A drill rapper has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of content creator Stephen Morrisson during a music video shoot in Epping Forest, bringing an end to a case that remained unresolved for several years. Ellis Heather, 30, was found guilty of murdering Morrisson, who was widely known online as "Zero Ls", during a filming session near Wake Valley Pond car park in Loughton, Essex, on 23 June 2020. The Old Bailey heard that Morrisson had been taking part in the production of a drill music video featuring exotic animals, including large snakes and a Komodo dragon, when the violence unfolded.

Heather, from Burnham, Buckinghamshire, was convicted of murder in June and has now been handed a life sentence. He must serve a minimum of 28 years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole.

Already serving a prison sentence for firearms offences, Heather performs under the stage name Rack5 and is associated with CGM, a west London gang also known as 1011.

According to prosecutors, Morrisson encountered the filming group by chance and attempted to become involved in the production. His actions reportedly irritated members of the crew, leading to tensions that quickly escalated.

Jurors heard that Heather became angered after Morrisson allegedly drove toward members of his group, triggering a confrontation. During the altercation, Morrisson was stabbed and suffered fatal injuries.

After the attack, the 30-year-old fled the scene shirtless and covered in blood. Despite emergency medical treatment, he died in hospital approximately two hours later.

In a moving victim impact statement, Morrisson's mother, Lorraine, described the devastating impact of her son's death on the family.

"Steve was a huge part of our lives. He was happy, funny and larger than life," she said. "His death has left an enormous hole in our family."

The court heard that Heather later referenced the killing in his music, allegedly boasting about the attack in song lyrics rapping: "OL got wet and he's dead (wet, wet, wet, wet)." Prosecutors also said he attended celebrations following the murder, during which music by Morrisson's brother — a successful UK artist — was played.

Although Heather was arrested within days of the killing, detectives faced a lengthy and complex investigation before sufficient evidence was gathered to bring charges. He was formally charged in July 2025, five years after the fatal stabbing.

The investigation involved the examination of more than 200 hours of CCTV footage, alongside evidence recovered from dozens of mobile phones and multiple vehicles.

Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood of Essex Police praised Morrisson's family for their resilience throughout the lengthy legal process.

"His loved ones have lived with the unimaginable pain of losing Stephen, while patiently waiting for those responsible to be held accountable," he said.

Wood added that the family had shown "tremendous strength" during the six years that followed Morrisson's death.

The sentencing brings a significant chapter in the case to a close, with Morrisson's family finally seeing justice delivered after years of waiting.

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