The main suspect in the carjacking and killing of a beloved New Orleans chef has died after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
Raymond Wells, 21, was tracked to Interstate 10 in Metairie inside the vehicle of Carl Morgan, the sous chef at the famed Brennan’s restaurant in the French Quarter.
Police said that Wells ambushed Morgan outside of the Abeona House Child Discovery Center on Tuesday evening, killing him and then making off with his car.
Morgan was picking up his two-year-old when Wells is alleged to have struck. Officials later discovered Wells inside Morgan’s vehicle saying he had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
Cops managed to secure an arrest warrant for one count of first-degree murder, but Wells succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Friday night, the Daily Mail has discovered.
A statement from authorities in the city said: ‘Raymond Wells was pronounced deceased by UMC on October 3, 2025 (1:06 am).
‘The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office will be performing a post-mortem examination.’
It remains unclear if someone shot Wells, or if he turned the gun on himself. Police said prior to his alleged run in with Morgan he was in the neighborhood opening fire at cars and attempting to steal to others.
Carl Morgan, 45, a sous chef at Brennan’s Restaurant in the French Quarter, was shot and killed while waiting to pick up his young son from daycare
Police said that Wells ambushed Morgan outside of the Abeona House Child Discovery Center
Morgan’s death has devastated his loved ones, who described him as a devoted father and a talented chef whose life revolved around his child.
His partner and the mother of his child, Lisa Marie Lienberger, told WDSU: ‘I just want people to remember Carl for how much he cared about everyone he interacted with.
‘He was a very loving person. A jolly, talkative, very funny, and silly person. Most of all, he loved food, and that was what we really bonded over.
‘I hope that he will be remembered for all of the skills he passed on to other people he worked with in the city.
‘We love him very much, and I will do my best to make sure he’s remembered in everything we do. I wish he was here.’
A statement from Brennans said: ‘On behalf of the Brennan’s restaurant family, we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support for our sous chef, Carl Morgan, and his family. Carl’s senseless and untimely death is heartbreaking.
‘Carl was a devoted father, loving partner, cherished son, and friend to all. His remarkable talent, positive energy, and immeasurable impact will be sorely missed at Brennan’s.
‘Our team is strong, yet we are grieving the loss of our friend and colleague. This weekend, many of us will be at the Brennan’s booth at the Fried Chicken Festival, honoring Carl by continuing the passion project he loved, with net proceeds benefiting his family. Hug your loved ones tighter, give grace, be nice, and live big like Carl.’
Morgan was picking up his 2-year-old when Wells is alleged to have struck he is seen here with his partner Lisa
A statement from his employer described him as a ‘devoted father, loving partner, cherished son, and friend to all’
Morgan’s death has devastated his loved ones, who described him as a devoted father and a talented chef whose life revolved around his child
The killing of Morgan was part of the city’s deadliest week since January, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry calling for the National Guard to be deployed.
Nine people, including Morgan, were murdered in New Orleans across nine neighborhoods last week, igniting concerns about local safety.
Landry has asked for up to 1,000 Louisiana National Guard troops to be activated in his state, which Donald Trump previously appeared receptive to.
The president has already sent the National Guard into cities including Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles and Washington DC.
He said in September: ‘Do we go to a place like New Orleans where we have a great governor, Jeff Landry, who wants us to come in and straighten out a very nice section of this country that’s become quite tough, quite bad?
‘So we’re going to be going to maybe Louisiana. You have New Orleans, which has a crime problem. We’ll straighten that out in about two weeks. It’ll take us two weeks.
‘Easier than DC.’