On May 18, 1994, Albert Morris, a 37-year-old white male, was found brutally murdered in his trailer in Hilliard, Florida. The victim had suffered severe trauma, including a gunshot wound, beating, and strangulation. A towel had been forcibly inserted into his mouth, and his pants pockets were turned inside out, indicating a possible robbery. Morris was known to frequent gay bars in Jacksonville and had recently allowed a man named Joey Pearson to stay with him in exchange for assistance with
household chores. However, tensions arose when Pearson failed to fulfill his obligations, leading to a public altercation between the two at a local bar.
Investigators discovered a crucial piece of evidence at the crime scene: a palm print on a TV entertainment center. This, combined with witness accounts, led them to suspect that Joey Pearson was an alias. Further investigation revealed that the true identity of the suspect was Gary Ray Bowles, a 32-year-old white male. Bowles had a history of targeting older gay men, engaging in sexual activities with them, and subsequently murdering them. His modus operandi involved severe physical assault, strangulation, and the insertion of objects into the victims' mouths. Following the murder of Albert Morris, Bowles continued his killing spree, leading to his addition to the FBI's '10 Most Wanted Fugitives' list in November 1994. He was eventually apprehended and confessed to the murders, including that of Albert Morris. Bowles was convicted and sentenced to death, with his execution carried out on August 22, 2019.
