← Back to United States casesMorgan Bauer Disappearance Involving Caitlyn Gobel and Alex Warren, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Case Summary
Morgan Bauer, a 19-year-old woman from Aberdeen, South Dakota, moved to Atlanta in February 2016 seeking a fresh start. After struggling with housing and employment, she worked as an exotic dancer. On February 25, 2016, after her final shift, she left with Caitlyn Gobel (aka Lilith Chaos) and Gobel's boyfriend Alex Warren. Morgan was last seen getting into a green Mitsubishi at a gas station. Morgan disappeared and was reported missing by her mother. In 2023, Caitlyn Gobel confessed to her husband and police that she and Alex Warren murdered Morgan. They strangled her, mutilated her body over several days, and disposed of her remains by burning and dissolving them on Warren's family property. Alex Warren pled guilty and was sentenced to life without parole in January 2024. Caitlyn Gobel was found guilty in August 2026 and sentenced to life without parole. The case involved manipulation, coercion, and extreme violence against a vulnerable young woman.
Basic Information
Country: United States
State/Province: Georgia, United States
City/Region: Atlanta
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Ex-partners
Relationship Duration:
Incident Date: Feb. 25, 2016
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Met on social media
Relationship Stages:
- Dating
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Domestic Conflict
- Mental instability
- Family pressure
- Suspicion of infidelity
Red Flags:
- Secretive communication patterns
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Manipulative behavior
- Threats
- Stalking / Repeated Harassment
- Divorce Pending / Recent Separation
Motives:
- Revenge
- Jealousy
- Control/domination
- Eliminate romantic partner
Relationship Outcomes:
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Deadbody recovery
People Link Graph
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Met on social media
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Ex-partners
Stages
- Dating
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Secretive communication patterns
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Manipulative behavior
- Threats
- Stalking / Repeated Harassment
- Divorce Pending / Recent Separation
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Domestic Conflict
- Mental instability
- Family pressure
- Suspicion of infidelity
- Revenge
- Jealousy
- Control/domination
- Eliminate romantic partner
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Incident
2016-02-25
Outcome
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Deadbody recovery
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
Sources
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Morgan Bauer Disappearance Involving Caitlyn Gobel and Alex Warren, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
That Chapter - England · Original language: English
View original title
The Disturbing Morgan Bauer Affair
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Jealousy
Pattern Analysis
The case involves a young woman, Morgan Bauer, who was vulnerable after moving to a new city and was manipulated by Caitlyn Gobel and Alex Warren. The relationship dynamics included jealousy, control, and coercion, culminating in the murder and mutilation of Morgan. The perpetrators exploited Morgan's naivety and isolation, leading to a violent and prolonged abuse pattern.
Investigative Notes
Morgan Bauer was reported missing by her mother after weeks of no contact. Police investigations were initially hampered by lack of leads. In 2023, Caitlyn Gobel's confession led to search warrants and discovery of remains. Both suspects were arrested and charged with multiple counts including malice murder and felony murder. Alex Warren pled guilty in 2024; Caitlyn Gobel was convicted in 2026. The case highlights the importance of following up on last known contacts and digital evidence.
Investigation Confusion
Initial police investigations faced uncertainty due to conflicting accounts from last known contacts and lack of physical evidence. The suspects' stories changed over time, and the timeline of Morgan's last movements was unclear until the confession years later.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
Morgan moved to Atlanta and struggled with housing and employment. She met Caitlyn Gobel and Alex Warren through dancing circles. On February 25, 2016, Morgan left with them and was last seen entering a car at a gas station. Caitlyn and Alex lured Morgan to their residence, where Alex strangled her. Over several days, they mutilated and sexually abused her corpse. Caitlyn assisted in dismembering and disposing of the body. The remains were hidden on Warren's family property until discovered in 2023 following Caitlyn's confession.
Risk Assessment
High risk due to manipulation, coercive control, and escalating violence by the suspects against a vulnerable victim isolated from support networks.
Key Takeaways
Vulnerable individuals moving to new environments may be at risk of exploitation and violence. Early disappearance reports and digital tracking are critical. Manipulative partners can orchestrate prolonged abuse and concealment. Confessions and witness cooperation can be pivotal even years later.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
Morgan's sudden disappearance, her isolation in a new city, and her association with Caitlyn Gobel and Alex Warren were early signals of risk.
Which clues helped connect the case?
Last sightings with Caitlyn and Alex, phone location pings near their residence, and Caitlyn's later confession were key clues.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
Digital evidence including phone pings, social media activity, physical remains found on Warren's property, and confession statements were strongest.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
Sherry Keenan reported Morgan missing and spoke with Lilith Chaos (Caitlyn Gobel), who was cooperative but whose story changed. David Settles, Caitlyn's husband, reported her confession. Police interviews with Caitlyn provided detailed accounts of the murder and disposal.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
The case remained unsolved for years until Caitlyn Gobel's 2023 confession led to arrests and discovery of remains, significantly advancing the investigation.
What remained unclear?
Exact motives and full details of the murder timeline remain partially unclear. The role of other potential third parties was not reported.