Edward Maurice Morris Jr., a 21-year-old male from Youngstown, Ohio, tragically passed away on November 7, 2018. He was employed as a packer at the Belmont Confection Company and was known for his love of music, video games, basketball, and the Golden State Warriors. Edward is survived by his father, stepmother, mother, stepfather, two children, five brothers, three sisters, and numerous other family members and friends.
Edward's death was part of a triple homicide that also claimed the
lives of his girlfriend, 19-year-old Valarcia Blair, and their three-month-old son, Tariq Morris. The victims were found in a car on the city's south side. The investigation revealed that Edward had arranged to meet with Shaiquon Sharpe and Taquashon Ray, who were later charged with the murders. Edward had allegedly shot a man during a drug deal months earlier, and the victim had put a price on his head.
The case took months to piece together, with police receiving tips placing both Sharpe and Ray at the scene. When police first interviewed Ray, he claimed to have gone to the scene to buy drugs but fled when he heard gunfire. DNA evidence linked Sharpe to a shell casing at the murder scene, and both men were indicted on multiple counts, including aggravated murder.
The tragic loss of Edward Maurice Morris Jr., Valarcia Blair, and their son has left a lasting impact on their family and the community. The investigation and subsequent trials have brought some measure of justice, but the pain of their absence remains.
