Meghan’s Mother Reportedly Helped FBI Identify Thomas Markle Sr.
Doria Ragland reportedly helped FBI investigators identify her ex-husband Thomas Markle Sr. in photographs from a child abuse material probe. He was arrested in Florida on November 6, denies the allegations and was released under electronic monitoring.
Meghan Markle’s mom helped FBI investigators identify her former husband, Thomas Markle Sr., in photographs found during a child sexual abuse material investigation, according to reports published November 8. Neither federal authorities nor Ragland have confirmed the claim publicly.
The reports say Doria Ragland, 70, a former social worker, assisted before Thomas Markle Sr.’s arrest in Florida on Friday, November 6. He has denied the allegations.
What the reports say
A British newspaper reported on November 7 that Ragland offered to help investigators. It said she was shown redacted versions of two photographs recovered in searches in California.
The pictures reportedly showed a man suspected of being Markle Sr., and Ragland helped confirm it. The same report said the images dated from when he was in his 30s or 40s.
The FBI’s publicly released affidavit says a witness identified the man in the photographs. It does not name that witness as Ragland.
Ragland is also willing to help authorities if needed, according to the reports.
The federal case
Markle Sr., 82, was arrested at the Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland, Florida. He faces one federal charge of possessing child sexual abuse material, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Prosecutors have suggested more charges could follow.
The U.S. Department of Justice said FBI agents searched two storage units linked to him in the Los Angeles area. Searches took place on October 30 and November 4, according to reports.
Investigators reportedly recovered about 78 items, including film negatives, slides and books. Federal authorities say the units had been rented in his name since 2008, with recent payments made automatically.
He appeared in court on Friday. A judge released him back to the dementia care facility on condition that he has no contact with minors and is electronically monitored.
Family and responses
Ragland and Markle Sr. married in 1979 and divorced in 1987. Meghan was born in 1981. Markle Sr. also has a daughter, Samantha, and a son, Thomas Markle Jr., from his first marriage.
The case began with earlier allegations about material in the Philippines. Markle Jr. turned his father in to authorities. “When I found this material, I was horrified, and I had no option but to report my dad,” he previously told a British newspaper.
Meghan, 45, said she was “deeply disturbed” and that the allegations led to the estrangement between her and her father. Before the arrest she said her “thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.” A source quoted in a Sunday newspaper report said she would help investigators: “Absolutely she will. She would very much like to.”
Markle Sr. rejected the claims in an interview with a British tabloid. “It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick,” he said. “I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.”
