Episode 147: The Murder of Michael McMorrow by the Baby-Faced Butchers

In 1997, 44-year-old realtor Michael “Irish” McMorrow was known for his easy laugh and love of Central Park. He was always the life of the party so it came as a shock to all when he was at the center of one of the most shocking crimes New York City has seen. It started when a 15-year-old girl, Daphne Abdela, had been reported missing only to be found moments later washing blood off with her boyfriend, 15-year-old Christopher Vasquez. At first, it sounded like a rollerblading accident. Later that same night, Daphne called officers back saying “There’s a body in the lake in Central Park.” Police went to the location she described and were able to locate the body of Michael McMorrow. But the scene was more gruesome and horrific than they had expected. Evidence gathered at the scene and both teen’s homes connected both of them directly to the murder, blood evidence, a knife and the discovery of McMorrow’s wallet in Daphne’s bedroom. But the case became complicated in court. Both teenagers, who became known as the Baby Faced Butchers, were both sentenced, but it felt far from justice to the McMorrow family. Today, a memorial bench in Central Park’s Strawberry Fields honors “Irish” McMorrow, remembering the man friends say was always laughing in the park he loved.