Death, Sex & Money Her Boyfriend Was Killed in a Random NYC Attack. Right-Wing Trolls Mocked Her.
Oct 28, 2025
Claudia Morales, the girlfriend of progressive activist Ryan Carson, shares her harrowing experience of witnessing Ryan's 2023 murder in Brooklyn. She recounts her frantic attempts to save him and the shocking wave of online harassment she faced afterward. Claudia sheds light on how social media distorted their identities, mischaracterizing her and Ryan in the culture wars. She reflects on their deep connection formed through music and activism, and discusses the unexpected grief rituals created by their community. Her story highlights the painful intersection of personal loss and public scrutiny.
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Weaponized Tweets And False Claims
- Online users weaponized Ryan's past tweets to portray him as anti-police and claim Claudia obstructed investigators.
- Both claims were false: Claudia cooperated and the suspect was arrested, pled guilty, and received 20 years to life.
How Tragedy Becomes Political Narrative
- Claudia says tabloids and online commentators flattened the event into a political narrative and spread disinformation.
- She emphasizes basic facts were true but the story was sensationalized and distorted to fit culture-war frames.
People Are More Than Their Politics
- Ryan's activism was part of his life but not his whole identity; friends remember him for community, music, and humble public-interest work.
- Flattening him to a single political caricature erased the richer, human details of his life.
