Lorraine Estrada interview

Thursday, August 1, 2024 – 3:41 p.m.

Based on information from the victim's husband, Russell Moran, Detectives Armstrong and Murphy went to Gordon's Pharmacy to talk to Lorraine Estrada, Kelly Moran's pharmacist and friend.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed Dr. Estrada at Gordon's Pharmacy, 456 Bramlett Boulevard.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Lorraine Estrada

Detective Armstrong: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Mrs. Estrada.

Lorraine Estrada: Yes, of course. Anything I can do. Kelly was my best friend.

Detective Murphy: Could you state your name, just for the record, ma'am?

Lorraine Estrada: Dr. Lorraine Estrada

Detective Murphy: And where do you live, ma'am?

Lorraine Estrada: I live at 128 Leighton Road.

Detective Armstrong: Can you tell us where you were last night?

Lorraine Estrada: Do you think I—

Detective Armstrong: Just routine, ma'am. We're asking everybody.

Lorraine Estrada: Oh, yes, of course. I was here taking inventory until about 11:00 p.m.

Detective Armstrong: Was anybody with you?

Lorraine Estrada: The store was open until 9:00 p.m., so there were people around until then. After that, it was just me. That's why it took me until 11:00 p.m.

Detective Armstrong: And after 11:00 p.m.?

Lorraine Estrada: I locked up and went home and went straight to bed. And before you ask, nobody saw me then either. My husband was already asleep in his own room. He snores.

Detective Murphy: And when was the last time you saw Mrs. Moran?

Lorraine Estrada: Last night? No, the night before. She came in to refill her prescription.

Detective Murphy: Did she seem anxious or upset?

Lorraine Estrada: About what?

Detective Armstrong: About anything.

Lorraine Estrada: No, she was the same as always.

Detective Armstrong: Did Mrs. Moran have trouble with anybody?

Lorraine Estrada: What do you mean? I heard it was a burglar.

Detective Armstrong: Yes, ma'am, it could've been, but we have to follow up on all the possibilities.

Lorraine Estrada: I've heard some gossip about Karen West, but I'm sure that's all it is: gossip.

Detective Armstrong: What sort of gossip, ma'am?

Lorraine Estrada: Well, Kelly used to call her the poor little rich girl. You know, the woman has everything: a beautiful house, plenty of money, her husband's a big success, but she's always moping around. I think Kelly felt sorry for her. Maybe Karen resented that.

Detective Armstrong: Did she ever say so?

Lorraine Estrada: No, no, nothing like that. It's just gossip, like I said.

Detective Armstrong: What about Mrs. Moran's husband?

Lorraine Estrada: No, they got along fine. They scarcely saw each other. It's the recipe for a perfect marriage.

Detective Murphy: Did you and Mrs. Moran get along?

Lorraine Estrada: Kelly and I were best friends. I'd only known her for maybe five years, but it seemed like we'd known each other all our lives.

Detective Murphy: How's that, ma'am?

Lorraine Estrada: Kelly and I were kindred spirits. We both wanted more out of life. She felt stifled in this small town, and so did I. I always wanted to be a singer, you know.

Detective Armstrong: What did Mrs. Moran want to be?

Lorraine Estrada: I'm not sure she knew herself, but it wasn't an Oxford, Mississippi, housewife.

Detective Murphy: We found a prescription for Percocet in Mrs. Moran's home. Do you know why she was taking that?

Lorraine Estrada: I'm not sure I'm comfortable discussing patient—

Detective Murphy: Mrs. Estrada, this a murder investigation. Mrs. Moran is past being hurt by any breach of confidentiality.

Lorraine Estrada: Yes, well, I suppose not.

Detective Murphy: What was her complaint?

Lorraine Estrada: She was in constant back pain. She'd been in an auto accident a few years back.

Detective Armstrong: Was the Percocet working for her?

Lorraine Estrada: It worked the best. I don't think anything was 100% effective. Of course, after a while, you develop a tolerance.

Detective Armstrong: Do you think it possible that Mrs. Moran might have accidentally taken an overdose if the meds started to prove ineffective?

Lorraine Estrada: I suppose it's possible.

Detective Murphy: Mrs. Estrada, do you think it's possible that Mrs. Moran might have had a problem with the drugs?

Lorraine Estrada: Problem?

Detective Murphy: Do you think she might have had a dependency, an addiction?

Lorraine Estrada: I don't think it's right for you to insinuate such a thing. Kelly was a fine woman.

Detective Murphy: Yes, ma'am. But it's not unheard of. We mean no disrespect. We're just trying to get a fuller picture—

Lorraine Estrada: Who told you this?

Detective Armstrong: Nobody has made any—

Lorraine Estrada: Was it David? It was David, wasn't it?

Detective Armstrong: Who's David, ma'am?

Lorraine Estrada: My husband. He never liked Kelly, never. I could never figure out why. I think he was jealous of the time the two of us spent together. Can you imagine that? A grown man, jealous.

Detective Murphy: You yourself said she was discontented, under stress. Isn't it possible she might have turned to the drugs for escape—

Lorraine Estrada: No. It's a terrible thing to say. Kelly was a good person. David doesn't know what he's talking about. He doesn't have any formal medical training. Did you know that? The type of job he's got, he sees addicts behind every bush.

Detective Armstrong: Yes, ma'am. I hope we didn't upset you.

Lorraine Estrada: No, no, I'm all right.

Detective Murphy: Do you happen to recall when you were last in Mrs. Moran's home?

Lorraine Estrada: Oh, I'm not sure. She had us over all the time. I guess it was last weekend?

Detective Murphy: What was the occasion?

Lorraine Estrada: No occasion, really. Kelly just likes to entertain.

Detective Murphy: Who all was there?

Lorraine Estrada: The usual crowd: me and David; Karen and her husband, Michael; Trish and Warren Lee; Nicolette and James Cuthbert. And Russell, too, of course.

Detective Murphy: Did anything unusual happen that night? Any disturbances or disagreements?

Lorraine Estrada: No. Why would you think that?

Detective Armstrong: How often would you say you all got together at the Morans?

Lorraine Estrada: You mean like for a party?

Detective Armstrong: Sure.

Lorraine Estrada: Maybe a few times a month with our husbands.

Detective Armstrong: And without the men?

Lorraine Estrada: I'm not sure. Maybe a couple times a week? We always met at Kelly's before we went out or sometimes for drinks after work.

Detective Armstrong: One last thing, ma'am. If this were your investigation, what would your next step be?

Lorraine Estrada: Well, I really don't know.

Detective Armstrong: We're not asking for any accusations. Consider it as a kind of thought experiment.

Lorraine Estrada: Well, I can't get the idea of a burglar out of my head. It's kind of frightening. I'd be looking for people who do that sort of thing. Don't you people have a mug file or something?

Detective Armstrong: Thank you, ma'am. I think that's all we have right now. We may want to see you again as things progress.

Lorraine Estrada: Yes, fine. I hope I was of some help.

Interview ended – 4:07 p.m.