Zachary Douglas, 20, arrested after a decomposed body was found in a closet in October 2022.

HOUSTON – Three months later, police made an arrest in connection with the death of a man found in the closet of a southeast Houston apartment.

Zachary Charles Douglas, 20, was charged with the murder of 48-year-old Stephen Douglas Johnson.

Records state that around 5:00 pm on October 3, 2022, Clear Lake patrol officers responded to 1300 Redford Street about reports of a body in an apartment complex. Workers said that they felt an unpleasant smell near the door of an apartment building.

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When the officers arrived, they entered the unit and, during a search, found the decomposed body of a man later identified as Johnson. Officials say he was found wrapped in blankets in the closet.

According to the autopsy report, Johnson is believed to have been killed on or shortly after August 21, 2022. It took a little over a month before he was found. His death was due to blunt force trauma, the report said.

Further investigation led investigators to identify Douglas as a suspect in the case. On Wednesday, he was arrested on unrelated charges.

Douglas spoke to homicide detectives and was subsequently charged with involvement in Johnson’s death.

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Investigators say they believe there were witnesses to the incident who have yet to come forward.

Anyone with additional information is strongly encouraged to contact HPD Homicide at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS in this case.