Rapper Ellis Heather, known as Rack5, has been handed a life sentence with a minimum of 28 years before he can be considered for parole, for the murder of content creator Stephen Morrisson in Epping Forest, Essex, in June 2020. The conviction brings an end to a six-year ordeal for Morrisson's family, who had waited patiently for justice after their loved one was stabbed during a music video shoot.
The Old Bailey heard that Morrisson, also 30, was attacked after an altercation with the filming crew, reportedly becoming irritated when he attempted to get involved in the shoot. This featured large snakes and a Komodo dragon as part of Heather's drill song. It is alleged that Morrisson angered Heather by appearing to drive his vehicle towards the rapper's entourage, leading to a confrontation where he was stabbed.
Morrisson, who was known online as Zero Ls, fled the scene in a bloodied state and died in hospital approximately two hours later. Heather, from Burnham in Buckinghamshire, is a member of the west London gang CGM, also referred to as 1011. At the time of his conviction, he was already serving a prison sentence for firearms offences.
Following the murder, disturbing details emerged about Heather's actions, including reportedly rapping about the incident and even partying after the event, listening to music by Morrisson's brother – who has achieved chart success in the UK. Police arrested Heather within days of the murder but it took five years for him to be formally charged in July 2025, following an extensive investigation involving over 200 hours of CCTV footage and evidence from 50 mobile phones and five vehicles.
Essex Police's Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood commended Morrisson's family for their "tremendous strength" during the six-year wait for accountability, acknowledging the "unimaginable pain" they had endured. The conviction brings some closure to the grieving family as they look towards a future without their loved one.