Ex-patient who had filed complaint charged in slaying of prominent chiropractor

PROVIDENCE -- Prosecutors say a 21-year-old Rhode Island man fatally stabbed a prominent former chiropractor who'd worked at two Olympic games.

Owen Morris appeared in district court in Providence Tuesday to face a first-degree murder charge. He did not enter a plea and was ordered held without bail.

Authorities say he killed 67-year-old Clive Bridgham, who had worked at the Rio and Salt Lake City Olympic Games. Bridgham was a sports medicine specialist who had practiced for over 30 years, and was director of a sports medicine clinic.

Bridgham's body was discovered Jan. 11 in his East Providence home.

Police won't comment on a motive, but they say Morris was a former patient who filed a complaint saying the chiropractor had violated professional boundaries.   

The complaint Morris filed with state licensing authorities resulted in Bridgham surrendering his license to practice on Nov. 1. Investigators sought records surrounding the surrender of Bridgham's chiropractic license the day after the killing, according to a search warrant obtained by CBS affiliate WPRI. Morris was arrested Monday.

Police released few specifics about their investigation on Tuesday, but they say they believe the killing was premeditated.

East Providence Police Chief Christopher Parella calls the crime "particularly brutal." He says Bridgham was found with multiple stab and cut wounds.

Morris's lawyer didn't comment on the charges after the hearing.