A tragic incident took place in a suburban home in Rockland County, New York, where a family of four was discovered dead in the early hours of Saturday, December 30.
The victims were identified by the Clarkstown Police Department as Watson Morgan, a 49-year-old sergeant with the Bronxville Police Department, his wife Ornela Morgan, aged 43, and their two sons, ages 10 and 12. The bodies were found at their residence in New City, New York.
The distressing discovery was made around 12:20 a.m. at the family’s home on 10 Clydesdale Court, during a welfare check performed by the police. The check was initiated after Sgt. Watson Morgan, who had served 16 years with the Bronxville Police Department following his prior service with the New York Police Department, failed to report for his scheduled work shift on Friday night.
According to investigators, all four family members succumbed to gunshot wounds. The scene suggested that Sgt. Morgan shot his wife and two children before ending his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The presence of a handgun at the scene supported this hypothesis.
Ornela Morgan, the wife of Watson, was a technology teacher at a public school in New York City. The tragic event has had a profound impact on the Bronxville Police Department, the Clarkstown Central School District, and the wider community. The two young victims were students at Laurel Plains Elementary School and Felix Festa Middle School. The school district has conveyed its condolences and announced plans to provide counseling services to the community.
Members of the community and acquaintances of the Morgan family expressed surprise and shock, remembering Watson Morgan as a devoted father. This view was shared by the Clarkstown School District, underlining the stark contrast between Morgan’s public image and the reported incident. The investigation into the reasons and circumstances surrounding the deaths is ongoing, as the Clarkstown Police Department continues to collect evidence and insights.
The Clarkstown Police Department has assured the public that this was a singular incident and there is no ongoing threat to community safety. However, they have requested the public’s help for any information that might provide more clarity on the case.
The incident has spurred discussions about mental health and wellbeing, particularly among law enforcement personnel. The Bronxville Police Department, where Watson Morgan was due to retire in two months, is reportedly providing support to its officers following the incident.
