Former patient accused of killing local ex-chiropractor

January 23, 2018 2:07 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The man accused of murdering a once prominent local chiropractor faced a judge Tuesday.

Owen Morris, 21, of Warren, is charged with first-degree murder. He was arrested Monday afternoon. East Providence Police say the murder of Dr. Clive Bridgham was premeditated.

"It was particularly brutal," said Chief Christopher Parella in a press conference. Authorities found Bridgham dead inside his Pleasant Street home on January 11, after a woman he had a long-time relationship with asked police to perform a well-being check, according to Parella.

"Multiple stab wounds, cut wounds, just the nature of the evidence on the body indicates it was brutal," said Parella.

Police said Morris and Bridgham knew each other personally and professionally. Authorities tracked down Morris after searching complaints filed against Bridgham. Parella filed a complaint in 2016, according to Parella.

That Health Department document states Bridgham “violated the professional boundaries of the chiropractic physician-patient relationship.” Bridgham then surrendered his license in November 2017.

Authorities also investigated a complaint from 2003. At that time, Bridgham was put on probation for three years after a patient claimed he had sexual contact with them. Bridgham invited the patient to Newport Creamery and later to his home, according to the probation consent order. Bridgham was the patient’s family chiropractor and became close with that patient after their sibling died, according to the document.

Police have a motive in mind but would not elaborate. "We’re very confident in the arrest we made, but we’re not going to get into anything above and beyond that," Parella told reporters.

Morris is being held without bail. He is due back in court for a bail status hearing January 30.