GARLAND, TX – Two individuals have been arrested in connection with a murder investigation that took a dramatic turn when they were apprehended following a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle belonging to the victim. Authorities are piecing together the details of a case that has shocked a quiet Garland neighborhood.
The suspects, identified as 20-year-olds Haley Barbour and Leo Moore, are believed to have lived with the victim, 53-year-old Johnny Mac Ross Jr., for several weeks before his tragic death. Ross’s body was discovered wrapped in a combination of sheets and a rug in his own condominium near Lake Ray Hubbard.
Surveillance footage captured the suspects entering and exiting the condominium during a critical period. Investigators suspect this timeframe coincides with when Ross was fatally stabbed. The video evidence is dated from the previous Saturday night, while Ross’s body was found early Monday morning.
The discovery of Ross’s body was preceded by complaints from neighbors about a foul odor emanating from the condominium over the weekend. Neighbor Dylan Meadows reported that the smell became noticeably stronger by Sunday evening. He also recalled hearing unusually loud disturbances from Ross’s apartment the previous week.
Meadows, who had known Ross for about six months, expressed disbelief over the incident. He fondly recalled fishing with Ross and enjoying barbecues together. “He was a really cool dude,” Meadows said, painting a picture of a friendly and generous neighbor.
Despite Ross’s positive interactions with some residents, others in the community hinted at risky activities associated with his condo. These claims are part of the broader investigation as detectives sift through evidence to understand the circumstances surrounding Ross’s death.
Barbour and Moore’s arrest unfolded after they allegedly stole Ross’s 2001 Mercedes-Benz. The duo led police on a chase that ended near the LBJ Freeway on Monday afternoon. Although the vehicle theft adds another layer to the case, investigators are not convinced it serves as the primary motive for the murder.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working with the medical examiner to determine how long Ross had been deceased before his body was discovered. Detectives are hopeful that additional evidence will shed light on the motive and sequence of events leading to this tragic incident.