PORT ANGELES — Friends and family of a Port Angeles woman hope to return some Christmas cheer to a family devastated by both a death and a burglary.
Nikki Kovatch Morris, 30, was hit by a pair of devastating events last weekend.
Her fiancee, the father of her 1-year-old son, died when his car plunged 40 feet into a gravel pit shortly after 3 p.m.
Bryan Casey Hughes, 27, died shortly after he was discovered at the scene off Mount Pleasant Road, about a mile south of U.S. Highway 101.
The next day, Morris discovered that her home had been burglarized.
The tragedy is compounded by the timing, since Morris and Hughes were planning a birthday party for their 1-year-old son last Sunday, said Eric Kovatch, Morris’ father.
“She has great support from family and friends, emotionally and financially,” Kovatch said.
Morris was unavailable for comment Tuesday because she was making arrangements for Hughes’ funeral service. An obituary for Hughes appears today under “Obituaries” via the home page.
“There’s a Grinch out there someplace,” said Ron Cameron, Clallam County sheriff’s chief criminal deputy, on Tuesday.
Among the things missing were Nintendo Wii video games, movies, jewelry and wrapped gifts under the tree for Morris’ three children, ages 1, 7 and 9, Cameron said.
Included in the list of items missing is a set of Christmas pins given to Morris by her father, not of great monetary worth, but having great sentimental value to Morris, said Morris’ friend, Braedi Starks, in an email.
Of even greater value to Morris is a mystery item left by Hughes.
One of the items stolen was a sealed FedEx box containing the gift Hughes had purchased for Morris before his death.
“That was the last gift she would have gotten from him,” Starks said.
“The people who did it really have no soul.”
Friends have set up an account to help Morris replace the children’s stolen gifts and toys.
The account is at First Federal, 1603 E. First St., Port Angeles.
Also Morris’ employer, Family Medicine at 240-A W. Front St., is accepting donations on the family’s behalf.
After the news of her fiancee’s death, Morris stayed with family on Saturday and Sunday, Cameron said.
When she returned to her home Sunday evening, she discovered the burglary, Cameron said.
“They took a whole bunch of stuff, including Christmas presents,” he said.
Cameron said there is no indication that the burglars knew whose home they were breaking into.
The investigation continues, Cameron said.
Hughes’ service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Independent Bible Church at 116 E. Ahlvers Road in Port Angeles.
“To kick someone when they’re down is one thing, but to do it the day after his death and right before Christmas . . . ,” Starks said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
