Murder suspect Isabelle Johnson arrested in Cottondale, Florida

Isabelle Johnson, wanted for the murder of a Niceville man, was arrested in Cottondale after a nationwide manhunt lasting over 45 days.

Walton County murder suspect caught after digital trail leads to Cottondale

A nationwide manhunt for Isabelle Johnson, wanted in connection with the murder of a Niceville man, ended Thursday when she was taken into custody in Cottondale, Jackson County, according to wjhg.com.

Johnson was apprehended wearing a shirt bearing the words "Force to be Reckoned With." She faces an open count of murder linked to the death of Jason Coulthart, whose body was discovered buried in a shallow grave on a property in Freeport in June.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office identified Johnson as the prime suspect following that discovery and issued a warrant for her arrest. Investigators said a tip received earlier this week indicated she had been in contact with an individual outside her location, prompting them to obtain a digital search warrant.

"Earlier in the week, we got some details about, she had been communicating with someone. From that, we were able to execute a digital search warrant and find an IP address that led us to the location in Cottondale," said Walton County Sheriff Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson.

Cosson noted that investigators still have significant gaps to fill. "We have a 45ish day gap of when we execute a search warrant, and she has been on the run, so we want to find out all the details," he said, adding that authorities are working to determine her full movements during that period.

The investigation into who aided Johnson while she evaded capture is ongoing. Five individuals have already been arrested on charges of accessory after the fact to a capital felony.

Johnson is currently held at the Jackson County Jail and is expected to be extradited to Walton County on Friday.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)