In the quiet community of Grand Island, Nebraska, the life of 23-year-old Hayes Morgheim, a White male, was tragically cut short in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 4, 2023. A kind and shy young man, he was known by his loved ones for his quirky sense of humor and deep devotion to his family. His final moments were a testament to his character, as he lost his life while standing up for another person.
The events that led to this tragedy began to unfold when Hayes connected with
23-year-old Emily Goodell. Their acquaintance was new, and on that fateful weekend, Emily had expressed that she felt unsafe with her husband, Rex Goodell. In an act of kindness, Hayes drove to Lincoln to bring her to the safety of his mother's home in Grand Island. It was a decision that would have unforeseen and devastating consequences.
In the pre-dawn hours of that Sunday, Rex Goodell, 26, arrived at the Morgheim residence on West Arizona Avenue. It is believed he may have tracked Emily's location. Outside the home, Rex Goodell shot Hayes Morgheim. He then forced his way into the house where he shot and killed his wife, Emily. As police arrived at the scene, Rex Goodell took his own life.
The investigation that followed confirmed that Rex Goodell was the sole suspect in the double murder-suicide. The Grand Island Police Department, along with the Hall County Attorney's Office, pieced together the timeline of the tragic events. In the aftermath, the community mourned the loss of two young lives, with Hayes Morgheim being remembered for his heroic actions in his final moments.
