Our Response:

First, we would like to state that we have great appreciation for Senator Shaheen and Senator
Warren’s efforts in requesting of NCIS, a thorough review of the events surrounding the Death of
Morgan Patten on November 8, 2019, in Onslow County, North Carolina.
In rebuttal to the response from Naval Criminal Investigative Service dated February 8, 2023,
and signed by Assistant Director, Office of Strategic Communications, Ivan Acosta, please
review the following comments.
We take great offense, first and foremost, to these statements by Mr. Acosta, “They have
therefore speculated that Ms. Patten must have been kidnapped” and “Unfortunately, there is no
information that supports their beliefs and all indications are that Ms. Patten willingly entered the
vehicle with Mr. Wells and Mr. Cornwall,...”. His job at the Office of Strategic Communication is
to choose words carefully to ensure the message is convincing, regardless of accuracy.
The speculation of Sgt. John Edwards, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, that Morgan
entered the vehicle willingly, has less supporting evidence than our speculation that she did not.
Sgt. Edwards was the first responding officer to the crash on November 8, 2019, and, to be
blunt, conducted an incredibly poor assessment of the scene. Though Morgan had been tagged
as a “Jane Doe” due to lack of any identification, and both men had already been transported
from the scene, and despite him finding a firearm in the “debris field” Sgt. Edwards determined
within minutes that he was viewing an “unfortunate dui fatality”; nothing more, nothing less. The
entirety of Sgt. Edwards investigation supporting his theory of an “unfortunate dui fatality” was
complete before the deceased female found face down in a ditch beside White Oak River Road
had been identified as Morgan Patten! More than seven hours later, when speaking with us by
telephone, Sgt. Edwards learned that Morgan Patten had arrived in Jacksonville on the same
evening that she was killed and that she did not know Hunter Wells or Charles Cornwall. It was
not until later on November 9th that Sgt Edwards learned that Morgan’s bill at Applebees had
not been paid the prior evening, and though every officer we have spoken to regarding Morgan’s
death investigation has stated that the driver’s story regarding their activities and intended
destination is senseless, nobody has actively investigated alternate agendas.
The bartender at Applebees, Joshua Thornton provided a written statement, but not to Sgt. John
Edwards or any other law enforcement officer investigating Morgan’s death. Officers from North
Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) obtained the statement from Joshua Thornton as they
were investigating the sale of alcohol to a minor(Charles Cornwall), and they shared this
statement with Sgt. Edwards. Interestingly, Jessica Brown was also working behind the bar at
Applebees on November 8, 2019, and she was never asked to provide a statement to
investigators. Our private investigator met with Ms. Brown on August 18, 2020, and she made
the following statements.
“ They didn’t know nothing about her. They started asking questions.” “And, um, I’m guessing by
the time I clocked out at that point, you know, they weren’t together, period.”
“So when they said that one girl ended up with them, it was hard to see why.”
“She wasn’t trying to socialize or engage. She was just chilling on her own. You can tell she
was a loner. You know what I mean? And a responsible loner because she was by herself. She
wasn’t trying to throw them back or nothing like that.”
Jessica Brown also described the moment when Wells and Cornwall offered to buy Morgan a
shot of Jack Daniels and Morgan declined their offer, but Jessica went ahead and poured three
shots and left them on the bar. There is no indication as to whether Morgan drank the shot or

not. In his written statement, bartender Joshua Thornton claims that the two men offered to buy
Morgan a shot of Jack Daniels, he turned to Morgan and asked her if it was okay if they bought
her a shot, she said yes so he poured her a shot. We find it very disturbing that both bartenders
claim to have had this personal interaction with Morgan, but the details are distinctly different.
We find it more disturbing that law enforcement officers did not question additional staff and
patrons of Applebees, but merely accepted the statement of Joshua Thornton as fact.
According to the rough timeline of events described to our private investigator by Jessica
Brown, she last recalled seeing Morgan at approximately 10:30 pm on November 8, 2019. If her
timeline is accurate, there was only one text message sent from Morgan’s phone after leaving
Applebees, and it was noted by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office Detective who reviewed the
contents of Morgan’s phone that this text message to Phil Brandon seemed “out of character”.
On November 11, 2019, Sgt. John Edwards made the following statement to us. “If Morgan’s
blood alcohol concentration comes back higher than .08 I’m going to assume that she got into
that truck willingly.” Despite the fact that this is an absurdly stupid statement made by a law
enforcement officer, we felt certain that Morgan’s bac would come back significantly lower than
that threshold because we knew that she had consumed one beer with her meal, and possibly a
shot of Jack Daniels during roughly a three hour window. When Morgan’s autopsy and
toxicology report were released, and her bac was reported as being .13, Sgt. Edwards stayed
true to his absurdly stupid statement, and has refused to consider science based mitigating
factors. The very same report showed that Morgan’s vitreous humor alcohol concentration (vac)
at time of death was .02. Research we have conducted and medical professionals we have
spoken with assure us that this large discrepancy between bac and vac is impossible aside from
contamination. Vitreous humor is widely considered the most reliable source when determining
antemortem alcohol consumption in postmortem testing simply because the fluid is protected
from outside contaminants and ethanol production from decomposition. Aortic blood was used
to determine Morgan’s bac, 60 hours after her death, and the autopsy report shows that her
brain, heart and liver were all described as “disruption with hemorrhage”. Further details state
that her heart was “fragmented” and much of her large intestines were in the chest cavity.
Sgt. John Edwards made all of his determinations based on partial and tainted information, and
has shared his tunnel vision with Onslow County Sheriffs Office, Onslow County District
Attorney’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations and now Naval Criminal
Investigative Service. If he is certain that Morgan was killed in an “unfortunate dui” crash, as the
result of her own actions, namely, overconsumption of alcohol leading to poor and
uncharacteristic decision making, why would he stand in the way of further investigations by
other State or Federal Agencies.
The letter from NCIS includes this very important sentence; “While NCIS maintains federal
jurisdiction over Department of the Navy service members regardless of their location, NCIS is
responsible for the investigation of felony level crimes and does not typically investigate traffic
deaths outside of extraordinary circumstances.” In our meeting with Senator Jeanne Shaheen
on December 9, 2022, we shared irrefutable evidence with the Senator and her staff which
clearly shows that Charles E. Cornwall committed felony level crimes leading up to the crash on
November 8, 2019, and also on December 30, 2019, while providing sworn testimony to Lt.
Justin Silvus, USMC, during his Line of Duty Investigation.

The response from NCIS, in its entirety, is unacceptable! It is unacceptable to us and it should
be unacceptable to you. NCIS did not complete the requested task of thoroughly reviewing the
incident, but merely stated, been there, done that. A thorough review MUST include speaking
with us, in person, so we can share the many documents that local law enforcement failed to
obtain and/or include.
If Morgan Patten were your friend, your sister, your child, you would feel as strongly as we do
that this is unjust. In death, Morgan Patten is larger than life; Morgan Patten is a friend, a sister,
a daughter to all of us, and justice must prevail completely. Truth must be absolute! This is
about more than the tragic loss of Morgan Patten; this is about accountability in Government at
all levels. The baseless victim shaming is abominable!
We urge that you please demand better of the Department of the Navy and Naval Criminal
Investigative Service. At the very least, demand that their representatives involved in this
fictitious review of events surrounding the death of Morgan Patten meet personally with us,
immediately. We are willing to travel anywhere to facilitate this.
Morgan Patten deserves your immediate attention to this matter.
Thank you.
Steven and Renee Patten
Philip Brandon

Over the last several days I have become more aware of the blatant disrespect we have received as a grieving family in a wrongful death case from those whose job it is to get Morgan the justice she deserves. I can’t even count how many times we have heard the words,”there is nothing more we can do” or “we have to assume she was willingly in the vehicle”, without doing a proper investigation. Both are disgustingly unacceptable, while the criminals responsible for Morgan’s death are out there living their lives as if this nightmare we every day never happened. Even more disturbing is that those same people have families of their own that they go home to every night. They have wives and daughters who look at them like heroes for the work that they do. If only they knew the half-assed mediocre work they actually do, and the families in need that they turn their backs on. If only their families knew that their hero is perfectly fine with the bare minimum if something were to happen to them, considering that is exactly what they do for the families that rely on them on a daily basis in their time of greatest need.
Another concern I have is the overall egocentric and childish behavior displayed by all of these people. For example, at least two detectives in charge of Morgan’s case had their heads so far up their own asses, that when their career moved them elsewhere, they closed Morgan’s case without notifying us, and we would never have known had we not been demanding updates. Who, in their right mind, does that to a grieving family seeking justice for a violent , evil situation that never should have happened in the first place? How can they go home and face their family while letting another suffer? In another example of how backwards all of this is, I was recently berated by a First Sergeant , and made out to be a failure of a Squad Leader because two of my guys had not informed me of issues going on in their personal lives that our Command wanted to be aware of; I’m a failure for not knowing something, which is a direct result of “improper communication” with the Marines serving under me, according to her, yet everyone that has failed to conduct a proper investigation into Morgan’s homicide has been promoted. I am disturbed to the very core of my being to see, firsthand, the greed, corruption and inhumanity of these people.
Morgan was very concerned that the military way of life would change me, and that I wouldn’t be the same person she fell in love with. Although I am aware I have changed, Morgan had nothing to worry about because she always kept me grounded. My motivation in everything I did was to be the best possible version of myself, for her. As my father described Morgan, “ she wasn’t just a fire in his life, she was a lightning bolt”. What has ultimately changed me, is the lack of compassion and humanity from those whose job it is to prevent this kind of evil from happening, and failure to seek out absolute justice when it does. We have been robbed of a lifetime of memories, happiness and life events with Morgan and all that Onslow County, NC wants is for us to stop asking questions, to the extent someone actually stated,” this was over three years ago, what does it matter?. Let that sink in. Someone actually saying that to a grieving family who has lost someone in the most horrifying way. It is all just as vile and criminal as Morgan being taken from us.
This is the weight that Steve, Renee and I carry while doing our best just to get through the day. If all of these people stayed true to their oaths and did their job from the beginning, we could be putting all of this time and effort into proper, healthy grieving and celebrating Morgan’s life in a way she would want us to; happily together, without this additional weight crushing us and distracting us from living in the moment. It is demoralizing an soul crushing to see how desensitized people have become to tragedies such as this. To watch people mentally write this off as “just one of those bad things that happens”, when it doesn’t directly affect them. The reality is, this could have been anyone. This could have been you or your loved one, and it happens more often than they want to admit because it’s easier for them to lie and sweep everything under the rug than it is for them to do their job.
My hope is that, through our fight, we can change that, and more importantly, save the lives of countless young women in and out of the military, and, at the very least, save another family from this very fight. Until then, I know we have a very long and exhausting road ahead of us, and we’ll get there together.

I believe every adult person on Earth has, at some point, for some reason, imagined their own death. Whether it be for estate planning purposes, contemplation of their life’s relevance or a simple daydream about what exists beyond mortal life, the thoughts occur, and are entirely normal. I have never met an adult human being who has considered what it would be like to lose a child, for the simple reason, that I believe, that it is unimaginable. Fortunately, very few ever experience such a tragic event. Even fewer experience the inconceivable reality of losing a child to violent crime. 
As parents who have been dealt this unfair hand, we can tell you with certainty that such an event does not end one life, but no less than three lives in one horrific moment. Days come and go. Weeks turn into months. Somehow, the calendar continues to turn. Year after year those outside of the epicenter of any such tragedy move on with their lives, and rightfully so. The parents of a child taken by violence have nowhere to go. Sleep is unrestful. Breathing is no longer an involuntary action and moments of joy are quickly interrupted by anxiety and guilt. Time does not heal all wounds.
The death of a child by violence is completely avoidable. This simple fact brings on unique challenges, and according to what we all know as a “system of justice”, very straightforward resolution. We are here to tell you that our system of justice is more fallacy than it is solace.
We are, and will continue to be supporters of military personnel and law enforcement. We have known many admirable men and women who embraced their roles of responsibility and served the general public with honor, humility and dignity. Unfortunately, none of those men and women have handled our daughter’s case. Those responsible for attaining justice in her case have displayed immense dereliction of their duties. Just like those who murdered our sweet girl, the investigators, elected and appointed prosecutors and active duty U.S. Marine Corps Officers creating the ensuing injustice have names. Those men and women, regardless of uniform and affiliation, need to be held accountable.
Confirmation bias in a major crimes investigation is never acceptable. The path of least resistance will never lead to truth and justice. It is a wrenching feeling to become aware that people we have always respected because of their oath and uniform; people we believed would be our strongest allies in our moment of great need and despair, could actually be so disinterested and lacking in empathy. These public servants range from lazy to incompetent, and in a few instances, corrupt! They failed to put themselves in our shoes, realize that these crimes could have happened to any young lady. It could have been their own sister, wife or even their daughter. Without conscience, they continually ignore our calls, our emails, our pleas and our daughter’s God given rights, distracted, instead, by an easy victory to add to their resume. All of this while we remind ourselves to breathe, wait endlessly to be treated with the simple dignity of a response to questions and concerns, all the while praying that this will not happen to another family. Another child.
This is not justice as any of us were taught to understand it. This is not justice by a jury of the accused’s peers. This is no justice at all for the one who needs it most. Her name is Morgan Renee Patten. She was abducted and killed by two enlisted members of the United States Marine Corps on November 8, 2019, at the age of 24. Morgan’s story needs to be told!

They want us to believe that it was all a tragic accident, an “ unfortunate dui fatality. They want us to believe that Morgan Patten had a lapse in judgement because she had too much to drink, which, in their words, happens all of the time in a military town. They want us to believe that Morgan walked away from her $20 tab at Applebees Grille and Bar after sharing with the bartender that she was staying in the hotel which shared a parking lot. They want us to believe that Morgan Patten utilized two Ubers, a bus, three planes and a ferry over thirteen hours in order to spend a weekend with her fiancé , yet hopped in a truck with two complete strangers 3 hours after arriving in Jacksonville, NC. They want us to believe that Morgan was enticed to leave Applebees with two strange drunk men because they offered to take her target shooting at 10:30pm, fifteen miles outside of town, on a dead end road in the middle of nowhere, with one lever action rifle and a handful of ammunition. They want us to believe that Morgan Patten was a willing participant in the ride which ended her life; traveling in excess of 90mph with no seatbelt on, pounding beers and having fun right up to the point when she ended up bleeding to death as a Jane Doe, face down in a ditch alongside White Oak River Road. They want us to believe that we didn’t know Morgan at all.

Who are they? They start with the piece of shit who was driving the truck that Morgan died in, Hunter Oneil Wells. He was interviewed at Naval Hospital by Trooper Taylor Stokes, after walking away from the horrific crash with “ scrapes and bruises”. Hunter Wells was interviewed after speaking to his wife, his Platoon Sergeant, Company Gunnery Sergeant, his cousin and a roommate. He is the one who told the story about “going shooting”, which explained why there was a gun found in the wreckage, and perhaps Trooper Stokes and all of the other Theys to follow, found the story as unbelievable as we do, but the story made the crime scene, and the crime, easy to sweep under the rug. Nothing to see here. The one witness who would refute the story is dead.

​They include Sgt. John Edwards of the NC Highway Patrol, who notified us that Morgan was the victim of an “unfortunate dui fatality”, spreading the lies told by Hunter Wells. Detective Jonathan Marshburn, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, who was assigned as lead detective in the criminal investigation as a rookie who spent more time and energy sending out his resume to State and Federal Agencies than he did trying to find out what actually happened on November 8, 2019. District Attorney Ernie Lee, Assistant District Attorney Caroline Fountain and Victim’s Advocate Lori Haga who all accepted the story as passed along to them and immediately concluded that the entire situation could be resolved and kept quiet if they believed Hunter Wells’ story, and convinced us that it was all true. But none of them knew Morgan Patten; NONE OF THEM LOVED MORGAN PATTEN!

Steven Patten
Jan 5, 2022, 7:55PM
to Andrew.Niebel, Todd.ferry, Robert.teller, ly.fecteau

Greetings General Niebel
Let me be brief. My daughter, Morgan Patten was killed in Onslow County on 8 November 2019, as a direct result of two Marine Corps Lance Corporals, Hunter Oneil Wells and Charles Edward Cornwall V. A criminal investigation into Morgan’s possible kidnapping remains open and active. Through a FOIA request, I recently received a redacted copy of the Line of Duty/Misconduct Investigation of Charles E. Cornwall ordered by Col. Ebitz on 25 November 2019, also approved by Col. Ebitz on 14 January 2020 (1534807011/5811 USMC).
I have communicated previously with current Bn. Commander, Col. Kyle Phillips and SJA Lt. Col. Michelle Over, and both have informed me that they cannot be of assistance.
I am requesting the Line of Duty/Misconduct Investigation of Charles E. Cornwall be reviewed and reopened, as I can provide irrefutable evidence that LCpl Cornwall was deceptive while providing Sworn Testimony to the Officer responsible for conducting said investigation. Please advise. Thank you and Semper Fi.
Steve Patten


Niebel BGen Andrew M
Jan 7, 2022, 11:39AM
to Tellez, me, Ferry, Fecteau

Mr Patten,

First and foremost, I am very sorry for your loss. As you are aware, words cannot adequately express condolence for the loss of a family member. Throughout my 30 years in service as a Marine, I have dealt with the loss of Marines, their family members, and friends of Marines. All are tragic.

You mentioned a previous discussion with Colonel Phillips and LtCol Over, both of whom I’ve contacted to discuss their interaction with you. I can tell you that both Marines are compassionate and conduct themselves professionally. As previously discussed, the line of duty investigation is not a criminal investigation- it is administrative in nature to determine potential disability compensation. It has been completed over two years ago and in the case of LCpl Cornwall is not something that the command is able to effect. LCpl Cornwall has been discharged from the Marine Corps.

I understand you have concerns about the line of duty investigation. However, having read the investigation, I will tell you that questioning the veracity of LCpl Cornwall’s statements has no bearing as to whether his injuries were sustained in the line of duty, which is the purpose of a line of duty investigation. If you believe that there was misconduct involved in other events that occurred on the evening of the accident, that is separate and distinct from determining whether LCpl Cornwall’s injuries occurred as a result of his own misconduct. Unless a service member’s misconduct was the proximate cause of his injuries, he/she will be found in the line of duty.

I believe that clarity is helpful. I am being as straightforward as I can be to alleviate any ambiguity.

Respectfully,

BGen Niebel


Steven Patten
Jan 7, 2022, 2:05 PM

to Niebel, Ferry, Tellez, Fecteau

General Niebel,

Thank you for your prompt response and your kind words. You are correct, clarity is helpful. I clearly understand your explanation of the Line of Duty Investigation, now allow me to clearly explain why I questioned its legitimacy.
The initial Order from Col. A.R. Ebitz, dated 25 Nov 2019, and all subsequent documents state the subject as “LINE OF DUTY/MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATION INTO THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE INJURIES SUSTAINED BY LANCE CORPORAL CHARLES E. CORNWALL V 1534807011/5811 USMC”. Furthermore, on the Suspects Rights/Acknowledgement Statement, item number (1) clearly states that LCpl Cornwall was being investigated for an Article 92 infraction, Under Age Drinking.
During the interview, LCpl Cornwall stated, “The hospital told me they did a blood test to see if I had alcohol in my system and they didn’t find any”. The records from Vidant Medical Center state that upon arrival, LCpl Cornwall’s blood alcohol content was .13. The records were included in the final Report, but apparently not checked against LCpl Cornwall’s Sworn Statement. A little bit of leg work would have revealed that he consumed 1 double shot of Jack Daniels, 1 single shot of Jack Daniels and 2) 20 ounce Sam Adams Oktoberfest beers within an hour and twenty minutes prior to the crash, which he purchased using a stolen Military ID card!
LCpl Cornwall also stated during the interview that he had been sitting in the front passenger seat, securely seatbelted at the time of the crash. The NCSHP Crash Report states that he had not been wearing a seatbelt and had been seated in the right REAR seat. Again, this document was included, but apparently not reviewed to substantiate.

Perhaps I AM wrong when questioning the purpose of the Line of Duty/Misconduct Investigation Report, but I am absolutely correct saying that the “Findings of Fact”

5. There is no evidence to suggest LCpl Cornwall consumed alcohol prior to the crash.
11. There is no evidence to suggest LCpl Cornwall was impaired in any capacity.
12. There is no evidence to suggest LCpl Cornwall was in an altered state of mind……..
15. LCpl Cornwall utilized all available Pesonal Protective Equipment available.

have no factual content whatsoever. LCpl Cornwall lied to the Investigating Officer and that Officer conducted a poor investigation.
Two years have passed, but what was wrong is still wrong. There must be a means of correcting this. It is my life’s mission, and that of my wife, to ensure LCpl Cornwall is convicted in civilian court, along with LCpl Hunter Wells for the kidnapping and eventual death of our only child. We will also go to extended lengths to be certain they are not able to enjoy the benefits of being a Marine throughout their miserable lives. That title is for honorable men and women!
Thank you, again.
​Steve Patten

​Interestingly, just a few days after posting “ Two Sad and Frustrating Years”, the Onslow County District Attorney’s Office contacted us with a proposed meeting date of December 1, 2021. Of course we jumped at the opportunity! Our NC attorney was present, as were our attorney here in NH and the investigator working for the Estate of Morgan Patten; yes, it still stings to write, speak or read those four words linked together. DA Ernie Lee, ADA Caroline Wahoff and Victim/Witness Advocate Lori Haga listened intently to our presentations of relevant facts and our pleas for further scrutiny for 2 hours and 16 minutes, and though our request to have Captain Mark Scott and Detective Matt Hipple present was not fulfilled, Sergeant John Edwards, NC Highway Patrol joined us. Our Team presented very well, and in review, we believed that the DA’s Office would come back to us with a solid plan for expansion of this investigation. After sharing the fruits of our investigative efforts with them, there was simply no other option. Eight days after this meeting, we received notice from ADA Wahoff that she would be pursuing three specific investigative efforts, which I would like to share with you all, but, because it was a private meeting and the investigation is ongoing, it is in Morgan’s best interest that it remain private. Of course we were all pleased with this news! Ms. Wahoff asked Renee and I to conduct a very specific task in order to expedite the proposed process and we promptly complied. Along with these efforts, we requested follow up by Ms. Wahoff, or better yet, Detective Hipple so that we may explain the relevance of our body of work. Two months have passed since that conveyance with no further communication from any Onslow County Officials. After four weeks, Renee and I made it a point to call Caroline Wahoff’s office and Lori Haga’s office at least twice per week seeking an update. We have not received a return call despite leaving polite pleading voicemails with each effort. It gets worse. Two weeks ago, I called Detective Matt Hipple to inquire about his progress and ensure that we were all on the same page. His response was, “I haven’t spoken to Caroline since May, 2021. This is the first I’ve heard about this”. He went on to inform me that he had no idea that Renee and I had been in Jacksonville for a meeting on December first! This is a good opportunity to share some of the other doors that have been slammed in our faces, starting with the United States Marine Corps. We have undeniable proof that Charles Cornwall lied to an Officer while providing sworn testimony during his Line of Duty/Misconduct Investigation. Other documents within the final Report clearly show Cornwall’s untruths, which were overlooked, perhaps ignored by those in his Command. I first shared this concern with Lt. Col. Michelle Over, Staff Judge Advocate, Marine Corps Installations East. Lt. Col. Over informed me that there was nothing she could do to help. The issue would have to be raised with Cornwall’s Command. She also stated that it has been over two years since the event occurred. I’m glad she reminded me of that fact! I then wrote Col. Kyle Phillips, Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Camp Lejeune. I requested that Cornwall’s investigation be reopened. Col. Phillips responded quickly, stating that there was nothing he could do to help, and, by the way, this happened over two years ago. Again, thank you. Br. General Andrew Niebel, Commanding Officer, Camp Lejeune was next on my list. After making the same request, I promptly received his response, “it has been completed over two years ago and in the case of LCpl Cornwall is not something that the command is able to effect. LCpl Cornwall has been discharged from the Marine Corps.” Am I the only one that sees the problem here? I know it was over two years ago. I know Cornwall has been discharged. The problem I am trying to point out is the Line of Duty/Misconduct investigation was “shoddy” at best, resulting in Cornwall being discharged with rank, benefits and disability compensation after being involved with killing my daughter. How f’ing hard is that to understand? It was wrong two years ago and ignoring it in perpetuity will never make it right! During this time frame, I also reached out to the Camp Lejeune Office of Naval Criminal Investigative Services. After speaking with a Special Agent, he said he would look into the case, but he had no records of their involvement. He said he would get back to me with any information. I’m still waiting. Now, for the civilian side. Many months ago, we shared Morgan’s story with our U.S. Senator’s offices and our U.S. Representative. We received a reply from a Senior Legislative Assistant with Senator Jeanne Shaheen and set up a meeting. After hearing more detail this gentleman contacted the Salem, NH office of the FBI and requested that an Agent contact us. After discussing the case with an Agent a few days later, we were told that there is likely no angle that would give FBI jurisdiction over this case because Morgan was not a minor, nor did the vehicle cross State boundaries. As a good will measure though, this Agent did type up a bulletin and sent it to the Charlotte, NC office. He also informed us that the FBI would jump on board with assistance at the request of Onslow County. Representative Annie Kuster’s office called us and stated that Morgan’s homicide is not a Federal matter so there is nothing they can do. Senator Maggie Hassan’s staff is apparently too busy to respond to us. We contacted the NC State Bureau of Investigations to learn that they will only get involved in a case when requested by another investigating agency or an elected official. We sent a letter to Governor Chris Sununu’s office and followed up with a phone call. Several days later we received a call back. We were informed that Morgan was killed in North Carolina, not New Hampshire; we would have to call Governor Roy Cooper. Just a few days later, Gov. Sununu directly contacted an out-of State Agency regarding the sad and traumatic case of a missing 7 year old girl from Manchester, NH. His office also ensured that every news agency had a copy of his communications. Someone obviously determined that Gov. Sununu could score some major political points by doing so. We sent a formal request to Governor Roy Cooper expressing our concerns over the DA’s Office in Onslow County and the lack of investigation into Morgan’s homicide. We requested in writing that he hand over jurisdiction to the NC State Bureau of Investigations and followed up with a phone call, as did several Morgan Patten supporters; thank you!! The response we received from Governor Cooper’s Office was, “homicide investigations fall outside of the jurisdiction of the Governor”. “I am sorry that there is no further action our office can take at this time.” I find this statement intriguing. The Governor of North Carolina appoints a Director for the State Bureau of Investigations, for a term of 8 years. The Director of the NC State Bureau of Investigations reports to the Governor. Hmmmm. Let me make a few things clear- We do not believe that Morgan’s homicide investigation has been hampered solely by incompetence. We believe that corruption is involved as well. We have no reason to believe the corruption in this case has traveled outside of Camp Lejeune and Onslow County. Morgan NEEDS an advocate in the NC Justice System! Morgan needs an advocate that has knowledge of the system, disdain for corruption and neither fear of, or profound loyalty to, anyone else. We will keep searching. We will not be deterred.