A gangster rapper has been found guilty of murdering a social media star after the victim disrupted a music video shoot featuring exotic animals, including large snakes and a Komodo dragon.
Stephen Morrisson, known as Zero Ls, was fatally stabbed in Epping, Essex, on June 23, 2020. The 30-year-old regularly posted content on Snapchat and YouTube and appeared in music videos by his rapper brother, making the sign of zero and L, representing zero losses.
Disrupted Music Video Shoot
On the day of the murder, Morrisson stumbled into a music video shoot organised by drill rappers Ellis Heather and Yonas Girma. He irritated the filming crew, hit his head on a tree, and appeared to drive at them, forcing them to jump out of the way. He was then fatally stabbed in the chest.
Following the incident, Heather partied with friends and laughed while listening to music by the victim's brother, a successful artist in the UK singles and R&B charts. Jurors were told Heather later rapped about the murder with the lyrics: 'OL got wet and he’s dead (wet, wet, wet, wet)'.
Trial and Verdict
Heather, 26, known as Rackz, from Slough, Berkshire, and Girma, 29, known as Yosh, from Feltham, north London, denied involvement in the fatal stabbing. A jury at the Old Bailey found Heather guilty of murder and cleared Girma of wrongdoing.
Members of Morrisson's family burst into tears as the guilty verdict was given. Jurors were not told about Heather’s membership of the west London gang CGM. He was remanded into custody to be sentenced on July 17.
Details of the Incident
The court heard that both men had been involved in 'carefully planned' arrangements for filming a music video, including a videographer, technical assistants, models, extras, and live reptiles used as props. The group converged on two filming locations in Essex, including Wake Valley car park, where they crossed paths with Morrisson in a Vauxhall Corsa.
At 7:34 pm, one woman in the group was pictured posing with a large snake. Minutes later, Morrisson was fatally stabbed, and the defendants left the area. Days after his death, a woman who had been on the video shoot called 999 to report she had heard Heather was responsible.
Witness Testimony
In May 2024, the woman provided a detailed account, saying Morrisson appeared 'weird' and 'very loud', at one point banging his head on a large tree. He then drove at members of the group, forcing them to jump back, with the defendants at the front. The witness, who had a brief relationship with Heather, recalled that Morrisson appeared drunk and did 'a couple of circles' of a tree before driving towards them.
She said it seemed he might run them over or 'scare them' but braked hard. The defendants were 'confused' and 'angry' about what happened. Heather swung his arm towards Morrisson, though the witness did not see a knife. As Morrisson drove away, bare-chested, blood was dripping down his neck.
The woman later travelled with Heather to a rural area where he allegedly disposed of the murder weapon and threw a blood-stained cloth from the car. Going at speeds up to 70 mph, he became ill, told her to take the wheel, and was sick out the window. When asked why he was ill, he said 'this is my first M', slang for murder.
Police Statement
Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood of Essex Police said: 'Today’s verdict finally delivers justice for Stephen and his family, almost six years after his life was so tragically taken. They have shown immense strength and patience as this case has progressed – often away from the public view – and our thoughts remain firmly with them today.'
He added: 'This investigation has presented significant challenges and required the dedication of many officers and staff to ensure the truth was uncovered. While no outcome can undo what has happened, we hope this verdict provides them with some sense of closure and they can move forward knowing those responsible for Stephen’s death have been held to account.'
