On August 26, 2016, two young Oklahoma City mothers—Emily Morgan, 23, and Totinika Elix, 24—were lured to a vacant house in McAlester, Oklahoma. After dropping their children off with a trusted adult, the women drove to the remote property, where they were later found shot to death inside Morgan’s car.
Families left searching for answers
Both women left behind children. Morgan, a Rose State College student, had a young son. Elix, a John Marshall High School graduate with nursing aspirations, was a mother of two. Their aunt, Carmen Harvie, who has become an advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous people, expressed the deep frustration of families still waiting for justice.
“There hasn’t been any justice for their murders,” Harvie said. “It’s frustrating to not have that justice and the closure to move forward.”
Investigative details and theories
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed the case remains open, but no arrests have been made. Investigators have not publicly disclosed why the women were at the vacant house, who the shooter was, or what motive drove the crime.
Amanda Davis of the nonprofit Oklahoma Cold Cases offered possible context. She suggested Morgan may have been approached by a “friend” who promised a large sum of money after the father of Morgan’s child was incarcerated. Davis added that Morgan was believed to be involved in drug transport and was attempting to leave that life.
“I think Emily was. And Ty was literally just along for the ride. And it’s really unfortunate,” Davis said, referring to the women’s friend.
According to Davis, the women stopped for food at a McDonald’s before heading to the vacant house, and were still eating when the tragedy occurred.
Last words and lingering hope
Witnesses recall Morgan’s final words to her son: “If anything happens to me, Grammy will take care of you,” indicating her mother would look after the child.
Family members and community advocates continue to press law enforcement for answers, hoping that renewed attention might finally bring closure to the grieving families.
Community response
The case has drawn attention from local nonprofits and community groups focused on cold cases and violence against women. While the investigation stalls, the families remain steadfast in their call for justice, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
