Murder Suspect Isabelle Johnson Captured After 45-Day Manhunt Using Disguises and Multiple Aliases
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On May 24, 2026, Jason Christopher Coulthart, 43, disappeared after leaving the College Condominiums in Niceville, Florida. He was reported missing to the Niceville Police Department and a missing person investigation was opened.
On June 25, police received a tip from an inmate being held in the Okaloosa County Jail, who said they knew the location of Coulthart's body. In response, police obtained a warrant for a residence on Sunset Lane in Freeport, Walton County, where they discovered human remains. According to reports, the remains were discovered in a shallow grave beneath a black Cadillac, with concrete poured on top. On closer inspection, a large zip tie was found around the victim's neck.
Isabelle Rose Johnson was identified as a suspect in his death and police issued a murder warrant but were unable to locate her.
According to his obituary, Jason Colthart was born in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, and was a devoted father. He was an electrician who enjoyed spending time in nature and loved being out on a boat, fishing and watching the sunset. Loved ones described him as funny, kind and generous.
Walton County investigators put out a $16,000 reward for those with information leading to Johnson's arrest and urged the public to look out for a 5-foot-3 woman with brown hair and hand and ankle tattoos. According to Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office per WCSC, Johnson's appearance often changed "depending on where she is and what she’s doing."
Johnson, they said, had been moving throughout Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
Cosson also asked the public to look out for anyone matching her description who was looking for help in the form of money, using a phone or asking for a ride.
A collage of images, featuring stills from various surveillance cameras capturing Johnson's movements, showed her in what investigators referred to as various disguises. Johnson could be seen with different haircuts, with and without glasses and caps, and in different styles of clothing. They added that she was also going by different aliases, including Harley, Jessica Elaine Thrush, Jessica Elaine Bowman and Jessica Dowdy.
Police began questioning those who knew her, suspecting they may have been helping her hide from authorities.
In late June, 31-year-old Bobbie Gean Wagstaff was arrested and accused of helping Johnson following Coulthart’s death. Additionally, she was charged with possession of methamphetamines.
According to reports, per Fox News, Wagstaff allegedly helped Johnson dig the shallow grave in which Coulthart's body was discovered.
Reports state that several others were arrested for aiding the suspect. Additional arrests included Michael Ray White, 74, and Kathleen Morris, 59, who were arrested for obstruction and for accessory to a capital felony after the fact. According to Fox10, White claimed he did not know Johnson when questioned by authorities, who claim White allowed the suspect to stay at his residence, providing supplies and assisting her in relocating to another location. Morris, who lives in the same property, admitted to assisting Johnson, helping her evade the law.
According to reports, a witness alleged that Johnson killed Coulthart by tightening a large zip tie around his neck, and that she covered the body with cement so it wouldn't be dug up by the dog.
When questioned about the suspect's motivation, the witness said that the suspect had been feeling aggravated and irritated by the victim and wanted to "get rid" of him. The witness added that Johnson said Coulthart had been getting involved in her child custody battle, and that she claimed he did not think she was fit to be a parent.
In early August, investigators received information that Johnson had been communicating with someone, which led to a digital search warrant and the identification of an IP address in Cottondale, Jackson County, Florida.
On August 13, the Walton County Sheriff's Office Cyber Crimes Unit located Johnson at a property off Peanut Road, and relayed the information to the U.S. Marshals Task Force, who apprehended the suspect inside the residence. At the time, she was clad in a T-shirt that read: “Force to Be Reckoned With.”
She was arrested without incident.
During a conference after the arrest, Cosson said the investigation into Coulthart's death had been constant since the day he went missing, saying: "We're talking over 40 subpoenas, 20-plus search warrants. Total arrests, 20-plus. Directly related to Isabelle Johnson and this case."
Johnson was extradited to Walton County and booked into the Walton County Jail on August 14, where she is being held without bond.
