Ronald Morton
UNSOLVED: Ronald Morton Beaten and Stabbed Inside Burning Amarillo Apartment
In the early morning hours of November 6, 1992, firefighters responded to a blaze at an upstairs apartment at 2400 S. Polk Street in Amarillo.
While searching the smoke-filled residence, they found 35-year-old Ronald Bob Morton lying on the kitchen floor.
After carrying Morton outside, emergency personnel discovered that he had been severely beaten and stabbed.
Investigators reported that Morton suffered nine stab wounds to his face, five to his upper torso and two to his neck, along with multiple defensive wounds to his hands.
Authorities recovered the suspected weapons from the apartment.
Fire investigators determined that someone had deliberately set Morton’s bed on fire, apparently hoping to destroy evidence and conceal the killing.
Despite the smoke and flames, firefighters also found Morton’s dog alive inside a cage.
Investigators reconstructed some of Morton’s final movements. He reportedly visited Ellwood Park at approximately 1:30 a.m. on the morning of his death. A neighbor later heard him arrive home and tell someone in a vehicle, “I’ll see you later.” Police have never publicly identified the person in that vehicle or established whether the encounter was connected to the murder.[1]
Because Morton lived in a relatively secure apartment complex, detectives have theorized that he may have willingly allowed his killer into the residence. Investigators recovered DNA and other evidence, but none of it produced a viable suspect in the publicly reported investigation.[2]
The case appeared to take a major turn in 1995 when 26-year-old Jeff Scott Rusak entered a South Texas police station and confessed to killing Morton. Rusak reportedly knew details beyond those generally available to the public and was arrested and charged. Further investigation, however, established that he was in California collecting a Social Security check when Morton was killed. Authorities determined that his confession was false and cleared him of the crime.[3]
Morton’s father died without learning who killed his son. His mother continued attending crime-victim vigils and waiting for answers, according to investigators interviewed in 2011.
No one has been convicted of Ronald Morton’s murder, and the case remains unsolved. Anyone with information can contact Amarillo Crime Stoppers at 806-374-4400.