The Sinister Influence: Tausha Morton’s Ex and the Husband Convinced to Murder
In the seemingly peaceful town of Ammon, Idaho, the death of Tausha Morton sent shockwaves through the community. On November 15, 2018, the 34-year-old mother of five was found dead in her home from what her husband, Benjamin Morton, claimed was a self-inflicted shotgun wound. But as investigators peeled back the layers of this tragedy, a darker narrative emerged—one involving manipulation, jealousy, and an ex-boyfriend whose influence allegedly pushed Ben over the edge into murder.
Tausha, described by friends as vibrant and loving, had built a life centered around her blended family. Married to Ben since 2016, she juggled parenting her four children from a previous relationship and their young daughter together. Unbeknownst to many, tensions simmered beneath the surface, fueled by financial strain and whispers of Tausha’s past relationship with an ex-boyfriend, whose toxic hold reportedly extended into her present. This article delves into the facts, the forensic evidence, and the trial that exposed how an ex’s plot may have convinced a desperate husband to commit the unthinkable.
The case highlights the devastating impact of manipulation in domestic violence, reminding us of the silent struggles many victims endure. Through meticulous investigation and courtroom revelations, justice was sought for Tausha, whose life was cut short in a web of deceit.
Background: Tausha’s Life and Early Relationships
Tausha Morton, born Tausha Rae Crosland, grew up in Idaho’s close-knit communities. A dedicated mother from a young age, she had four children with her first husband before their divorce. Friends remembered her as outgoing, with a laugh that lit up rooms and a fierce protectiveness over her kids. In 2016, she met Benjamin “Ben” Morton, a 36-year-old at the time, through mutual circles. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage and the birth of their daughter, Etta, in 2017.
By all outward appearances, the Mortons were a typical family in Ammon, a suburb of Idaho Falls. Ben worked odd jobs, while Tausha focused on homemaking and part-time work. However, cracks began to show. The couple faced mounting debts—credit card bills, car loans, and medical expenses for the children. Ben later admitted to an affair, adding strain to the marriage.
Enter the ex-boyfriend: Prior to Ben, Tausha had a tumultuous relationship with a man named Michael (name withheld in some records for privacy), a figure from her past who reemerged via social media and phone calls. Court documents later revealed Michael’s persistent contact, filled with jealousy over Tausha’s new life. Prosecutors argued his manipulative texts and calls sowed seeds of doubt in Ben’s mind, convincing him that Tausha was unfaithful and that eliminating her would solve their problems—accessing life insurance payouts and custody arrangements.
The Toxic Triangle: Manipulation and Mounting Pressures
According to trial testimony, Michael’s influence was insidious. He allegedly fed Ben stories of Tausha’s supposed infidelities and financial sabotage, preying on Ben’s insecurities. Phone records showed dozens of calls between Ben and Michael in the weeks leading up to the murder. Ben, drowning in paranoia and debt, reportedly confided in Michael about his frustrations.
Financial records painted a grim picture: The Mortons had over $100,000 in debt, including a $250,000 life insurance policy on Tausha that Ben had recently increased. Michael, living out of state, stood to gain nothing directly but seemed driven by obsession, convincing Ben that murder framed as suicide was “the only way out.”
- October 2018: Ben searches online for “how to stage a suicide” and “shotgun wounds.”
- Early November: Increased calls to Michael, discussing “ending it all.”
- November 14: Argument between Tausha and Ben over money; Michael texts Ben, “She doesn’t deserve you.”
These details, uncovered by digital forensics, underscored the psychological plot at play, where an ex’s vendetta convinced a vulnerable husband to act.
The Night of the Murder
November 15, 2018, began ordinarily. Tausha dropped the children at school and ran errands. Ben was home, claiming he napped while she handled chores. Around 5 p.m., the children returned home with a babysitter. Ben later said Tausha seemed “off,” citing depression.
At 7:20 p.m., Ben called 911: “My wife shot herself… with the shotgun… she’s not breathing.” First responders arrived to find Tausha partially nude on the living room floor, a 12-gauge shotgun across her legs, a single wound to her chest. But red flags abounded: blood smears on walls leading to the bathroom sink, her bra twisted around her neck like a garrote, and no suicide note.
Ben appeared oddly composed, even asking about life insurance before paramedics loaded Tausha. The children, traumatized, were shielded from the scene.
Autopsy Revelations
The Bonneville County Coroner’s examination shattered the suicide narrative:
- Blunt force trauma to the head—multiple blows causing skull fractures.
- Ligature marks on neck consistent with strangulation attempt using her bra.
- Shotgun wound post-mortem; gunpowder residue absent on her hands, present on Ben’s clothing.
- No defensive wounds, indicating she was unconscious when shot.
Toxicology showed no drugs or alcohol that would explain suicidal intent. Time of death estimated at 6:30 p.m., before Ben’s 911 call.
The Investigation Unravels the Plot
Detectives from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office moved swiftly. Ben’s story crumbled under scrutiny. Blood evidence showed Tausha was dragged from the kitchen to the living room. The shotgun, borrowed from Tausha’s father days earlier for “protection,” had been cleaned—fresh scratches on the trigger guard mismatched suicide mechanics.
Cell phone analysis was damning: Ben’s device pinged near the crime scene throughout the evening. Michael’s communications surfaced, including a post-murder text: “Did you do it? Call me.”
Ben was arrested November 17. Interrogations yielded partial confessions; he admitted arguing with Tausha but blamed her “instability.” Searches of his browser history revealed queries like “can strangulation cause death” and “life insurance after suicide.”
Michael was questioned but not charged, lacking direct evidence of conspiracy. Prosecutors focused on Ben as the perpetrator, swayed by the ex’s influence.
The Trial: Justice for Tausha
Benjamin Morton’s trial began in March 2022 in Bonneville County District Court. Prosecutor Wendy Thomas laid out a methodical case, emphasizing forensic mismatches and motive.
Key Testimonies
- Tausha’s sister: Described her as happy, not suicidal; recent talks of divorce.
- Forensic expert: Gunshot trajectory impossible for self-infliction—barrel too long for chest shot.
- Digital analyst: Timeline of calls with Michael, showing encouragement.
- Ben’s coworker: Noted his obsession with debt relief via insurance.
Defense argued diminished capacity due to manipulation and stress, portraying Ben as a victim of Michael’s plot. But the jury, after three days of deliberation, convicted him of first-degree murder on March 25, 2022.
Sentencing and Aftermath
Judge Bruce Pickett sentenced Ben to life without parole in April 2022. Impact statements from Tausha’s family were heartrending: Her children, now scattered among relatives, spoke of missing their mother’s warmth. “Tausha was our rock,” one sibling said.
The case prompted community discussions on domestic abuse signs and online manipulation. Michael’s role remains a footnote, but it underscores how ex-partners can catalyze tragedy indirectly.
Today, Ammon honors Tausha through victim advocacy groups, ensuring her story educates on hidden dangers in relationships.
Conclusion
The murder of Tausha Morton was not a spontaneous act but the culmination of jealousy, debt, and pernicious influence from an ex who convinced her husband that death was the solution. Forensic science and persistent investigation exposed the truth, delivering justice for Tausha and her children. Yet, no verdict can restore a mother’s embrace or erase the scars on a family. Tausha’s story serves as a stark warning: Manipulation thrives in silence, but truth, pursued relentlessly, prevails. Her legacy endures in the lives she touched and the awareness she inspires.
Got thoughts? Drop them below!
For more articles visit us at https://dyerbolical.com.
Join the discussion on X at
https://x.com/dyerbolicaldb
https://x.com/retromoviesdb
https://x.com/ashyslasheedb
Follow all our pages via our X list at
https://x.com/i/lists/1645435624403468289