A Lehi man, Ronald J. Morgan, 85, who was arrested on Friday for the first-degree murder of his wife, has been pronounced dead while in police custody, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. Morgan was arrested on October 6 for aggravated murder. On the day of the arrest, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a woman covered in blood. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found Morgan, the victim’s husband, also covered in blood. Morgan confessed to killing his wife and was subsequently taken into custody.
While in jail, Morgan experienced medical problems on Saturday, prompting a deputy to call for a nurse who then called an ambulance. Morgan was transported to Utah Valley Hospital, where he later died. The incident is being treated as an in-custody death, as Morgan was still considered in police custody at the time of his death.
During the investigation, Morgan described to the police the process of strangling, punching, slapping, stomping, and bludgeoning his wife with various items until he believed she was dead. He also mentioned using a box with metal edges, shoes, and a wooden box to inflict harm. Morgan’s motive was attributed to frustration that had been building up for several months.
Prior to his death, Morgan was booked into the Utah County Jail on charges of aggravated murder.
