Ellis Heather, a 26-year-old West London gang rapper known as Rackz, has been found guilty of murdering social media star Stephen Morrisson, who was fatally stabbed in Epping, Essex, on June 23, 2020. The victim, known online as Zero Ls, was 30 years old and regularly posted content on Snapchat and YouTube, also appearing in music videos for his rapper brother Morrisson.
Details of the Incident
On the evening of the murder, Morrisson stumbled into a music video shoot organized by Heather and Yonas Girma, 29, known as Yosh, from Feltham, north London. The shoot involved a videographer, technical assistants, models, extras, and live reptiles used as props at two locations in Essex, including Wake Valley car park. Morrisson, driving a Vauxhall Corsa, irritated the filming crew, hit his head on a tree, and appeared to drive at them, forcing them to jump out of the way. He was then fatally stabbed in the chest.
Aftermath and Evidence
After the stabbing, Heather partied with friends and laughed while listening to music by Morrisson's brother, who has enjoyed success in the UK singles and R&B charts. Heather later rapped about the murder with lyrics: 'OL got wet and he's dead (wet, wet, wet, wet),' jurors were told. Days after the death, a woman who had been on the video shoot called 999, reporting that Heather was responsible. She later traveled with Heather to a rural area, where he allegedly disposed of the murder weapon and threw a blood-stained cloth from the car. Going at speeds up to 70mph, Heather became ill, told her to take the wheel, and was sick out of the window. When asked why he was feeling ill, he told her 'this is my first M,' said to be slang for murder.
Verdict and Sentencing
A jury at the Old Bailey found Heather guilty of murder and cleared Girma of wrongdoing. Members of Morrisson's family burst into tears as the verdict was given. Heather, a member of the west London gang CGM, was remanded into custody to be sentenced on July 17. Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, from Essex Police, said: 'Today's verdict finally delivers justice for Stephen and his family, almost six years after his life was so tragically taken. They have shown immense strength and patience as this case has progressed – often away from the public view – and our thoughts remain firmly with them today.'
