Columbia County Sheriff's Office executed a warrant for the murder of Jordan Morgan on Christopher James Manning, 24, of Waldo. The warrant was served in Dallas, Texas. The charges listed on the warrant are Murder, 1st degree, Arson, and Abuse of a Corpse. Manning is being held on additional charges in Dallas County, TX, unrelated to the murder.

The warrant stems from on December 11, 2022, Jordan Morgan's parents notified Columbia County Sheriff's Office that Morgan was missing, and that no one had heard from him. Witnesses stated that a vehicle, possibly belonging to Jordan Morgan, was located on a residential street in Waldo. Columbia County Sheriff's Deputies responded to that address. The vehicle did return to Jordan Morgan. The vehicle was next to a burnt residence. During the search for Morgan, a body was discovered at the burnt residence. The charred body was sent the Arkansas State Crime Lab for identification. The Arkansas State Crime Lab then positively identified the body submitted was that of Jordan Morgan, 23 of Magnolia.

On September 27, 2023, a warrant was also executed on Lazariah Ellis, 19, of Magnolia, in connection with Jordan Morgan's murder. Ellis is charged with Murder, 1st degree, Arson, and Abuse of a Corpse. She is being held on a $500,000 bond.

There will be more arrests forthcoming in this case.