Richard Morales

Richard Morales was a young man known to family and friends for a ready smile and an outgoing nature. At 15, he was looking forward to entering 10th grade at Centennial High School in Oklahoma City. Those who knew him remembered him by the nickname "Lil Rich" and described him as goofy, loving and outspoken — the sort of teenager whose grin could lift a room.

When Richard died on July 8, 2012, his loss was felt immediately by family, classmates and neighbors. People gathered at the place he was remembered in the neighborhood and held a candlelight vigil to honor him and to share memories of his energy and presence. His older sister recalled how young he still was and how deeply the family was affected.

Public reporting from the days after his death records a community grieving the sudden loss of a child with ordinary plans and ordinary hopes: school, friends, family gatherings, and the small everyday moments that make up a life. While the public record focuses on the search for answers after his death, those who left remembrances emphasized Richard’s kindness, eagerness to help and the bright spirit he brought to those around him.

Richard’s life — short as it was — mattered to people who loved him. This page honors his memory by remembering the human details we can verify: a teenager from Oklahoma City, a Centennial High student, a brother and a boy whose smile and personality were often recalled at his memorials. Even when public records are limited, the care shown at vigils and the memories shared by family and friends testify that Richard was a young person who left a real and lasting impression on his community.