Brazilian authorities found Minnesota entrepreneur and businessman D’Wayne Morris dead in Rio de Janeiro on August 8 following what’s believed to be a “Goodnight Cinderella” robbery committed by two women.
According to CNN Brazil, Morris, 43, was found in the Copacabana apartment rental where he was vacationing. The authorities’ murder investigation claims two females drugged the Jamaican-American entrepreneur and his friend. The two men allegedly met women in Rio’s Lapa neighborhood hours before his death. Rio police believe the women intended to rob Morris and his friend.
CBS News reported that the authorities have arrested a 23-year-old with a criminal history of similar crimes in connection to Morris’ death. The Brazilian new outlet g1 named Letícia Clara Bento da Silva as the woman taken into custody. The latter source alleged Morris “convulsed and foamed at the mouth” before his passing and police being called. The outlet’s headline, translated into English, provided context for the women’s alleged scam. It read, “Police identify suspect of saying ‘Goodnight Cinderella’ and causing death of North American tourist in Copacabana.”
Rio authorities have reportedly asked the public for assistance in identifying the other woman suspected of involvement.
Who Was D’Wayne Morris?
Morris was a Jamaican-American living in the Twin Cities. His family included his longtime partner Tamatha Richman, her three children, and a child of his own. CBS News reported that Morris was the sole provider of his family unit. His company website notes he was the co-founder of Blue Waters Consulting and the Soul Community Development Corporation. In those roles, the site notes Morris managed “a $14 million portfolio of businesses” and provided “financial consulting.” Another detail noted that the departed coached high school basketball for 9 years. His love of travel was also mentioned.
Morris’ longtime love, Richman, has questions and concerns about his suspected murder in Brazil.
“It doesn’t make sense. D’Wayne was in the country less than 24 hours. He had not even spent the night in Brazil,” she told CBS News. “This is certainly a situation where D’Wayne was targeted, that these people were experienced, and they drugged D’Wayne, they robbed him, they left him for dead.”
The State Department updated a travel advisory to Brazil in October 2023. The country is considered a “Level 2” risk, which advises Americans to “exercise increased caution.”
“Violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, and carjacking, is common in urban areas, day and night,” notes the Brazil advisory. “Gang activity and organized crime is widespread. Assaults, including with sedatives and drugs placed in drinks, are common.”
