Utah Woman And Dog Killed After Her Boyfriend Locked Them In Storage Unit, Set It On Fire: Cops
March 3 2023, Published 3:10 p.m. ET
A Utah woman and her dog were killed after her boyfriend allegedly locked them in a storage unit and set it on fire, according to police.
Around 4:45 p.m. on Feb. 18, the Murray City Fire Department responded to a fire at CubeSmart Self Storage in Murray, KUTV-TV reported.
After putting the fire out, firefighters found one person and one dog deceased in the storage unit.
The victims were later identified as 27-year-old Morgan Kay Harris and her dog, Huck, according to the Murray City Police.
Harris’ boyfriend, 30-year-old Alexander Wardell, allegedly told police he locked Harris and Huck in the storage unit before he set it on fire and left the scene, KSTU-TV reported.
Wardell was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on charges of kidnapping, negligent homicide, violation of parole, two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon and two counts of criminal mischief, officials said.
Wardell has a criminal history and was released on bond just one day before allegedly killing Harris and Huck, according to KUTV-TV.
The suspect reportedly violated his probation on Feb. 16 and was released from jail on Feb. 17 after paying a $5,000 bond.
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He is now currently being held without bond.
Morgan’s family released a statement saying she “was always known for her sweet, shy and kind temperament” and she had “amazing artistic abilities” and an “infectious giggle.”
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