Ronald Bob Morton's father died without seeing his son's killer brought to justice. His mother still attends victim vigils and awaits the day someone will come forward to help close the case, said Potter-Randall Special Crimes Lt. Gary Trupe. "I know she has always wanted to know what happened to her son and why," Trupe said. But it's been nearly two decades since the 35-year-old Morton was brutally killed inside his apartment Nov. 6, 1992, at 2400 S. Polk St., and still those answers continue to elude investigators.
Firefighters arrived at Morton's apartment in the early morning hours after a neighbour called to report a blaze. "Some of the fire department personnel crawled around inside due to the volume of smoke and found him (in the kitchen)," Trupe said. When they pulled Morton out of the apartment building, Trupe said they discovered Morton had been beaten with a kitchen object and stabbed to death with a knife. Fire investigators determined someone had lit Morton's bed on fire in an attempt to cover up the killing, Trupe said. He said the weapons were recovered. Investigators at the time reported Morton was stabbed nine times in the face, five times in the upper torso, twice in the neck and had defensive wounds to his hands.
After firefighters cleared out the smoke, Trupe said they found Morton's dog alive inside a cage. Trupe said authorities determined Morton visited Ellwood Park about 1:30 the morning of his murder, though investigators aren't certain what, if anything, happened while there. Shortly before Morton died, a neighbour heard him return home, police said. "I'll see you later," were Morton's last words to whomever was in the car, Trupe said. Investigators have never been able to determine who was in the car or if they might know anything about the death, he said.
Actions taken after the killing, to try to cover up activity, have led investigators to the conclusion that someone knows who the killer is, Trupe said. But despite having DNA and other pieces of evidence, Trupe said they've never been able to narrow down a good suspect.
In 1995, police thought they had closed the case after then 26-year-old Jeff Scott Rusak unexpectedly walked into a South Texas police station and confessed to killing Morton, Trupe said. "He had some details about that homicide that were a little more specific (than simply saying he did it)," Trupe said. Rusak was arrested and charged, but Rusak's family insisted he was innocent, Trupe said. Local investigators determined despite Rusak's bizarre confession, he could not have committed the crime because he was in California picking up a Social Security check, Trupe said. Charges were ultimately dismissed and the case remains unsolved.
Bill Corpstein ((Melanie's Husband))
Ronald Bob Morton
1992 murder victim stabbed several times
Posted: June 13, 2011 - 12:38am
Amarillo Globe News
By JANELLE STECKLEIN
Ronald Bob Morton's father died without seeing his son's killer brought to justice. His mother still attends victim vigils and awaits the day someone will come forward to help close the case, said Potter-Randall Special Crimes Lt. Gary Trupe. "I know she has always wanted to know what happened to her son and why," Trupe said. But it's been nearly two decades since the 35-year-old Morton was brutally killed inside his apartment Nov. 6, 1992, at 2400 S. Polk St., and still those answers continue to elude investigators.
Firefighters arrived at Morton's apartment in the early morning hours after a neighbour called to report a blaze. "Some of the fire department personnel crawled around inside due to the volume of smoke and found him (in the kitchen)," Trupe said. When they pulled Morton out of the apartment building, Trupe said they discovered Morton had been beaten with a kitchen object and stabbed to death with a knife. Fire investigators determined someone had lit Morton's bed on fire in an attempt to cover up the killing, Trupe said. He said the weapons were recovered. Investigators at the time reported Morton was stabbed nine times in the face, five times in the upper torso, twice in the neck and had defensive wounds to his hands.
After firefighters cleared out the smoke, Trupe said they found Morton's dog alive inside a cage. Trupe said authorities determined Morton visited Ellwood Park about 1:30 the morning of his murder, though investigators aren't certain what, if anything, happened while there. Shortly before Morton died, a neighbour heard him return home, police said. "I'll see you later," were Morton's last words to whomever was in the car, Trupe said. Investigators have never been able to determine who was in the car or if they might know anything about the death, he said.
Actions taken after the killing, to try to cover up activity, have led investigators to the conclusion that someone knows who the killer is, Trupe said. But despite having DNA and other pieces of evidence, Trupe said they've never been able to narrow down a good suspect.
In 1995, police thought they had closed the case after then 26-year-old Jeff Scott Rusak unexpectedly walked into a South Texas police station and confessed to killing Morton, Trupe said. "He had some details about that homicide that were a little more specific (than simply saying he did it)," Trupe said. Rusak was arrested and charged, but Rusak's family insisted he was innocent, Trupe said. Local investigators determined despite Rusak's bizarre confession, he could not have committed the crime because he was in California picking up a Social Security check, Trupe said. Charges were ultimately dismissed and the case remains unsolved.
Anne Burruss (Schreck)
Ron was the first boy I ever kissed. Olsen Park - 5th grade.
Jan Watkins (Staiger)
Ronnie and I had a lot of fun.
We used to go out dancing and hang out together. I was so sorry to hear about his death. He is missed.
Cari Bennett (Rowland)
He was always such a friendly guy in school.