Ohio – In a disturbing case in Ohio, a 32-year-old woman, identified as T. Paschal, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a 41-year-old man, identified as T. Morgan, after a meeting that originated from a casual encounter on a dating app. Paschal pleaded guilty to aggravated murder with a gun specification on Wednesday, as announced by prosecutor E. Kolkovich. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of Morgan in his home on April 19, 2023.
“Morgan was a beloved member of our community. He was a loving father, husband, and son as well as a mentor to many. This tragedy will be felt for years to come,” said Kolkovich. “This community is safer as a result of this sentence. Thank you to the police department and the assistant prosecutors on this case.”
Authorities uncovered that Paschal was involved in pros-itution. The tragic event unfolded after Morgan and Paschal met on a dating app called Bumble. They had been chatting for a few days before Morgan invited her to his home. On April 19, 2023, a 911 hang-up call was made from Paschal’s phone. Concerned, police officers conducted a welfare check at Morgan’s residence after he failed to pick up his 4-year-old daughter from school.
Upon arrival, officers found Morgan lying in a pool of blood, having been shot seven times in the head and torso. The crime scene was chaotic, with shell casings, wine bottles, bloody footprints, and evidence indicating that Paschal had been in Morgan’s bedroom. Witnesses reported seeing a person with long, dark hair leaving the home.
Investigators quickly pieced together the events leading up to the murder. Phone records placed Paschal at Morgan’s home shortly after midnight. At 7:04 a.m., Morgan sent her $50 via Cash App. Minutes later, gunshots were heard. Digital evidence showed that Paschal had discarded her phone and made suspicious Google searches about what information Apple shares with authorities. She also searched her own name over 40 times and frequently checked news articles about the murder.
Paschal was linked to the killing through phone records, mobile apps, DNA evidence, and ballistics. Detectives confirmed that she was at Morgan’s home at the time of the murder. She was indicted the following month. On Thursday, Paschal was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 23 years. In court, she apologized to Morgan’s family, saying, “I’m very sorry, and I hope that one day you can find it in your hearts to forgive me.”
Morgan’s mother, addressed the court, requesting the maximum penalty for Paschal. “He’s not here to tell his story. Only God, my son, and you know the truth of what happened on April 19. All I know is he was brutally murdered by you, and he basically died for nothing,” she said. “Your actions to take my son’s life changed my life forever. It’s changed all of our lives. Even more so, you took a father from two beautiful children. They were his world, and he was theirs.”
This heartbreaking case serves as a reminder of the dangers that can arise from online encounters. The community continues to mourn the loss of Morgan, a cherished father and educator.