'She'd Light Up Any Room': Friends Remember Slain Montco Teen

ABINGTON, PA — Friends of the Montgomery County teenager who was found dead Monday at the Meadowbrook Train Station remember her as a strong and loving young woman who "lit up any room she walked into."

Morgan McCaffrey, 18, was stabbed more than 30 times by her 18-year-old ex-boyfriend Gilbert Newton III, police said.

Morgan, a recent graduate of Nazareth Academy High School, planned on attending Manor College in the fall.

"Anyone who knew Morgan knew how strong, courageous, independent, and loving she was," classmate and friend Isabella Kalai rote in a GoFundMe campaign launched Tueday. "She would light up any room she walked into and had the most beautiful personality. She was always taking care of everyone and spreading her love."

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Since the campaign was launched Tuesday, more than $53,000 had been raised by some 1,400 donors.

"This is an unimaginable time for Morgan's family and friends," she added. "We are blown away by the amount of support for Morgan's family."

Morgan cared deeply for her community and in her final days, worked to help fight coronavirus. As the pandemic began, Morgan organized care packages for nurses at Abington Hospital.

"Morgan was a light to those whom she encountered," Nazareth Academy shared. "It was not uncommon for Morgan to put others first."

The sentiment a echoed by Jennifer Peters, an admissions counselor at Manor College who grew up with Morgan.

"She was a bright and beautiful person on the inside and out," she shared through the college. "Morgan was the type of girl who would give you the shirt off of her back, or be your shoulder to cry on. She had an incredibly infectious smile that you couldn’t help but smile back."

Morgan had been in a year-long relationship with Newton, which she ended about a month ago. During the course of the relationship, Newton had been abusive, and the pair would frequently argue, according to a criminal complaint.

In the weeks leading up to Monday, Newton frequently contacted and threatened Morgan, to the point where she called one of her friends over to her house because she was concerned for her safety, the complaint states. Newton was attempting to rekindle the relationship and repeatedly told her he was going to change, police said.

Though she had moved on in her life, she agreed to meet Newton early Monday morning at the Meadowbrook Train Station to discuss their relationship. By around 8:30 a.m., those who were closest to her were concerned when she did not answer her phone.

When police arrived they found Morgan's body on the ground next to her car, which was still running. She had been stabbed more than 30 times, the coroner determined.

Two large, bloodstained Ginsu kitchen knives were found in the vicinity, police said.

By around 10 a.m., Newton's mother called 911. She told police Newton had come home covered in blood and said that he had "hurt his girlfriend," according to the criminal complaint.

Newton was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility on first and third degree murder charges. No bail is available for those charges. A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 4.

A memorial to Morgan a placed at Nazareth Academy, from which she graduated this past spring. The memorial included flowers and large photos from her senior year.

Nazareth Academy said that counselors are available for students on campus to support anyone struggling.

To donate to the GoFundMe campaign and to support Morgan's family, see here.