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In loving memory of
Morgan Aryn Bauer
04.13.1996 - 02.26.2016
Remembering and Missing Morgan
Morgan was missing for seven years...
“let my gardens speak for me when i am gone. let them speak in colored whispers of all the beauty i have seen. and felt. and lived. let them speak of how much death had to find me; how many hard seasons it took to make me a living, breathing thing. let them speak of my seasons of growth and abundance, but let them also tell of my seasons of loss and decay. let the soft, wet earth be a reminder of hardness that didn't win. of sadness that didn't calcify. of surrender that triumphed over resistance. and let the glorious, fragrant blooms speak of my life and its greatest lesson: that the beauty we make never dies.”
Emory Hall
My daughter, Morgan Aryn Bauer, was a beautiful and lively young woman who had big dreams of life outside of a small town. In February 2016, Morgan, just 19 years old, made the courageous decision to leave our hometown of Aberdeen, South Dakota, to start a new life in Atlanta, Georgia. She was excited about the future and eager to spread her wings in a bigger city. Morgan was known for her bright spirit, her kindness, and her love for life. She had a passion for art, singing, dancing, and connecting with amazing people. She wanted to embrace her independence and carve her own path. However, just two weeks after moving to the Atlanta area, Morgan disappeared. Her last known sighting was on February 26, 2016, after that day, she went silent, and our lives changed forever.
Rapidly, a group was created on Facebook in an effort to get Morgan's story out to the world. Since Morgan went missing in 2016, the "Missing Morgan" Facebook group has grown into a strong community of over 13,000 members. What began as a space to share updates and seek help for Morgan has since evolved into something much greater. This group has become a lifeline, not only for me and our family, but also for countless others. We’ve worked alongside families of other missing loved ones, providing resources, support, and amplifying their voices. Through the dedication of this community, we’ve helped raise awareness for numerous missing persons cases, creating a ripple effect of hope and love in action. Together, we continue to fight for justice and answers, ensuring that Morgan’s legacy extends far beyond our personal tragedy and touches the lives of those still searching for their missing family members.
For seven and a half long years, we searched for answers, hoping and praying for her safe return. In July 2023, we finally received the heartbreaking news that Morgan’s remains had been found in Porterdale, Georgia. Though we are grateful to know what happened to her, the grief of losing her is immeasurable. We are now focused on bringing her home to South Dakota and giving her the memorial she deserves.
The individuals responsible for Morgan's death were arrested in 2023, with one of them sentenced to life in prison without parole. The other is still moving through the court processes. While justice is being served in a legal sense, our journey toward healing continues. It is now just us. I believe Morgan’s story is one of resilience and courage, and though her life was tragically cut short, I want to ensure her memory lives on in a way that honors her bright spirit.
In honor of Morgan’s legacy and my personal gratitude, I am happy to offer my services in creating missing posters and answering any questions for families as they navigate this challenging road. I have gained a unique set of skills from this experience and am honored to help in any way. Please feel free to contact me. I also offer 5 minute mediations every Monday; here on my Playlist, on Youtube, in the Missing Morgan Facebook Group and my FB WWG page, featuring a different missing person each week. Please feel free to share any missing posters in her group as well. We are blessed to have members from across the globe.
Please follow the Missing Morgan Group for current updates, I have added helpful links below. A beautiful bench will also be placed at Kuhnert Arboretum in Aberdeen, SD. This bench has been donated by Lt. Randy Downs of the Porterdale Police Department. Morgan deeply touched his and countless lives. Thank you all for helping me honor Morgan in such meaningful ways. Please send any photos, videos, music or other items you'd like added. as well. Thank you for standing with me and for helping to ensure that Morgan is remembered with the love, dignity, and kindness she so deeply deserves.
With love and gratitude,
Sherri Keenan, Morgan's Mom
Www.MissingMorgan.Com
Remembering and Missing Morgan
The Remembering and Missing Morgan Memorial Fund was lovingly founded on August 10, 2023. All contributions are tax exempt with an account established at the Grow Financial Federal Credit Union.
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