In an incident that unfolded in a Rockland County, New York, home, a family of four was discovered dead in the early hours of Saturday, December 30.
The Clarkstown Police Department found the lifeless bodies of Watson Morgan, a 49-year-old sergeant with the Bronxville Police Department, his wife, Ornela Morgan, 43, and their two sons, aged 10 and 12, at their New City residence.
Police made the shocking discovery around 12:20 a.m. at 10 Clydesdale Court during a welfare check. The check was initiated after Sgt. Morgan, a 16-year veteran of the Bronxville Police Department with prior service in the New York Police Department, failed to report for his scheduled Friday night shift.
According to investigators, each family member died from gunshot wounds. The findings at the scene led authorities to theorize that Sgt. Morgan shot his wife and children before ending his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot. A handgun found at the scene supported this theory.
Ornela Morgan, Watson’s wife, worked as a technology teacher in a New York City public school. The heartbreaking event has deeply affected the Bronxville Police Department, the Clarkstown Central School District, and the larger community. The two young victims were students at Laurel Plains Elementary School and Felix Festa Middle School. The school district has expressed its condolences and announced plans to provide counseling services.
Those who knew the Morgan family, including neighbors and colleagues, expressed their shock, remembering Watson Morgan as a devoted father. The Clarkstown School District echoed this sentiment, noting the stark disparity between the public image of Morgan and the tragic incident. An investigation into the motives and circumstances surrounding the deaths is ongoing, led by the Clarkstown Police Department.
The Clarkstown Police Department has assured residents that this was an isolated incident and poses no ongoing threat to community safety. They have, however, asked the public for any information that could provide further insights into the case.
The incident has sparked conversations about mental health and wellness, particularly among law enforcement personnel. The Bronxville Police Department, where Watson Morgan was due to retire in two months, is offering support to its officers in the aftermath of the incident.