Local news in Houston: 20-year-old man charged with murder of 48-year-old at southwest apartment complex

A 20-year-old man, Zachary Charles Douglas, has been charged with murder after a man was found dead, wrapped in blankets, at a southwest Houston apartment complex three months ago. It is alleged that Douglas committed the murder of Stephen Douglas Johnson, who was 48 years old. He was arrested on unrelated charges on January 11^th, and after speaking to detectives, he was charged for his role in Johnson’s death, based on a report by ABC 13 on January 13, 2023.

On October 3, 2022, the remains of the deceased individual, Stephen Douglas Johnson, were discovered at the Redford Apartments located on Redford Street near the intersection of Edgebrook Drive and the Gulf Freeway. The discovery was made after employees at the apartment complex reported a foul odor to the police. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Johnson’s body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition, wrapped in blankets inside a closet in the apartment.

An autopsy determined that Johnson died from blunt force trauma. Police believe he was killed on or shortly after August 21^st, 2022. Further investigation by the police revealed that Douglas was the suspect in the death of the man and that they did not provide any information about the reason behind the death or the relationship between Douglas and Johnson. HPD said they believe there are witnesses to this incident who have not yet come forward, according to a report by Fox News on January 13, 2023.

Previously, Houston police found multiple security and safety issues at the Redford Apartments after a body was discovered in October 2022. There have been several other incidents of violence at the complex, including six shootings and one fatal stabbing, according to ABC13 data from January to October 2022.