Brazilian authorities have identified a woman as a suspect in the death of a Black entrepreneur from Minneapolis who became the unintentional victim of a tourist scam during a business and leisure visit to South America earlier this month.
Letícia Clara Bento da Silva, 23, was named by Brazil’s Civil Police as one of the defendants in the so-called “Good Night, Cinderella” operation that targeted the 43-year-old American traveler in Copacabana on Aug. 8. The scheme involved drugging the unsuspecting man and robbing him of his money and personal possessions.
The second suspect has not been publicly identified, but police have obtained surveillance footage showing photographs of her, according to local news reports.
The victim, D’Wayne Morris, served as the president and founder of Blue Waters Consulting and the Soul Community Development Corporation.
Police said the American traveler faced foul play inside a rented apartment on Rua Bulhões de Carvalho just one day after his arrival.
Authorities stated that he was lured by two attractive young women, who then drugged Morris and his companion in an attempted robbery.
Following the drugging, Morris reportedly experienced seizures and foaming at the mouth.
He was pronounced dead by the time officers arrived at the scene.
The condition of the surviving victim was not disclosed.
Da Silva and the unidentified accomplice befriended Morris in Lapa before he was betrayed, according to the Capital Homicide Police.
Authorities said Da Silva fled the area immediately, triggering an intensive search for her and the second suspect.
Estamos em busca de Letícia Clara Bento da Silva, 23 anos, envolvida na morte do turista D’wayne Antonio Morris, 43 anos, jamaicano com cidadania americana, encontrado morto em um apartamento em Copacabana em 09 de agosto. pic.twitter.com/fmj22ukzhE
— Disque Denúncia Rio (@DDalertaRio) August 19, 2024
Police disclosed that Da Silva had already faced suspicion in several drug-induced theft cases, but in the Morris case she was facing murder charges.
As investigators retraced Morris’s movements, they uncovered surveillance footage documenting his fatal encounter with the two suspects.
They did not release details about how he met the women or what conversations they may have had.
In a statement, the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro confirmed Morris’s death.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the family for their loss and stand ready to provide consular assistance,” the memo stated. “We are closely monitoring local authorities’ investigations regarding the cause of death. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.”
Morris, a father of one, was a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University and oversaw a $14 million business portfolio while also offering his expertise in financial consulting.
Before college, Morris attended Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, and he maintained deep connections with many people in his hometown.
Initially, friends and relatives were mystified by what happened to Morris, given that he had been in the country for less than 24 hours before he was found dead.
It took several days of investigation before police connected the women to Morris.
Back in Minneapolis, family and friends mourned, yet they found solace in cherishing the joyful memories they shared with Morris.
“He was a fun partner to have,” said Morris’s life partner, Tamatha Richman, to CBS News.
She noted that his warmth and charisma made people feel instantly connected, as if they were the most important person in his life whenever he interacted with them.
“He had a way about him that made everyone feel special, and in the week prior to his death, the number of people who told me they were D’Wayne’s best friend or even like a brother or sister to him, though not related by blood, really reflected how he showed up in his relationships,” Richman told CBS.
Whether he was teaching, coaching basketball, or working with a Minneapolis nonprofit, Morris poured his heart into every role he embraced, she added.
Four days after Morris’s death, Richman posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, expressing gratitude for the community’s support and updating followers on the difficulties involved in repatriating Morris’s remains.
Richman said she is organizing a celebration of life in Minnesota, while Morris will be laid to rest in Jamaica on his family’s cherished land. His family has launched a GoFundMe to help cover the costs, and they have raised about $30,000 so far.
“The Embassy and local authorities have informed us that this process may take some time, but we are committed to keeping everyone updated as we learn more,” she said.
