Cory Morris
Serial Killer and Necrophile
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Phoenix, Arizona
TIME PERIOD
2002-2003
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
Cory Deonn Morris, known as "The Crackhead Killer," is an American serial killer who murdered at least five women in his trailer in Phoenix, Arizona, between September 2002 and April 2003. The victims, primarily female sex workers, included Barbara Codman and Shanteria Davis, whom Morris claimed died from drug overdoses or accidental strangulation during sexual encounters. Morris was apprehended on April 12, 2003, and subsequently convicted of five counts of first-degree murder, receiving a death sentence. He is currently imprisoned at Florence State Prison, with ongoing investigations into potential additional victims and evidence gathered from his trailer and confessions.
Cory Morris is believed to have targeted female sex workers due to their vulnerability, and there is speculation that he may have used drugs to incapacitate them before killing them. Some theorize that his confession about the circumstances of the murders—initially claiming drug overdoses and later stating they were accidental strangulations—reflects an attempt to evade full responsibility for his actions. Additionally, there is a belief that his friendly demeanor allowed him to gain the trust of his victims, making it easier for him to lure them into his trailer.
The Story of Cory Morris: From "Huggy Bear" to "The Crackhead Killer"
Early Life and Ambitions
Cory Deonn Morris, known notoriously as "The Crackhead Killer," was born on May 10, 1978, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As the eldest of three children, Morris appeared to have a promising future ahead. He attended Douglass High School and later joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) with aspirations to become a military officer. However, at the age of 22, life took a different turn for Morris when he relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. With no place to call home, he persuaded his aunt, Melva Willis, to allow him to park his trailer behind her residence.
In Phoenix, Morris found work at a local bar named Fat Cats, a hotspot frequented by sex workers and their pimps. His outgoing and amiable nature earned him the nickname "Huggy Bear" among neighbors and coworkers. Yet, beneath this friendly exterior lurked a dark and deadly secret.
A Series of Murders
From September 2002 to April 2003, Morris's trailer became the site of a series of gruesome murders, claiming the lives of at least five women. His victims were primarily female sex workers, each lured to his trailer by promises of money or drugs.
Barbara Codman — September 2002
The harrowing tale begins in early September 2002, with 46-year-old Barbara Codman. According to Morris's confession, he had agreed to pay Codman $20 for sex. Afterward, Morris claimed he left the trailer briefly, only to return and find Codman unresponsive, allegedly from a drug overdose. However, Morris later altered his story, admitting to detectives that he had accidentally strangled her during the encounter.
Shanteria Davis — October 2002
In October 2002, Morris recounted a similar scenario with Shanteria Davis. For $5, Davis agreed to have sex with him in his trailer. Following the act, Morris claimed he left and returned to find Davis unconscious. He covered her with a blanket and later disposed of her body in a nearby alley. Initially, Morris asserted she had overdosed, but under police scrutiny, he confessed that he accidentally asphyxiated her when she requested to be choked with her own hair.
Jade Velazquez — February 2003
February 2003 saw the death of Jade Velazquez. Morris claimed that after a night of sex, he awoke to find Velazquez dead beside him. As with previous victims, he initially blamed a drug overdose before admitting to strangling her, supposedly at her request.
Sherry Noah — March 2003
Sherry Noah's tragic end came in March 2003. Morris arranged a meeting with her, and after having sex, he returned to find her dead, again attributing it to an overdose. He later admitted to strangling her and disposed of her body near a neighbor's house.
Julie Castillo — April 2003
Finally, in April 2003, Morris encountered Julie Castillo on a cold night. He took her back to his trailer, where she asked for drugs. Morris obliged, and later, he claimed to have found her dead from an overdose. He did not alert authorities, leaving her body undiscovered until his uncle stumbled upon it.
Arrest and Trial
The chilling odor of decay began to follow Morris, noticed by friends who attributed it to the Arizona heat and his walks to work. However, the truth emerged on April 12, 2003, when Morris's uncle discovered the decomposing body of Julie Castillo hidden under blankets in Morris's trailer. This grisly discovery led to Morris's arrest.
During police interrogations, Morris initially deflected responsibility, attributing the deaths to overdoses. However, confronted with the impossibility of his stories and the mounting evidence against him, Morris confessed to the murders, albeit claiming they were accidental. The jury was not convinced. The court found Morris guilty of five counts of first-degree murder, and he received the death penalty. He is currently imprisoned at Florence State Prison.
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Fourth Murder Committed
Morris kills Sherry Noah, claiming she died of an overdose.
Fifth Murder Committed
Morris kills Julie Castillo, whose body is later discovered by his uncle.
Arrest of Cory Morris
Morris is arrested after his uncle finds Julie Castillo's body in his trailer.
Confession to Murders
Morris confesses to the murders but shifts blame to accidental deaths.
Trial Verdict
Cory Morris is found guilty of five counts of murder and sentenced to death.
First Murder Committed
Cory Morris kills Barbara Codman, a sex worker, in his trailer.
Second Murder Committed
Morris kills Shanteria Davis, another sex worker, and disposes of her body.
Third Murder Committed
Cory Morris kills Jade Velazquez in his trailer.
Cory Deonn Morris, known as "The Crackhead Killer," is an American serial killer who murdered at least five women in his trailer in Phoenix, Arizona, between September 2002 and April 2003. The victims, primarily female sex workers, included Barbara Codman and Shanteria Davis, whom Morris claimed died from drug overdoses or accidental strangulation during sexual encounters. Morris was apprehended on April 12, 2003, and subsequently convicted of five counts of first-degree murder, receiving a death sentence. He is currently imprisoned at Florence State Prison, with ongoing investigations into potential additional victims and evidence gathered from his trailer and confessions.
Cory Morris is believed to have targeted female sex workers due to their vulnerability, and there is speculation that he may have used drugs to incapacitate them before killing them. Some theorize that his confession about the circumstances of the murders—initially claiming drug overdoses and later stating they were accidental strangulations—reflects an attempt to evade full responsibility for his actions. Additionally, there is a belief that his friendly demeanor allowed him to gain the trust of his victims, making it easier for him to lure them into his trailer.
The Story of Cory Morris: From "Huggy Bear" to "The Crackhead Killer"
Early Life and Ambitions
Cory Deonn Morris, known notoriously as "The Crackhead Killer," was born on May 10, 1978, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As the eldest of three children, Morris appeared to have a promising future ahead. He attended Douglass High School and later joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) with aspirations to become a military officer. However, at the age of 22, life took a different turn for Morris when he relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. With no place to call home, he persuaded his aunt, Melva Willis, to allow him to park his trailer behind her residence.
In Phoenix, Morris found work at a local bar named Fat Cats, a hotspot frequented by sex workers and their pimps. His outgoing and amiable nature earned him the nickname "Huggy Bear" among neighbors and coworkers. Yet, beneath this friendly exterior lurked a dark and deadly secret.
A Series of Murders
From September 2002 to April 2003, Morris's trailer became the site of a series of gruesome murders, claiming the lives of at least five women. His victims were primarily female sex workers, each lured to his trailer by promises of money or drugs.
Barbara Codman — September 2002
The harrowing tale begins in early September 2002, with 46-year-old Barbara Codman. According to Morris's confession, he had agreed to pay Codman $20 for sex. Afterward, Morris claimed he left the trailer briefly, only to return and find Codman unresponsive, allegedly from a drug overdose. However, Morris later altered his story, admitting to detectives that he had accidentally strangled her during the encounter.
Shanteria Davis — October 2002
In October 2002, Morris recounted a similar scenario with Shanteria Davis. For $5, Davis agreed to have sex with him in his trailer. Following the act, Morris claimed he left and returned to find Davis unconscious. He covered her with a blanket and later disposed of her body in a nearby alley. Initially, Morris asserted she had overdosed, but under police scrutiny, he confessed that he accidentally asphyxiated her when she requested to be choked with her own hair.
Jade Velazquez — February 2003
February 2003 saw the death of Jade Velazquez. Morris claimed that after a night of sex, he awoke to find Velazquez dead beside him. As with previous victims, he initially blamed a drug overdose before admitting to strangling her, supposedly at her request.
Sherry Noah — March 2003
Sherry Noah's tragic end came in March 2003. Morris arranged a meeting with her, and after having sex, he returned to find her dead, again attributing it to an overdose. He later admitted to strangling her and disposed of her body near a neighbor's house.
Julie Castillo — April 2003
Finally, in April 2003, Morris encountered Julie Castillo on a cold night. He took her back to his trailer, where she asked for drugs. Morris obliged, and later, he claimed to have found her dead from an overdose. He did not alert authorities, leaving her body undiscovered until his uncle stumbled upon it.
Arrest and Trial
The chilling odor of decay began to follow Morris, noticed by friends who attributed it to the Arizona heat and his walks to work. However, the truth emerged on April 12, 2003, when Morris's uncle discovered the decomposing body of Julie Castillo hidden under blankets in Morris's trailer. This grisly discovery led to Morris's arrest.
During police interrogations, Morris initially deflected responsibility, attributing the deaths to overdoses. However, confronted with the impossibility of his stories and the mounting evidence against him, Morris confessed to the murders, albeit claiming they were accidental. The jury was not convinced. The court found Morris guilty of five counts of first-degree murder, and he received the death penalty. He is currently imprisoned at Florence State Prison.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Fourth Murder Committed
Morris kills Sherry Noah, claiming she died of an overdose.
Fifth Murder Committed
Morris kills Julie Castillo, whose body is later discovered by his uncle.
Arrest of Cory Morris
Morris is arrested after his uncle finds Julie Castillo's body in his trailer.
Confession to Murders
Morris confesses to the murders but shifts blame to accidental deaths.
Trial Verdict
Cory Morris is found guilty of five counts of murder and sentenced to death.
First Murder Committed
Cory Morris kills Barbara Codman, a sex worker, in his trailer.
Second Murder Committed
Morris kills Shanteria Davis, another sex worker, and disposes of her body.
Third Murder Committed
Cory Morris kills Jade Velazquez in his trailer.