A Utah woman and her dog were found dead February 18 in a storage unit, allegedly locked inside by her boyfriend. Alexander Wardell, 30, reportedly trapped Morgan K. Harris, 27, and her beloved dog, Huck, inside the storage unit shortly before a fire broke out. Witnesses at a nearby car wash saw the blaze and called 911, but it was too late.
Surveillance from the scene shows a man jumping the fence shortly after the fire started, according to KSL-TV. Court documents obtained by the news outlet show that Wardell had been released from jail right before the fire occurred at CubeSmart Self Storage in Murray.
Wardell left the area on foot, but investigators said they are unsure of the cause of the fire or if he was involved. According to the affidavit, Wardell told police that Harris was his girlfriend. “The female was in the unit when he closed the door to the unit putting a lock into door,” the affidavit reads.
Wardell has a lengthy criminal history.
Domestic violence is a big part of Wardell's past. KUTV reported that Wardell is on probation for two prior domestic assault cases involving an ex-girlfriend, both from 2018. Wardell allegedly beat his former girlfriend with a golf club and threatened her with a knife in December 2018, the news outlet reported. His ex-girlfriend filed a protection order against him.
He also pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor criminal mischief charges and spent 220 days in jail. Because he pleaded guilty to the charges, a judge removed his five-year prison sentence and gave him 36 months of probation, KUTV reported.
Wardell continually violated his probation.
He violated his initial probation in January 2021, which restarted his 36-month probationary period, according to KUTV. Wardell was released to a sober living facility in March 2022 and reportedly violated his probation again in June by illegally possessing a dangerous weapon.
His probation officer recommended a judge put his original prison sentence into place due to the multiple parole violations, but that reportedly did not happen, KUTV reported.
Wardell's most recent arrest was on February 16 for a fifth parole violation, just two days before the fire that killed Harris. Court documents show he was held on a $5,000 bond that he posted and was released the next day, KUTV reported.
Wardell and Harris had been together since July 2022.
The couple began their relationship last summer, according to Facebook posts by both Harris and Wardell. Both posted photos from the past several months, looking like a happy couple.
For instance, Wardell posted a video in September of Harris playing in a waterfall. A comment on the post reads, "Love seeing you happy!" To which Harris responded, "thank you! Miss you, we should get together soon."
Harris wanted to be a mother.
According to her obituary, Harris was a bright woman who excelled in school and enjoyed being creative. She spent time as a professional model before marrying her husband, Cody Harris, in 2013. They eventually divorced.
The post reads, "She really wanted to be a mom, but was never able to carry a full term baby." Instead, she put all her "love and energy" into her nieces, nephews, and dogs. She became a medical assistant and loved her job.
"Morgan is described as shy and the most gentle, kind, peace-making soul by everyone who knew her. She was artistic, liked to be informed on current issues, thought deeply and conversed about many subjects," the obituary states.
Her family and friends are heartbroken over her death.
Harris' sister, Kit Crichlow, created a GoFundMe account on behalf of Harris' mother, Laurice Williamson. The family hopes to raise funds to help with final expenses, and her funeral will be March 4. The fundraiser, which has a goal of $30,000, has received donations of more than $16,000 thus far.
"I'm so sorry for your loss and heartbreak, Laurice. My love to you and your family, and my thoughts are with Morgan at this time. ❤️" one comment reads.
"We love you, Laurice, and your, Morgan. I am so sorry to learn of Morgan's tragic passing. May the Lord bless and protect you," another donor wrote.
The investigation is ongoing. Wardell is in Salt Lake City Jail, being held without bail, on charges of kidnapping, homicide, and probation violation.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women's shelter (domesticshelters.org).
