Morgan is always on 
my mind, and forever in my heart – she will never be forgotten.
This is the same for all those
many other families that I have spoken with over the past few years. So many are in, or were in, the same situation as ours…their child had been determined to be; a missing person/runaway, suicide, accidental death, or natural causes, when there was credible evidence that these are the wrong conclusions.
I can understand when law enforcement receives a case that they have worked on but can’t ever seem to get enough evidence to make an arrest – of course that happens, and then it becomes a cold case. BUT there are so many cases like Morgan’s that are never allowed to be investigated because the evidence is ignored. It is a case (for all different reasons) that law enforcement does not want to investigate – they do not want it to be a homicide and please, don’t believe for one moment in time that this does not happen…it does.
People ask me, “How can you keep fighting for an investigation to be opened when local law enforcement won’t listen?” It isn’t easy, but just like other parents in our situation, when you have credible evidence, facts that show your daughter or son was a victim of a homicide, you can’t just drop it and walk away. Sure it may be a little less painful to walk away and pretend it never happened, but you would know that you are allowing a murderer(s) to walk free. That doesn’t work for me, it doesn’t work for Steve and it doesn’t work for so many thousands of other supporters that want to see justice for Morgan…it doesn’t matter how long it takes, we won’t give up.
We are not grieving parents that can’t accept that our daughter is dead – we know she is dead, we know nothing will bring her back. We also know first hand that not every murder that is committed is listed as a homicide. We have spoken with many other families that have been in the same situation – some of them have fought for 5 years, some for 13 years, some for over 20 years before the truth has come to light, and their loved ones were able to receive justice. Some families are still fighting to this day. These are cases where their children were not considered victims of homicide – but they should have been. If you believe for one moment in time that it doesn’t happen, start reading the news. It happens too often, and it is always horrific for the families…how can they do that to parents that have lost a child to a violent crime, and then it is cover up for many different reasons? To lie and cover up a murder is not only criminal, it is also a crime against humanity. Human atrocities have happened throughout human existence, because good people have stepped back and kept quiet – they did not stand up for what is right. Look back on history and ask yourself, “What would I have done?”
Morgan was, and is loved. Morgan was, and is important. We want only justice and truth for Morgan – nothing less. The holidays will be here soon – remember to hold each other tight, and tell each other how much you love them…every day is precious, and every moment together is a moment to make a memory…a memory that you will carry with you forever.
Love & light to you all.
Hey Toni,
I just finished reading you’re blog in its entirety. As most of the people that have commented on here, I too am astonished that this case has not been handled properly! I kept expecting to read the next post that described the case being re-opened! Can you tell me if there has been any progress of late?
I’m located in Chicago and stumbled upon your blog via Reddit. This story has made me so frustrated that I wanted to travel to Colorado just to give the GC department a piece of my mind! But clearly they do not really care. I am very sorry for your loss. It’s quite clear that your daughter was a beautiful girl with a good head on her shoulders. And I have no doubt that she is constantly watching over you and your family.
I grew up with three older sisters but always wanted to be the protective brother! Your blog has made me more aware my surroundings. I feel the need to keep an extra eye out anytime I see a woman walking by herself or someone acting suspicious. Your efforts are not in vain! I guess I just wanted to share that with you and tell you to keep pushing.
Best Wishes,
Paul
Dear Paul – thank you so much for your kind words, as well as your comment about keeping an extra eye out anytime you see a woman walking by herself, or someone acting suspicious…I feel like it would be a much safer place in this world if everyone felt like you about watching out for others. I am so beyond words about Colorado. It makes me so angry that it has been almost 4 years since Morgan was murdered, and all along I thought with so much solid evidence that SOMEONE in Colorado would have opened her case. I know agencies at the state level have tried to get permission to investigate, but because of the law of original jurisdiction (Home Rule) unless the sheriff, coroner or DA allow it then no one is allowed in to investigate. And it is true – they all have to walk the same halls so no one is about to go against the others. I have also found out from seasoned detectives that stating it was natural causes, and then changing her manner of death to suicide, allowed Garfield County to keep her case from getting investigated, essentially derailing a murder case.
In Colorado FOHVAMP helped bring about a Cold Case Task Force in the Department of Public Safety and required the CBI to maintain a database of unsolved murders. This law requires all law enforcement agencies to report unsolved murders to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, all cases that have been open for three years or more. It also allows cold case family members to ask local agencies to call in CBI’s cold case homicide team to assist with their investigation. If the agency declines, it must send a written explanation to the family member.
BUT in Morgan’s case (and others like hers) if law enforcement, along with the coroner NEVER allow it to be a murder case it can never become a cold case, and thus never be investigated. Think of the implications of that…no murders, no cold cases, no one else can ever come in to investigate what is going on. The perfect environment for corruption…and Morgan and our family ended up on the receiving end of that corruption.
Even considering all of what I have just said above I promise you our family will never give up. I know Morgan’s case will be investigated and the truth will come out…I just can’t tell you when that will be. And your support of our efforts really means a lot to me so thank you for writing in to me. Take care!