Article 11 – 'Rita Morgan's Tragic Death'
Miami Daily Herald Newspaper article, written by reporter Mike RePort, 2/15/10
"Dexter Morgan, Confessed Serial Killer, Commits Suicide"
"Interviews with his Colleagues and Family"
I have received many requests to follow-up on this story of human tragedy that has affected us all to a great degree. The human mind is complicated and at times so strong but as this story has shown us, also so very fragile. This reporter can not explain the complexities of the human mind but can only provide you, the reader, with information concerning the aftermath of Dexter Morgan's life guided by his Dark Passenger.
My last article on Dexter Morgan, published on January 23rd, 2010, told you that he had committed suicide and that his personal struggle was over. That is true but those that were close to him are still struggling with their own feelings and looking for answers. Their struggles may ease over time but may never be resolved. This is the aftermath of Dexter Morgan's tragic life, leaving those close to him to deal with the consequences. This is their ongoing story.
My interviews with the following people that knew him the best gives us some insight into the Dexter Morgan that he wanted others to see and also how each of these people are dealing with their own internal struggles. The MMPD has these individuals in counseling now to make sure that each has the best opportunity to come to terms with their own questions and feelings concerning their personal relationship with Dexter Morgan.
These interviews are published with the full permission of the MMPD, the FBI, and each of the individuals interviewed. My comments have been approved as well. The purpose of this article is two fold; one is to inform the public of the Human Interest side of an event in our community that has affected each of us on a personal level and, two, to allow those closest to Dexter Morgan to speak out about their personal tragedies in their own words. I personally want to thank each and everyone interviewed for their bravery and their candor. I will be interviewing Lt. Maria LaGuerta, Sgt. Angel Batista, Detective Joey Quinn, Forensics Expert Vincent Masuka, and last but not least, Detective Debra Morgan. Each of these individuals has worked with Dexter Morgan and of course Debra Morgan is his sister.
My first interview was with Lt. Maria LaGuerta. She was the only person in Homicide at the MMPD involved with the initial investigation and sting operation involving Dexter Morgan. She was his supervisor and colleague. Lt. LaGuerta presented herself as a professional first then as a colleague when we spoke.
MR – Lt. LaGuerta, may I call you Maria for this interview?
Lt. ML – Yes that will be okay.
MR – Thank you, Maria. First of all I want to thank you for granting me, my newspaper, this interview. I know this is not easy for you and by granting this interview you are allowing others to know about your personal struggles concerning your team here at the MMPD and of course with Dexter Morgan. As we have discussed I will ask you several prearranged questions and follow-up questions to those as needed and then you will have the opportunity to speak freely as you wish.
You were the only one in Homicide that had prior knowledge to the sting operation. How did that affect you?
Lt. ML – As you know I was approached, along with my Captain and the Chief, by the FBI, initially with some very damning information but not complete enough to convict. The information you put together along with the FBI was compelling but needed something more substantial backed by hard evidence.
Making an accusation based on assumption and few facts falls short of what the courts require to convict. When I first heard that Dexter Morgan was suspected of being a Serial Killer I was literally shocked. I didn't know what to say, I was actually speechless. It made no sense to me, knowing Dexter Morgan through our work together. He was always such a quiet thoughtful person and so thorough in his work that he just seemed to be there as a person that you could count on, could trust.
Trying to picture him as a Serial Killer, trying to accept that as a valid thought worthy of further action at first seemed impossible. We spent over three hours, as you know, in that meeting before I was able to allow myself to entertain the thought of developing a plan to further the investigation. It was one of the most difficult processes I've gone through in my career.
As we developed the plan and moved forward I was in constant conflict. At one level as a professional I knew we had to move forward and prove or disprove all of the allegations. At a very personal level I wanted Dexter Morgan to be innocent. My stomach was in knots for weeks. It was very difficult working with him and the rest of my team knowing that our plan was in motion and the possible outcome would be that he was actually a Serial Killer.
MR – I know that you have lost several people very close to you over the last few years. How have you dealt with your loss up until now and has that changed since this most recent tragic event with Dexter Morgan?
Lt. ML – One of the people you refer to was Sgt. James Doakes. We were very close professionally and had been partners at one time. He was labeled the Bay Harbor Butcher but we now know that the Bay Harbor Butcher was actually Dexter Morgan. Up until this new information was known I was very troubled by the closing of that case. I felt I knew James better than anyone and couldn't believe that he was capable of what he was charged with. I tried to get the FBI to reopen that case but I didn't have enough to go on to make it happen. I now know the truth.
This points out one of the dilemmas that I have been dealing with since the truth about Dexter Morgan has come to light. I knew James better and have had my doubts all this time but yet I knew Dexter too, very well, or so I thought. I'm glad that James has been cleared and glad that the truth about Dexter has been confirmed by his own confession and the evidence. But, how could so much of what was a given for me be so wrong and or be so contrived and not be able to know or do anything about it? This has shaken my professional confidence and my trust in others.
MR – What have you done to help your team deal with this, the Dexter Morgan tragedy?
Lt. ML – As the unit commander it became my responsibility to interview each member of the team and provide my assessment to the brass and the counselors to help guide them in their decisions concerning the correct course of action over the last few weeks. My main concern of course was for each one's personal well being independent of work then of course their ability to function as professionals in their work. I believe this process will bring about the results I hope for. Each member of the team is strong in their own way and I have every confidence that we will all go forward as survivors of this very tragic time.
MR – I understand you will be in a new position within the department starting next month. Please let us know about that.
Lt. ML – That's true. After all that has happened I realized that I could serve the department and my colleagues better in a new position in the Special Investigations Division for the MMPD. I will be promoted to the position of Captain on March 1st when I take over the department. I will still be available to my team here in Homicide whenever needed.
MR – Is there anything else you would like to add?
Lt. ML – I know that we will all survive this terrible time. The department will be in good hands when I transfer out. Sgt. Batista is being promoted to Lieutenant and will be the new unit commander for Homicide. His team will be there to serve the community as they always have.
MR – Thank you for the interview and your professionalism in dealing with this very difficult investigation.
That concluded my interview with Lt. Maria LaGuerta. She was recently married to Sgt. Angel Batista and between them have served their community for over 30 years. My observation of Maria's state of mind at this time is that she is dealing with this series of events in a very professional manner but yet I wonder if at a deeper level, like the rest of her team, she is still struggling to deal with her own feelings. I know I would be.
Article 11 – 'Rita Morgan's Tragic Death'
Author's note;
This article, and the ones that will soon follow, are being added due to several requests. It is a challenge to speak through each character's voice to let them tell their own story at such a personal level. Once again, any review you wish to leave would be appreciated.