Friends and workmates have paid tribute following the death of a young Irish woman in a suspected murder-suicide incident in New York city in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Police were called to the Queens home of 39-year-old Denise Morgan, after a neighbour called 911 claiming to have heard gunshots, following an argument.
Police from the nearby 104th Precinct, which serves much of Western Queens, discovered the bodies of a woman and a man shortly afterwards. Having both suffered gunshot wounds, they were pronounced dead at the scene by the emergency services.
A recently discharged firearm was located next to the man by investigating officers.
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Ms Morgan, originally from the village of Tullyallen, Co Louth had lived in New York city for some years, and worked in the bar business. She is survived by a daughter (9).
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Staff and patrons at her former workplace, Bar 43, a bar and restaurant located on 43rd Street, in the Queens neighbourhood of Sunnyside, were in disbelief at Ms Morgan’s death. Having started out as a waitress at the popular hostelry, she eventually tended bar there and remained a valued member of staff for some years.
Stephen Porter from Dublin, who worked alongside Ms Morgan at Bar 43, said: “It’s just so sad. She was such a popular girl. When we worked together, she was the type of girl who would always step in and help out, when anyone needed something. She’d never see anyone stuck. It’s really wobbled all of us. Everyone’s just numb. We’ll be hugging our kids a little tighter tonight.”
The atmosphere in Ms Morgan’s immediate neighborhood was subdued following the shooting. Glendale, a narrow neighbourhood somewhat sandwiched between a number of cemeteries, is bordered by affluent areas such as Kew Gardens and Forest Hills. While it appears in some parts to be leafy and suburban, it is just a half hour’s drive from Manhattan’s midtown.
Made up mostly of working- and middle-class people from a wide variety of nationalities, Glendale is, according to some of its citizens, unused to such tragedy.
One man said: “You don’t see that around here. I’m shocked. It’s such a quiet place. I’m so sorry to hear of this, it could have been anyone. God bless her and her family.”
Another woman, who lived just blocks from Ms Morgan and who gave her name as Rosa, said it was “Tragic. So sad. My heart breaks for that poor girl and her family.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs has said that it is aware of the case, and will be offering consular assistance.
Among the posts online paying tribute to Ms Morgan was one from her sister, Shannon. She wrote: “No words can express the pain we are dealing with. In the blink of an eyelid, our world is broken and we are absolutely crushed. My brilliant sister has been taken from my life by such a heinous cowardly act. We will never get justice for this. We are absolutely heartbroken. She was the kindest, sweetest soul I know.”
A representative for Ms Morgan’s most recent employers, The Cottage Bar, a restaurant in Forest Hills posted: “The sudden loss of Denise Morgan has left us all in shock and sorrow. Her warmth, kindness, and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. We will always appreciate the person she was.”
Police are not believed to be seeking any other suspects in connection with the incident.