The authorities of Walton County, in northwest Florida, intensified the search for Isabelle Rose Johnson, 38 years old, accused of the homicide of a man whose remains were found in a shallow grave. They are offering up to $16,000 for information leading to her arrest.
The Walton County Sheriff's Office described Johnson as a “master manipulator” who “disguises well,” and warned that she has been on the run for nearly a month while investigations extend to the states of Alabama and Georgia.
The victim, Jason Coulthart, 43 years old and originally from New Jersey, was reported missing on May 24 after being last seen leaving a residential complex in Niceville, Florida.
His remains were discovered on June 25 on a property in Freeport, north of the Emerald Coast beaches, and the identity was confirmed through DNA testing on July 9. Coulthart is survived by a 20-year-old son, his parents, and a younger brother.
On Thursday, exactly a month after the discovery of the body, authorities released new physical details about the suspect to aid in her identification.
Johnson has a rose or flower tattoo on his left hand, which starts below the thumb and extends towards the index finger, another tattoo on his right ankle, and a large scorpion tattoo that goes from his left buttock to his left thigh.
The researchers also believe that she may have cut and dyed her hair to change her appearance.
The suspect, who stands approximately one meter sixty tall and weighs around 54 kilograms, is known to operate under multiple aliases: "Harley", "Jessica Elaine Bowman", "Jessica Elaine Thrush", "Jessica Elaine Thrash", "Jessica Dowdy", and possibly "Denise".
Authorities warn that Johnson may try to manipulate strangers by claiming to be a victim of domestic violence or other vulnerable situations to obtain transportation, money, or shelter.
Five people have already been arrested and charged with concealment for allegedly helping her evade the police.
Among those arrested are 31-year-old Bobbi Wagstaff; the couple Martin and Sandra Leaverton, both 63, from Fort Walton Beach; and 74-year-old Michael Ray White and 59-year-old Kathleen Morris from Santa Rosa Beach.
The deputy chief Dustin Cosson was straightforward about the goal of the investigation: "Our mission right now is to find her so we can hold her accountable for the homicide."
The $16,000 reward combines $11,000 contributed by Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers and the Florida Sheriffs Association, along with an additional $5,000 from the United States Marshals Service.
Anyone with information can call the Walton County Sheriff's Office at (850) 892-8111 or report anonymously to Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 863-TIPS.
The Sheriff's Office concluded its most recent message with a direct warning to the fugitive: "You can keep running. We will not stop searching for you. We know who will tire first."
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