Bryant (age 10), Alexis (age 8), and Johnathan (age 4) Morris were murdered by their father, Edward Morris, who also killed their pregnant mother Renee Lynn Morris. The murders were premeditated—Morris arranged a family trip to the Tillamook State Forest, where he shot Bryant and Johnathan, shot and stabbed Renee, then drove to a more secluded area and stabbed Alexis 18 times. He dumped the bodies in the woods, then attempted to flee the state, intending to go on a killing spree in Phoenix, AZ. After a two-week manhunt, Morris was captured and confessed. Renee homeschooled the children, and the Morrises were active in their local homeschooling group and at St. Johns Weslyan Church. Morris described his motive for the murders by saying “I haven’t been a very good provider lately.” Morris had recently suffered a business failure. In September 2004 Morris pleaded guilty to seven counts of aggravated murder, and in November 2004 he was sentenced to life without parole.

Date: December 21, 2003
Location: Tillamook State Forest, Oregon