Isabelle Johnson, 38, was arrested in Florida after a 45-day manhunt across Florida, Georgia and Alabama, authorities said. A U.S. Marshals task force took her into custody Thursday at a home near Cottondale without incident. Johnson is charged with murder in the death of Jason Coulthart, whose body was found in a shallow grave in Freeport, Florida, on June 25. She was booked into the Jackson County Jail and is expected to be extradited to Walton County, where officials said additional charges may follow.
| 1) | Arrest ends a multistate search |
|---|---|
| 2) | Cyber Crimes Unit information leads investigators to Cottondale |
| 3) | Missing-person case leads to discovery of shallow grave |
| 4) | Five others face accessory charges |
| 5) | Investigation remains active after capture |
Arrest ends a multistate search
Authorities said the search for Isabelle Johnson ended Thursday afternoon when a U.S. Marshals task force arrested her at a residence off Peanut Road, just outside Cottondale in Jackson County, Florida. Cottondale is about an hour west of Tallahassee. The operation followed roughly 45 days of investigative work spanning Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
Johnson was wanted on a murder charge in connection with the death of Jason Coulthart. Officers reported that she was taken into custody without incident. She was then booked into the Jackson County Jail and is expected to be transferred to Walton County for the next stage of the case.
“We got her. Isabelle Johnson is in custody.”
Cyber Crimes Unit information leads investigators to Cottondale
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said information developed by its Cyber Crimes Unit helped investigators determine Johnson’s whereabouts. After receiving that information, Jackson County deputies and members of the federal task force went to the Cottondale-area address and made the arrest.
Jackson County Sheriff Donald Edenfield confirmed the response at the residence. Walton County Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson credited cooperation among local, state and federal agencies. He said investigators devoted “tons and tons of man hours” to the search, while the broader investigation included more than 40 subpoenas and over 20 search warrants.
“It’s absolutely a good day. It’s really important, again, just want to stress to the public. She’s here, she’s in custody.”
Missing-person case leads to discovery of shallow grave
Jason Coulthart was reported missing on May 24 after he was last seen leaving the College Condominiums on East College Boulevard in Niceville, Florida. During the missing-person investigation, detectives developed information that directed them to a property off Sunset Lane in Freeport.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the property and found Coulthart’s body buried in a shallow grave on June 25, according to the sheriff’s office. That discovery shifted the inquiry from a missing-person investigation to a homicide case and led authorities to seek Johnson on a murder charge.
Five others face accessory charges
Authorities have arrested five other people in connection with the case. Michael Ray White, Kathleen Morris, Bobbi Wagstaff, Martin Leaverton and Sandra Leaverton have each been charged with accessory to a capital felony after the fact.
Officials said Thursday that additional arrests are expected. They did not immediately release further details about the allegations involving the other defendants or explain what additional charges Johnson may face. The case remains under investigation as prosecutors prepare for the next legal proceedings.
Investigation remains active after capture
During the manhunt, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office described Johnson as “cunning” and a “master manipulator” and urged anyone assisting her to stop. Authorities said details about the circumstances of her arrest could not immediately be disclosed because the investigation is still active.
Johnson’s capture resolves the immediate search but does not conclude the broader case. Investigators are continuing to examine the evidence gathered through subpoenas, search warrants and interviews, while Johnson’s expected extradition to Walton County will allow the murder charge to proceed there.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Isabelle Johnson was arrested Thursday near Cottondale, Florida. |
| 2 | The manhunt lasted about 45 days and crossed Florida, Georgia and Alabama. |
| 3 | Jason Coulthart’s body was found in a shallow grave in Freeport on June 25. |
| 4 | Five people face accessory to a capital felony after the fact charges. |
| 5 | Authorities said the investigation remains active and more arrests may follow. |
Summary
The arrest of Isabelle Johnson concludes a lengthy regional search tied to the death of Jason Coulthart. Investigators used information from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit, along with extensive subpoenas and search warrants, to locate her in Jackson County. With Johnson expected to return to Walton County and five other defendants already charged, authorities are continuing to build the homicide case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested?
Isabelle Johnson, 38, was arrested by a U.S. Marshals task force near Cottondale, Florida.
What is Johnson charged with?
She is charged with murder in the death of Jason Coulthart. Authorities said she may face additional charges.
Where was Coulthart’s body found?
Investigators found his body in a shallow grave at a property off Sunset Lane in Freeport, Florida, on June 25.
What happens next?
Johnson is expected to be extradited from Jackson County to Walton County, while investigators continue the active case and consider additional arrests.