Morgan’s keyboard & Morgan’s sheet music – photo taken by Morgan Jennifer Ingram

Every afternoon I remember Morgan sitting down at her keyboard and playing her sheet music – it filled our house with such joy. Sometimes she would sing while playing and that was always an additional treat.  I loved hearing her music, as well as her sweet, soft voice.

When Morgan was in elementary school she learned how to read sheet music.  Then when she was in middle school she decided she wanted to teach herself how to play the piano, which she did.  We bought her a keyboard and she practiced all the time.  Eventually, when she was in high school, she asked if she could have lessons.  We were blessed to know of an amazing piano and vocal coach.  Morgan then took lessons for a few years and loved it.  After that she just enjoyed coming home from school, sitting at her keyboard, and playing whatever sheet music that interested her.

This was just one of Morgan’s passions, and I was always so grateful to be able to hear such beautiful music being played in our home.  Morgan also had many friends that were musicians, and when they came over it was so much fun to listen to them play on the keyboard, bongos and guitars…I loved it!  And I miss it.  I miss Morgan and everything that was Morgan.  It hurts so much at times that I can’t even swallow.  It’s hard to hold back the tears while my heart constricts and I try to put on a “good” face on for everyone around me.  It’s not fair that she was taken from this world – but I know life isn’t always fair.  I know bad things do happen to good people.

I have so many beautiful and happy memories of Morgan, even though she was only on this earth for such a short time.  She was our youngest child and very loved.  What I have learned from our family, as well as so many other families that have had their loved ones murdered…the horrible toll that it takes on the whole family, the parents, the siblings, the aunts and uncles, the nieces and nephews, the Godparents, the cousins, as well as close friends – the ripple effect goes on and on.

I have seen and heard the damage to the lives of everyone that loved the “victim” and when the murderer(s) are still at large, the damage continues.  😟

As per Scripps News there has been more than 211,000 homicides committed since 1980 that remain unsolved – a body count greater than the population of Des Moines, Iowa. The FBI estimates that the homicide clearance rate in 2012 was only 64 percent, down from 90 percent reported in 1965 when the government first reported statistics.

This is just not acceptable to me – and probably not to you either, so I have become extremely involved in moving towards a solution.  Something that has a chance of solving more of these cases.  I want to honor Morgan in everything I do in my life, so not only have I been working with other victims of stalking, I have been chosen to be the West Coast Director for FOHVAMP (Families of Homicide Victims and Missing Persons).

At this time the US does not have a national database in which law enforcement can share their cold case information.  In an effort to assist in the creation of a national database FOHVAMP will announce a national initiative to create awareness of this pressing issue and to further advance resolution in cold case homicides and missing person cases nationwide.  The database will provide information to law enforcement, as well as the public with the hope that someone/somewhere will recognize the persons described in the case descriptions and provide additional information that may help solve these cases.  We intend to bring about social change using a new perspective.

I am also involved as the Case Manager for Law Enforcement Investigations for the JS Intuitive Investigation Alliances, working on missing person cases, cold cases and unresolved deaths.  Working alongside families, law enforcement, the FBI, and the DEA helping with leads. Both of these organizations do work pro bono for the families, as well as law enforcement.  I give my time to both of these organizations because justice is a right, and I want to be a part of a solution.

I know Morgan is also helping from the other side, so even though I may no longer hear her beautiful music I can “feel” her presence in everything I do – she is still guiding me, and I am eternally grateful.