Monthly Archives: September 2012

September 27, 2011 – Day 57 of Morgan’s Stalking – The Question of Restraining Orders

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Morgan smiling

All three of us (Morgan, Steve & myself) had a discussion about the stalker at breakfast, as well as Steve’s feelings about a restraining order.  A while back, we had decided to let the detective weigh in when he came on board, and today I was going to do just that. Steve and I wanted Morgan’s opinion now, and we discussed the dangers of restraining orders.  We didn’t really know what the best course was, and we once again we grappled for the answer.  Morgan wanted a restraining order, but agreed with us that we should wait to see what the detective thought…this ultimately was a BIG mistake! Morgan was convinced it was Keenan, and wanted to know why the sheriffs did not just confront him?  We did not have an answer for that, not an acceptable one anyway.

Morgan was pressed for time, and had to leave for school, so I did sent an email to the detective during my lunch break, telling Rob it was very nice to meet him, and about the incident that has happened last night in what has become the stalker’s most popular time.  The detective had talked about stakeouts, and Steve and I are hoping he would read the email I sent him, and just come by tonight at around that time.  But, as we found out, that was not how it works.

In the email I reminded him to please remember to give us the case number, and asked him for his ideas or concerns about a restraining order.  We realized that you can’t get a restraining order against your stalker or stalkers, a restraining order has to be directed at a person, a specific person.  I didn’t share with him Morgan’s certainty, but I did name Keenan as the person we would be seeking a retraining order against.  I also added that we were not 100% positive yet that is was him, but Morgan was.

I had asked those two questions and clicked send.  We would wait for the answer and I already felt apprehension.  Restraining orders are meant to protect, but they also come with some danger, depending on the typology of your stalker.

Morgan came home from school, and went to see Dr. Jensen, a wonderful homeopathic doctor, because her back hurt again.  He adjusted her, and she was feeling much better when she came back.  She went out to visit with friends, and came home at 9:30 pm – before I would have felt the need to text her.  We had a very quiet night, which was great, as well as disturbing.  Anytime anything changed it would be quiet for at least a day or two.  Once again we had the detective’s truck parked in our driveway for a long time, while we went over the case, but that even seemed to have been enough to make this stalker pause again.

(Police reports later show the “suspect” was not working this evening.  On 9.27.2011 he worked from 1:03 am – 6:07 am & then from 6:40 am – 10:20 am)

Click here to read about the 58th day of Morgan’s stalking https://morgansstalking.com/?p=1421

Is a Blog about Morgan’s Stalking helping?

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Steve and I are embarking on a course of action to file a compliant wherever conduct rose to a level that a complaint is warranted.  It will take weeks, if not months to do this, and will not be limited to any one component of the crimes committed against Morgan Ingram, we seek to include all of the crimes committed against Morgan.  Whenever possible, a copy of the complaint will be posted on MorganIngram.com and talked about here on the Blog.  I am really not sure how often it will be appropriate to post the complaint, but I’m hoping that at least half of the time it will be shared as it happens.

Today I am reflecting, I am honoring all our nation’s murder victims, and their surviving family members as part of this day of remembrance.  And even though Steve and I include ourselves in that group, technically we are not, because Morgan’s official cause of death went from natural causes to suicide.  Obviously I want to ask the question of how do you call the death of a 20 year old woman, found with a date rape cocktail containing no less than six different recognized date rape drugs in her system, with all of her jewelry (of value) missing from the room she was found in, after being viciously gang stalked for four months, and with what has been called by numerous professionals, a “massive” dose of Amitriptyline also in her system, when she had not taken amitriptyline or had a prescription for over 18 months before her murder.  Can’t help but add that the Forensic Pathologist who came to this conclusion produced a document, with his notes clearly handwritten on it, explaining that “while it may seem large amount of Amitriptyline it was really insignificant” and STILL TO THIS DAY maintains she was taking Amitriptyline right up to her death!  But of course, until Morgan’s voice (us as her surviving parents) has the chance to question all this in a court of law, nothing changes.  If this were your daughter wouldn’t you want answers, transparency, compassion, to be informed?  Why didn’t this happen?  Wouldn’t you fight for your child – no matter how long it took?

Last night, just before midnight, another milestone was reached –

The Morgan’s Stalking Blog reached over one million views in 84 countries!

And the part of that “stat” I am most excited about is that we have helped three stalking victims start to reclaim their lives, and also helped many others to at least share their story and seek help.

So take a second today to reflect on those who have been senselessly murdered, and the extreme pain that their families have had to, and will have to endure.  Morgan told me many times that the way things are done now mom, is through social media – it seems she was right again.  We love you Morgan . . .and always will, until we meet again.

Love, Mom & Dad

National Day of Remembrance For Murder Victims: September 25, 2012

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On September 25, 2012, the National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. (POMC), and countless other crime victims and survivors will gather in cities and towns across America for the National Day of Remembrance to pay tribute and honor our nation’s murder victims and their surviving family members. The National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims not only recognizes murder victims but also honors those organizations throughout America that provide services such as support, advocacy and counsel to loved ones of murder victims.

COVA in Colorado says:

This year we will celebrate our nation’s 6th Annual Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. We will hold our commemorative ceremony today at 11:30 AM at the Plaza in front of the new Denver Crime Lab at 1371 Cherokee Street in downtown Denver. The annual event is co-sponsored by the Front Range Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children, Voices of Victims, the Victim Assistance Unit of the Denver Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and COVA.Rev. Leon Kelly will provide the invocation and Greg LaBerge, Director of the Denver Crime Lab, will offer remarks during the ceremony. The featured speaker will be Pat Tuthill who will share her unconventional and unexpected healing journey following the brutal homicide of her daughter, Peyton, in 1999 in Denver. She has been an outspoken activist and advocate of the Interstate Compact for Adult Supervision and for victims and public safety. She is the founder of the Peyton Tuthill Foundation which awards educational scholarships to siblings and children who have been left behind by homicide. Then, as is our custom families of murder victims are encouraged to bring a picture of their loved one to display. A representative from each family may present the name of their loved one, the date of birth and date of death at the microphone. There will be resource tables provided by the event’s cosponsors to assist with helpful information for victims and service providers. Please join us on September 25 to honor the memories of murder victims and recognize the impact on families, friends, and the greater community.

September 26, 2011 – Day 56 of Morgan’s stalking – we meet our detective

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snow on Mount Sopris

After her classes, Morgan came home and just hung out and rested.  I worked and waited to meet our detective at 4:00 pm.  Steve came home early from work, and we laid out our array of papers for the meeting.

The detective called and he was running late, I told him we were all home and ready anytime, so that was fine.  Just before 5:00 pm we met, it was 56 days into Morgan’s stalking, and now it was officially a felony stalking case.  We hadn’t called the sheriffs on day one of the stalking, so it was actually more like around 52 days since the first call to the Garfield sheriffs, but they knew when it had first started.  The detective didn’t have the case number with him, but said he would get that to us once he got back to his office and looked it up.

We went over our records, showed him the cameras and the systems in place to protect Morgan.  He told us that not many people went to such lengths, and we could certainly file a claim, a compensation claim with the victim’s rights coordinator, and get reimbursed for at least part of what we were spending on all of our stuff.  That was nice to hear as it was a considerable expense so far, but we never did.  We were more hopeful about putting an end to all of this, and there had not been one in sight up until now, we all discussed exactly where this case was at this moment in time.

The detective had obviously talked with some of the deputies who had become our “regulars” on the case so far. He said Garfield County had a protocol of shifting the officers around to different areas of the county on a regular basis, and we did not have a group of the same two or three deputies, over time, I wouldn’t be surprised if we had met all of the patrol deputies eventually in the entire department.  He knew that the deputies so far had zeroed in on one person, but he said he was going to be revisiting everything and would, “go where the evidence led him.”  It was too late to cast any of the footprints or fingerprints, and at that time none of our pictures were clear enough to identify one exact person, so it could take a while.

Morgan explained the usual events, and how she had been followed, and was not certain when it had really began, but knew that since August 2 it had been pretty constant.  The detective asked her for suspects, and Morgan had one name for him, Keenan Vanginkel, we added a few more to the list, but those names we thought might be helping the stalker, and not actually the stalker.  She was downplaying her fear, and how upset she would get, so I felt I had to encourage her to tell the detective how she really felt as this was happening – that helped.  Morgan had built up a wall to what was going on, and when she let that down she instantly started to tear up, and almost cry, as she explained how she felt about what had been happening.  Morgan never liked to be thought of as weak, and it was uncomfortable to watch her struggle, but it had to come out.  I wondered if the detective was seeing the same thing I was.

After he left, Morgan could not get out of the house fast enough.  She was upset that she had shown a little weakness, and was now going to see her friends in Carbondale, where she could pretend everything was normal.  Steve and I talked about the meeting, and were not sure what to make of it, it was not what I had expected, but then I had nothing to compare it with either.

Steve texted Morgan at 7:35 pm, “Just left for dinner. Text me when you gonna come home cuz mom left her phone at home.”  Morgan answered, “Will do. :). “ Later, at 8:40 pm Steve texted again “We are home.”  Morgan came home at 10:00 pm and went to bed.  She didn’t say anything about the detective or her stalker.

In a replay of the last few nights, the motion detector went off at 10:43 pm, and I waited for another rock on Morgan’s window.  That did not happen, but I had heard noise outside our room, when Steve went to look, he didn’t find anything out of the ordinary, and we went to sleep.

(Police reports later show the “suspect” was not working this evening.  On 9.26.2011 he worked from 8:30 am – 12:59 pm & then from 1:30 pm – 5:27 pm)

Almost 2 years after Morgan’s murder we finally received the police reports (see this one supplemental below) – his date is incorrect – he called us on Sunday the 25th, but he did not meet with us until Monday the 26th:

Supplement Report #5 2011-20197

Print Date/Time: 10/01/2012 11:29 October 3, 2011

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
ORI Number: CO0230000

A few weeks ago, I was advised of this case. It was further requested that I contact the victim family and consider putting up sheriff’s office issued wildlife cameras in an attempt to capture photos of the suspect(s).

On September 25, 2011, I met with the Ingrams at their home located at 62 Corral Dr. Carbondale, CO. We went over the case history. The Ingrams explained to me that the suspect(s) began to harass them in the first part of August 2011. Since then they have had a continuance presence by the suspect(s).

Activity will include small rocks being thrown at the house, scratching of the windows, and a known presence in their yard. The Ingrams have installed motion sensor lighting and wildlife cameras of their own.

On a regular basis, motion detectors will go off and the lights will turn on. Further evidence of suspect(s) activity will include shoe prints in a dirt area along the house. In one instance, outlined in Deputy Locklear’s previously submitted supplemental report, the Ingrams captured a photo of the suspect using one of their wildlife cameras. Deputy Locklear obtained the photo and submitted it into evidence. The photo depicts a male person but is not clear enough to show identity.

I requested that the Ingrams document every suspicious activity so that a log could be generated. Furthermore, I advised that the documentation would support a subsequent criminal prosecution.

I then took a tour of the home so I could learn the floor plan of the home. I also walked the exterior of the home. I then installed two wildlife cameras on the north side of the home. This area between the Ingram’s and the neighbor’s house is near where a lot of the activity is occurring. It is also the location of Morgan Ingram’s bedroom.

Click here to read about the 57th day of Morgan’s stalking https://morgansstalking.com/?p=1401

How under reported is the problem of stalking, and what can we do about it?

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As I write a blog called Morgan’s stalking it should come as no great surprise that I come in contact with victims of stalking – before this I would have never known this was such a hugely under reported crime.  Before Morgan was stalked, and murdered, yes absolutely and very shockingly murdered, Steve and I really did not know very much about stalking.  It was a word that had meaning, but in that far away sense, never to cross our universe.

Now it is different for me, the victims of stalking mean more than I can explain.  I have this drive now that compels me not want what happened to Morgan to happen to anyone else.  Is that such a bad thing?  I will never believe that it is, and I know that the solution starts with the truth.

First comes a change that must happen for all of us.  In a 2009 study by the Bureau of Justice on stalking in the United States, over 60% of stalking victims never reported the crime, I believe that, and suspect that today it is not very different.  Yet that is a number that has to change, drastically.

How does this happen?  Again, with the truth – stalking is a crime under the laws of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government.  Research it and read it, assume your stalker has already done the same.  Also, research the victim’s rights laws in your state, know them and expect them to be upheld.  I have no doubt that our stalker already knew all about the laws he was breaking, how else could he have done it so well?

Next, after you contact law enforcement, ask yourself a simple question.  Are they being reactionary?  Are they reacting to your calls about another stalking incident, or is there a plan of prevention being put in place?  If it is just reaction, don’t be surprised, that is the way law enforcement is taught.  Crime occurs – react.  Until every agency in the country has a protocol to step forward and seek to prevent your stalkers next step, instead of sitting back, and reacting – the stalkers have been given the upper hand.  And, unfortunately for us all, that is the situation that I believe far too many of us are saddled with today.  This is why education, as well as a change in existing protocols needs to be implemented.

Do I think for one second that our detective wanted to see Morgan end up dead, no of course not.  He has children of his own that he loves dearly, he was devastated the day Morgan was found.  For me to be frustrated that he came to our door without any of the right tools, when I thought he had all the answers is to be expected.  No matter what I am ever told, I doubt I will ever, as a mother, fully forgive myself for allowing my daughter to be murdered, and Steve feels exactly the same way.  It does not help, we know this, but if that is how we feel, don’t expect us to let anyone else off easy.

In what may be a very unscientific conclusion, all of the many victims that have contacted me, with the exception of two, feel that they are receiving the cold shoulder from law enforcement.  Do not be surprised if this is how you feel.  Two had their stalkers arrested, after proactively using cameras that were able to snap photographic evidence of their stalker – their LE agencies confronted their stalkers, as they had obvious proof, and the stalkers confessed. This is so wonderful – but trust me it doesn’t always happen like that.

I received some very good counsel from a very wise individual today, and it has helped me very much.  And let me share part of it with you, if you even think you may have a stalker, seek help, early and often.  Because if you keep silent and do not, then it is just you against your stalker, and what more could your stalker ask for?

Please – the time is now – Take Stalking Seriously!