GREENFILED — Detectives with the Greenfield Police Department are making headway in their investigation into the death of Haley Ann Morrow.
Chief Jeff Rasche indicated his detectives are considering the likelihood her death was linked to drugs, but he stressed the investigation is not complete. Detectives also now know the identities of the people who dropped off the young woman at Hancock Regional Hospital Nov. 21. The three people have been identified as another girl and two boys who all fled before anyone could talk with them. Police have interviewed two of them.
“We want the community to know we are very focused on this case,” Rasche said.
Morrow, 18, was unresponsive as hospital personnel began treatment, and she was pronounced dead shortly after she arrived, officials said. Morrow, who formerly attended Greenfield-Central High School, was living in Tennessee but was in Greenfield visiting relatives and friends, a family member said.
Investigators are awaiting toxicology reports to determine the cause of the death.
“That will take anywhere from 10 days to two weeks to get those results,” Rasche said.
Coroner David Stillinger said he has asked the state lab to expedite those results. He noted that while it’s too soon to determine the cause of death, an autopsy did not show anything suspicious.
Rasche said investigators are now focused on the third person who was with Morrow, a juvenile male who they believe may have supplied her with drugs. That person may have left the state, the chief said.
Detectives are building their case thanks to the two other witnesses who have stepped forward.
Capt. Michael Schwamberger is leading the investigation for the department and said their goal now is to speak to the juvenile.
“It’s still a very fluid, active investigation,” Schwamberger said. “We have information he may have left the state, but we’re not sure.”
Rasche said detectives are determined to hold accountable anyone who played a role in Morrow’s death.
“It’s realistic to say that, and that is our goal,” Rasche said. “We just don’t know what she died of yet.”
Schwamberger acknowledged the investigation may or may not indicate a crime occurred. That will be determined by officials from the prosecutor’s office.
“There may have not been intent there, but maybe some recklessness involved with this, and that verbiage is included in a lot of laws,” Schwamberger said.
Witnesses have told detectives Morrow consumed drugs shortly before she died, but they indicated they didn’t think she had taken enough to cause an overdose or death.
“Our investigators know who it was who either sold her or gave her the drugs,” Rasche said. “It certainly looks like this is drug-related based on preliminary treatment at the hospital, but we’ll have to wait and see. It could be something different.”
Rasche noted drug addiction is a terrible sickness and said the county is well equipped to help addicts who step forward and seek help.
Anyone knowing any information about the incident is asked to contact officials at the GPD at 317-325-1204.
