Remains Found on Freeport Property Identified as Missing Niceville Man
The District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed through DNA testing that human remains discovered buried on a Freeport property belong to a missing Niceville man.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office identified the remains as 43-year-old Jason Christopher Coulthart. He was reported missing on May 24, 2026, to the Niceville Police Department after last being seen leaving the College Condominiums on East College Boulevard in Niceville.
According to investigators, Niceville detectives received information on June 25 identifying the location where Coulthart’s body had been buried on property off Sunset Lane in Freeport. Niceville Police notified the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, which had jurisdiction over the location. After obtaining a search warrant, investigators found Coulthart’s body in a shallow grave. The medical examiner’s office responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
On July 9, both agencies received DNA confirmation identifying the remains as Coulthart’s.
“This is not the news we hoped to deliver to our Niceville community,” said Niceville Chief of Police Mark Hayse. “We stand with Jason’s family and will continue working closely with our partners to see this case through.”
“The next step in this investigation is to hold every single person involved in Jason’s death accountable,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “If they knew, if they helped, or if they chose not to speak up, they will have to answer for their role in this.”
The homicide investigation remains active in Walton County. The sheriff’s office said it is continuing efforts to locate Isabelle Johnson, 38, who is wanted on an open count of murder and is believed to be actively evading law enforcement. Three arrests have been made so far, and additional arrests are expected.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office extended appreciation to the Niceville Police Department, the Okaloosa County Jail, the District 1 Medical Examiner, and the State Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the case.
Anyone with information on Johnson’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 892-8111. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 863-TIPS (8477). A cash reward may be available for information leading to her location and arrest.
Originally reported by WJHG Newschannel 7, MyPanhandle (WMBB), WEAR-TV, and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
Image: Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Family photo courtesy of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
