NY AG’s Office Opens Probe Into Rockland County Familicide

ALBANY, NY — The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation has opened an investigation into the deaths Dec. 30 of a police officer, his wife and their two sons in Rockland County.

SEE: Father Killed Wife, 2 Sons In New City Familicide

At 12:15 a.m. Saturday, the Clarkstown Police Department received a call from the Bronxville Police Department asking for a wellness check at the home of BPD Sgt. Watson Morgan, who had not shown up for his 11:30 p.m. shift, the AG's office said.

CPD officers entered the home at 10 Clydesdale Court and found Morgan, his wife, and their two children dead from apparent gunshot wounds to the head. Morgan’s gunshot wound is alleged to be self-inflicted.

Twelve-year-old Gabriel was in seventh grade at Felix Festa Middle School. Liam, 10, was a fifth-grader at Laurel Plains Elementary School. Ornela Morgan, 43, was a teacher in the Bronx.

Morgan 49, was a youth officer. According to the Bronxville police, he began his career in 2000 with The New York City Police Department. He joined the Bronxville Police Department in 2007. He was promoted to detective in 2014 and to sergeant in 2016.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated.

If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident, the AG's office said.

The New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline is 1 (800) 942-6906. The website is www.nyscadv.org

Also find more resources at the National Domestic Violence Hotline website.