Drill rapper jailed for life for stabbing influencer to death while filming music video

Drill rapper Ellis Heather, 25, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering content creator Stephen Morrisson, 30, during a music video shoot in Epping, Essex. Heather received the sentence at the Old Bailey on July 17, 2026, and will be required to serve a minimum of 28 years in prison. The incident occurred on June 23, 2020, in a car park near Loughton, when Morrisson, known online as Zero Ls, was stabbed in the torso during a violent altercation. Morrisson, who frequently posted content on Snapchat and YouTube, was filming a music video featuring large animals such as snakes and a Komodo dragon at the Wake Valley Pond car park. Despite sustaining serious injuries, he managed to leave the scene and seek medical assistance at a nearby petrol station before ultimately passing away in hospital. Heather, whose stage name is Rack5, is a member of the west London gang CGM, also referred to as 1011. He is already incarcerated for previous firearms-related offenses. During the trial, jurors were presented with evidence indicating that Morrisson exhibited unusual behavior upon arrival at the shoot, including hitting his head against a tree and driving erratically toward members of the group. A witness testified that Heather became furious due to these actions and subsequently stabbed Morrisson in the chest. Heather later allegedly bragged about the attack in a music video. The police investigation into Morrisson's death involved over 200 hours of CCTV review and the seizure of numerous items, including nearly 40 electronic devices, five vehicles, and multiple mobile phones. The case came to trial on June 23, 2026, following a five-week legal proceeding. Heather was found guilty of murder by a jury. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Lickley KC described Heather's actions as "extreme violence," emphasizing that he had "used a knife to deadly effect" without just cause. The judge noted that Heather showed no regard for Morrisson's condition after the attack and even mocked his family in public. In a statement read by Morrisson's mother, Lorraine, she expressed deep sorrow over her son's death and highlighted the lasting impact on their family. She mentioned that Morrisson's young child, along with his nieces and nephews, have lost the opportunity to know him, and that they continue to honor his memory at family gatherings and events. Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, the senior investigating officer, stated that the verdict concludes a lengthy pursuit of justice for Morrisson and his family. The investigation, which began on the evening of June 23, 2020, spanned several years and involved extensive efforts by law enforcement personnel. Wood acknowledged the emotional toll on the family and hoped the ruling brings them some comfort, assuring them that accountability has been achieved.