Georgia and Alabama.
Police warned that Johnson may be using various aliases, including “Harley,” “Jessica Elaine Bowman,” “Jessica Elaine Thrush,” “Jessica Elaine Thrash,” “Jessica Dowdy,” and “Denise.”
A reward of at least $16,000 is now being offered for information that leads to Johnson’s arrest.
According to police, Johnson has persuaded multiple people to help her dodge law enforcement. Five individuals have been charged so far with harboring or aiding her.
Among those previously named in connection with the case are Michael Ray White, 74, and Kathleen Morris, 59, both of Santa Rosa Beach. They were charged with accessory to a capital felony after the fact and obstruction. Authorities allege White assisted Johnson between June 25 and June 30, while Morris admitted to giving her transportation and supplies, as well as lying to deputies about Johnson being at her home.
“We’re doing some targeted enforcement because we know that somebody knows. We know that somebody else probably helped her,” Walton County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson said. “That’s our focus on our mission right now: trying to identify exactly where she is and anybody that’s helped her, to hold them accountable.”
Sheriff’s officials stressed that anyone else caught assisting the suspect will face severe criminal charges.
“Anyone found to have helped or who is still assisting Isabelle Johnson avoid arrest will be charged accordingly,” Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said. “If you give her a place to stay, help her hide, or lie for her, you will face consequences. This is a homicide case. We will not allow anyone to get in the way of this investigation.”
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