Husband of Suzanne Morphew to appear in court to face murder charge a second time
Barry Morphew was arrested June 20 in Arizona after being newly indicted in the death of Suzanne Morphew, three years after the initial case against him was dropped because of prosecutorial issues with evidence.
Authorities announced Monday that he had arrived at the jail in the small southern Colorado city of Alamosa, not far from where Suzanne Morphew's skeletal remains were found off a dirt road in September 2023.
Her remains were discovered accidentally as authorities were searching for another missing woman a year after prosecutors dropped their initial prosecution of Morphew.
A 2024 autopsy report said Suzanne Morphew died of 'unspecified means' but ruled her death a homicide. While her remains showed no signs of trauma, investigators found in her bone marrow a drug cocktail used to tranquilize wildlife that her husband had a prescription for, according to the indictment.
Barry Morphew has maintained his innocence since his wife disappeared.
Two attorneys listed in court documents as representing Morphew at Tuesday's hearing, David Beller and Jane Fisher-Byrialsen, did not immediately return telephone or email messages seeking comment. Beller has previously criticized prosecutors for allowing 'their predetermined conclusion to lead their search for evidence.'
The mystery surrounding Suzanne Morphew began when the 49-year-old mother of two daughters, who lived near the small mountain community of Salida, Colorado, was reported missing on Mother's Day 2020.
Her mountain bike and helmet were found in separate spots not far from her home, but investigators suspected the bike was purposefully thrown into a ravine because there were no indications of a crash. A week after his wife went missing, Barry Morphew posted a video on Facebook pleading for her safe return and the case quickly drew attention.
In May 2021, prosecutors charged him with murder. They subsequently dropped the case in 2022 just as Morphew was about to stand trial.
A judge had barred prosecutors from calling key witnesses after the attorneys repeatedly failed to follow rules for turning over evidence in Morphew's favor.
The latest case is being prosecuted by a different prosecutor in a separate judicial district where Suzanne Morphew's remains were found, a rural area about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of the Morphews' home.
Investigators found at the site a port through which Suzanne Morphew could receive medicine to treat follicular lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that she had. They also found biking clothes similar to what she was known to wear.
Based on the condition of the remains and clothes, a forensic anthropologist theorized that the body likely decomposed elsewhere before being moved to the site, according to Morphew's new indictment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
City of OKC reminds residents of Fireworks Hotline
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The City of Oklahoma City is asking residents to keep 911 lines clear when reporting illegal fireworks on the 4th of July. According to City officials, residents should contact 911 if someone is injured by a firework or if fireworks cause a fire. 'Complaints about fireworks overload 911 phone lines and can keep people experiencing an emergency from quickly connecting with a dispatcher,' Fire Chief Richard Kelley said. Residents who know the address of the people launching fireworks can report the violation in the following ways: Call: Fireworks Hotline – (405) 297-2222 between June 27 – July 6 Email: Text: (405) 252-1053 The City says, it will follow up on complaints. Oklahoma City radio DJ retires after 26 years on KJ103 'Fireworks are a serious safety hazard to people and property and should be left to professional shows,' Chief Kelley said. City leaders say, it is illegal to buy, sell or use fireworks in the City of Oklahoma City which includes all private and public property, lakes and areas along the Oklahoma River. Violators could face a $500 fine, confiscation of fireworks and a possible jail sentence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Times
25 minutes ago
- New York Times
Lucy the Pig, a Celebrity on Staten Island, Can Stay at Home for Now
Last month, the New York City health department received an anonymous complaint that a farm animal was being kept as a pet in a Staten Island home. City inspectors' subsequent visit to the home created an uproar in the Tottenville neighborhood, where Michael and Loriann Gannone lived with the animal, a pygmy pig named Lucy whom they adopted from family friends in 2010. The department told the Gannones that Lucy would have to leave, since farm animals are illegal in New York City. Failure to comply would mean fines as high as $18,000, the family told The Staten Island Advance, which first reported the story. Neighbors and family friends created a social media hashtag, wrote petitions and recruited local lawmakers to help keep the pig with her family. Lucy is 14, on the older side for a pig, and her health is starting to flag, Mr. Gannone said. In a video on Instagram last week, Mr. Gannone appealed directly to Mayor Eric Adams for help while Ms. Gannone, sitting with Lucy on a couch, said she would 'sacrifice my everyday life' to take care of her pig, 'like everybody does for their children.' 'If you want to take my pig,' Ms. Gannone said tearfully, 'take me too.' On Monday, the city answered their pleas. Mr. Adams announced on social media that Lucy could stay with her family, and that the city would not take punitive action. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CNN
26 minutes ago
- CNN
75-year-old Cuban immigrant dies in ICE custody
A 75-year-old Cuban man who lived in the US for decades died while in ICE custody in South Florida. CNN's Boris Sanchez breaks down what happened and how the family is coping with his death.
