FBI probing background of man killed in explosion
Officials will burn the rest of his building
BEAVER DAM – The man killed in an explosion in his apartment earlier this month was a 28-year-old technician at a local food company who had a background in chemistry.
Benjamin D. Morrow was identified through DNA analysis as the man who died in the March 5 explosion at Village Glen Apartments’ Building 109.
Officials have said they have no “known link to terrorism,” but the investigation continues. The FBI is in charge of it; the agency on Wednesday asked that anyone with information call the FBI tip line at (800) 225-5324 and dial 3.
Explosive material was found in Morrow’s apartment, and officials assume he was making bombs that accidentally exploded and killed him, according to sources who are not authorized to speak on the record because it is an ongoing investigation.
Federal agents are investigating Morrow’s history and possible connections with other people and groups, the sources said.
A native of Black Creek, Morrow had worked at Richelieu Foods in Beaver Dam for 10 months before his death, according to an obituary and his LinkedIn page. Morrow previously worked as a scientist at PPD Inc. in Madison, a research company specializing in drug development, from 2014 until last year.
He went to Pensacola Christian College in Florida, graduating in 2013 with a degree in pre-pharmacy and minors in chemistry and math. He was homeschooled before that and belonged to Victory Baptist Church in Appleton.
Morrow was described as a hard worker who enjoyed reading history, hiking and weightlifting, according to his obituary. His parents and sisters did not return calls for comment Wednesday.
Morrow’s death is a puzzle to all who knew him, said the Rev. Jerry Marsden. Marsden will preside at Morrow’s funeral service Thursday in Madison.
“I’d love to defend Ben because he has been described as a bomb maker, and he’s not a bomb maker,” Marsden said. “He wasn’t a recluse as some have said he is. He was far from that.”
The Beaver Dam Police Department identified Morrow with DNA by working in cooperation with the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory in Madison, according to a news release.
Officials are planning to take the unusual step on Thursday of burning down the 16-unit apartment building where the explosion occurred.
The presence of dangerous chemicals on site make it unsafe to try to salvage the building, officials said, citing the risk of another explosion or chemical exposure to workers.
They have not publicly disclosed what chemicals were in apartment 11 where Morrow lived, only describing them as “extremely volatile and unstable
Donations to help residents
Donations to help displaced residents of building 109 can be made at all Dodge County Horicon Bank locations. The account is under Dodge County COAD/Beaver Dam Apartments. Nonmonetary donations should go to St. Vincent DePaul or American National Bank. Officials asked that items not be dropped at the Village Glen Apartments. The Beaver Dam Professional Firefighters Charities is hosting a fundraiser for the residents Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at the Tower Lanes Bowling alley in Beaver Dam.
explosives.”
During the burn, nearby streets will be closed, neighbors evacuated and more than 20 fire departments on hand.
Air quality in the area will be monitored through Friday.