Who murdered 46 year old Eddie Morgan in 1994? In the early morning hours of May 29, 1994, a beloved and familiar figure in his Northeast Portland neighborhood, 46-year-old Eddie Morgan, a Caucasian male, was senselessly killed. Morgan, who was mildly mentally challenged from birth, was a cherished local personality, affectionately known as the "Mayor of 42nd Avenue" and "The Weatherman" by residents and business owners alike.
He was known for his harmless and friendly nature, often seen walking the streets at all hours, greeting everyone he passed. He had no criminal history and no record of drug or alcohol abuse.
Around 4 a.m., the sound of multiple gunshots pierced the quiet on the corner of Northeast 42nd Avenue and Alberta Street. A neighbor, alerted by the noise, looked outside to see Morgan standing by a bus bench, clutching it with both hands before collapsing to the sidewalk. Another neighbor rushed to his aid and attempted CPR, but his efforts were in vain; Eddie Morgan was already dead. The shooting was a shocking act of violence against a man who was considered a friend to everyone in the community.
The murder left the neighborhood devastated and searching for answers. There was no apparent motive for the killing, and investigators believe it was a random act of violence. It is likely that Morgan’s final act was simply greeting the occupants of a dark-colored vehicle that was seen leaving the area shortly after the shooting. Inside the car were more than one person. Despite the passage of time, no arrests have ever been made in connection with Eddie Morgan's murder, and his case remains an unsolved homicide. Law enforcement officials believe that there are people with knowledge of the crime who have not come forward. In the wake of his death, the community mourned their loss with a spontaneous candlelight vigil attended by hundreds, including the mayor and police chief. A plaque was placed in his memory at the site of his death, a lasting reminder of the gentle man whose life was tragically cut short.
