In the spring of 2025, the life of Susan Kay Morse, a 74-year-old woman, was tragically cut short in what police have described as an act of domestic violence. On the afternoon of April 16th, authorities in Phoenix, Arizona, received a distressing 911 call that led them to a home near 15th Avenue and McDowell Road. The caller, later identified as Susan's 51-year-old son, Aaron Morse, allegedly informed the dispatcher that he had just killed his mother.
Upon their arrival at the
residence, officers discovered Susan on the floor, suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency services transported her to a local hospital, but her injuries proved to be fatal. Investigators at the scene reported observing blood on Aaron Morse's hands and shoes. When questioned about the events leading up to the 911 call, he simply stated they had been 'arguing.' Following the incident, Aaron Morse was taken into custody and is facing a homicide charge. He was later booked into the Maricopa County Jail.
Neighbors in the historic Phoenix community were left in shock and sorrow by the news of Susan's death. She was remembered as a talented and creative individual, an internationally known Raku artist who, along with her late husband, had a passion for her craft. Friends and neighbors recalled her love for cooking and entertaining, describing her as a unique and artistic soul. Her husband had passed away about a year prior to her death, after which her son, Aaron, had moved in with her. While the community knew little about the dynamics of their relationship, they remembered Susan as a vibrant presence who enjoyed neighborhood gatherings and playing dominoes. The tragic event has left those who knew her to grapple with the loss of a beloved member of their community, cherishing the pieces of her art she had gifted them as a lasting memory of her spirit.
