Salt Lake City, UT – A dramatic turn in a tragic case has emerged as Alexander Paul Wardell, 33, once cleared of involvement in the death of his girlfriend, Morgan Kay Harris, 27, is now facing serious homicide charges related to the fatal storage unit fire where she died.
On February 18, 2023, Harris died along with her dog Huck, trapped in the storage unit she and Wardell called home. Despite a lengthy investigation previously clearing Wardell of starting the fire, new evidence has prompted the Utah Attorney General’s Office to charge him with murder or manslaughter, as well as kidnapping and aggravated animal cruelty.
The Complex Investigation and Initial Clearance
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill initially announced in May 2024 that after an extensive inquiry, no evidence pointed to Wardell intentionally causing the blaze. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), with controlled burns conducted at the ATF’s Fire Research Lab in Maryland to analyze how the fire likely started and spread.
Gill cited the timing of the fire as a major factor in his decision not to prosecute Wardell:
“The testing showed the fire was most likely between 6-15 minutes long. Wardell was away from the unit for a total of 22 minutes, making it unlikely that Wardell intentionally caused the fire before leaving the unit.”
The DA’s report summarized possible causes for the fire as including accidental smoldering from cigarettes, use of candles, or, while deemed “not likely,” an intentional act by Wardell.
Controversies Surrounding the Circumstances of Harris’ Death
Questions and public backlash originated from how Harris ended up trapped inside the locked storage unit. Wardell allegedly locked the door with Harris and Huck inside before walking to a nearby Walmart. He was initially arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide and kidnapping.
Despite public concern, DA Gill defended the decision not to seek indictment, acknowledging the lack of evidence that Harris was held against her will or did not consent to being in the unit. He explained:
“How do I prove she did not consent to that? With what evidence do I do that? Who do I put on the stand? We found no evidence going through her phone, his phone, all the material that we could gather… we could not get there.”
The Broader Justice System Failure and Past Domestic Violence Convictions
The case also highlighted systemic issues, as Wardell had two prior domestic violence convictions and was out on probation violation at the time of Harris’ death. Harris had recently bailed him out of jail just two days before the fatal fire.
Harris’ mother voiced frustration with the justice system’s failure to protect her daughter:
“The justice system failed before she died in that he was a convicted criminal… and was still allowed to even be around another woman.”
New Evidence Overturning Previous Findings
State investigators discovered compelling evidence from a duffel bag seized in nearby Murray, UT, which contained an extra-large blue shirt with blood stains and burn marks. A rapid DNA test confirmed the blood matched Morgan Harris’ DNA.
Additional findings indicate:
- Wardell and Harris were reportedly arguing in the days leading up to the fire, supported by surveillance footage.
- Ten days before her death, Harris sent Wardell a Facebook message expressing fear of abuse and intent to live alone.
- Wardell was reportedly upset over Harris’ spending and had searched “how to obtain a passport” shortly before the fire.
- The indictment states the charged death is supported by substantial evidence, including witness testimonies.
These revelations have led the Utah Attorney General’s Office to pursue charges where the local DA had previously refrained, marking a pivotal development in the case. The new charges include:
- First-degree murder or manslaughter
- One count of kidnapping
- One count of aggravated animal cruelty
For more detailed information on this ongoing case, visit the original report.
What This Means Going Forward
The indictment by the Attorney General’s Office underscores a shift in how justice is being pursued in this case, spotlighting the challenges of prosecuting complex crimes involving circumstantial evidence and past domestic abuse.
Legal experts suggest this case may lead to heightened scrutiny of how domestic violence convictions impact related criminal investigations and pressure on prosecutors to reevaluate evidence rigorously when new facts come to light.
As Wardell remains in custody, the community and Harris’ family await justice for a tragic event mired in controversy and heartache.
Key Points to Remember:
- Morgan Kay Harris died in a storage unit fire on February 18, 2023.
- Wardell was initially cleared by Salt Lake County DA Sim Gill after an extensive investigation.
- New evidence, including bloody clothing and surveillance footage, prompted new homicide and related charges.
- This case highlights challenges in prosecuting domestic violence related deaths.
- Justice system criticism arises due to Wardell’s prior convictions and failure to protect Harris.