A Neighbor Had Seen Thomas Earlier That Evening

The woman across the street, Diane Collins, told police she had seen Thomas around 6 p.m.

He had carried grocery bags from his car.

They waved at each other.

Nothing seemed unusual.

Diane said Rebecca arrived home approximately twenty minutes later.

Emily returned around 7.

Caleb was already home.

At approximately 8:15, Diane saw lights on throughout the downstairs.

The family appeared to be having dinner.

Then, sometime before 10 p.m., the police arrived.

Diane hadn’t seen anyone leave.

The Doorbell Camera Created an Even Bigger Problem

The Morgans had a camera above the front door.

Police reviewed the footage.

6:13 p.m.

Thomas entered.

6:24.

Rebecca entered.

6:58.

Emily entered.

Nobody else came through the front door.

Nobody left.

The camera remained online the entire evening.

At 8:41 p.m., something unusual happened.

Emily appeared briefly at the front window.

She pulled the curtain aside.

Looked outside.

Then closed it again.

Thirty seconds later, she appeared again.

This time she stared toward the street for almost ten seconds.

Police zoomed in.

Her expression seemed concerned.

Investigators Checked the Street Cameras

Several neighboring homes had security cameras.

Most captured only driveways and portions of the road.

At approximately 8:39 p.m., one camera recorded a dark SUV slowly passing the Morgan home.

The vehicle continued down the street.

Two minutes later, it passed again.

Then a third time.

Nobody could clearly see the license plate.

The vehicle eventually disappeared from view.

Investigators immediately wondered whether Emily had been watching it.