Two individuals are facing charges for the murder of Stephen Morrisson, the brother of Lauren Goodger’s former partner, who was fatally stabbed in a car park in Epping, Essex, in 2020. The 30-year-old victim was assaulted and then driven to a nearby petrol station where he collapsed.
Essex Police have confirmed that two suspects appeared at the Central Criminal Court on December 23 and pleaded not guilty to the crime. According to an Essex Police spokesperson, the incident occurred when Stephen sustained a fatal stab wound during a confrontation in a car park on June 23, 2020.
The 30-year-old passed away in the hospital shortly after the attack. Following an extensive investigation involving the examination of over 200 hours of CCTV footage and the review of numerous exhibits and electronic devices, 28-year-old Yonas Girma and 25-year-old Ellis Heather have been charged with murder.
Both defendants appeared in court on December 23 and denied the charges. A trial date has been provisionally scheduled for four weeks starting on May 18. Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, is leading the investigation into Stephen’s murder.
DCI Wood emphasized the commitment to obtaining justice for Stephen’s family and friends, acknowledging the challenges faced during the five-year investigation. The investigative team is focused on meticulous trial preparation while keeping the impact of the tragedy on the victim’s loved ones in mind.