Latest news with #ColoradoBureauofInvestigation
San Francisco Chronicle
30-06-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Husband of Suzanne Morphew back in Colorado to face murder charge for a second time
DENVER (AP) — The husband of a woman whose remains were discovered over three years after she was reported missing on Mother's Day 2020 has arrived in Colorado to face a first-degree murder charge in her death for a second time. Barry Morphew was being held in the small city of Alamosa on Monday, 12th Judicial District Attorney Anne E. Kelly said in a statement. 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. He waived his right to challenge his extradition and has been waiting to be transported from a jail in Phoenix to Colorado. Morphew is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Colorado in the new case on Tuesday afternoon, Kelly said. 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, and his attorney David Beller blasted the new indictment. 'Yet again, the government allows their predetermined conclusion to lead their search for evidence,' Beller said in a statement last week. 'Barry maintains his innocence. The case has not changed, and the outcome will not either.' The first case was dropped in 2022 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 dropped the case the following year 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 judge allowed prosecutors the option of filing charges against Morphew later. Barry Morphew had filed a $15 million lawsuit against county officials, accusing them of violating his constitutional rights. His lawyers also filed a complaint asking that the prosecutors be disciplined for allegedly intentionally withholding evidence. The district attorney who prosecuted him the first time, Linda Stanley, was later ordered disbarred by regulators who found she mismanaged the case and made unethical comments to the media about it and other cases. Suzanne Morphew's body was not found until September 2023, when Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents stumbled upon her skeletal remains in a shallow grave during an unrelated search near the small southern Colorado town of Moffat, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of the Morphews' home. The majority of Suzanne Morphew's bones were recovered and many were significantly bleached, according to the indictment. 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, the indictment said, before being moved to the site. Investigators linked Barry Morphew to wildlife sedative Toxicology testing revealed that three drugs found in a sedative used for wildlife called 'BAM' were in her bone marrow. The coroner's office determined the cause of death was 'homicide by unspecified means' through intoxication of the three drugs, butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine. Barry Morphew obtained and filled several prescriptions for BAM while living in Indiana, shortly before the Morphews moved to Colorado in 2018. He was a deer farmer in Indiana and allegedly told investigators he used BAM to tranquilize deer in Indiana and Colorado, according to the indictment. In the area surrounding their home, no private citizens or businesses, only Colorado Parks and Wildlife and National Park Service officials, had obtained BAM between 2017 and 2020, records show. No government officials reported missing BAM supplies. 'The prescription records show that when Suzanne Morphew disappeared, only one private citizen living in that entire area of the state had access to BAM: Barry Morphew,' the indictment concluded.
Hamilton Spectator
30-06-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Husband of Suzanne Morphew back in Colorado to face murder charge for a second time
DENVER (AP) — The husband of a woman whose remains were discovered over three years after she was reported missing on Mother's Day 2020 has arrived in Colorado to face a first-degree murder charge in her death for a second time. Barry Morphew was being held in the small city of Alamosa on Monday, 12th Judicial District Attorney Anne E. Kelly said in a statement. 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. He waived his right to challenge his extradition and has been waiting to be transported from a jail in Phoenix to Colorado. Morphew is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Colorado in the new case on Tuesday afternoon, Kelly said. 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, and his attorney David Beller blasted the new indictment. 'Yet again, the government allows their predetermined conclusion to lead their search for evidence,' Beller said in a statement last week. 'Barry maintains his innocence. The case has not changed, and the outcome will not either.' The first case was dropped in 2022 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 dropped the case the following year 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 judge allowed prosecutors the option of filing charges against Morphew later. Barry Morphew had filed a $15 million lawsuit against county officials, accusing them of violating his constitutional rights. His lawyers also filed a complaint asking that the prosecutors be disciplined for allegedly intentionally withholding evidence. The district attorney who prosecuted him the first time, Linda Stanley, was later ordered disbarred by regulators who found she mismanaged the case and made unethical comments to the media about it and other cases. Suzanne Morphew's body was not found until September 2023, when Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents stumbled upon her skeletal remains in a shallow grave during an unrelated search near the small southern Colorado town of Moffat, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of the Morphews' home. The majority of Suzanne Morphew's bones were recovered and many were significantly bleached, according to the indictment. 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, the indictment said, before being moved to the site. Investigators linked Barry Morphew to wildlife sedative Toxicology testing revealed that three drugs found in a sedative used for wildlife called 'BAM' were in her bone marrow. The coroner's office determined the cause of death was 'homicide by unspecified means' through intoxication of the three drugs, butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine. Barry Morphew obtained and filled several prescriptions for BAM while living in Indiana, shortly before the Morphews moved to Colorado in 2018. He was a deer farmer in Indiana and allegedly told investigators he used BAM to tranquilize deer in Indiana and Colorado, according to the indictment. In the area surrounding their home, no private citizens or businesses, only Colorado Parks and Wildlife and National Park Service officials, had obtained BAM between 2017 and 2020, records show. No government officials reported missing BAM supplies. 'The prescription records show that when Suzanne Morphew disappeared, only one private citizen living in that entire area of the state had access to BAM: Barry Morphew,' the indictment concluded. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Husband of Suzanne Morphew back in Colorado to face murder charge for a second time
DENVER (AP) — The husband of a woman whose remains were discovered over three years after she was reported missing on Mother's Day 2020 has arrived in Colorado to face a first-degree murder charge in her death for a second time. Barry Morphew was being held in the small city of Alamosa on Monday, 12th Judicial District Attorney Anne E. Kelly said in a statement. 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. He waived his right to challenge his extradition and has been waiting to be transported from a jail in Phoenix to Colorado. Morphew is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Colorado in the new case on Tuesday afternoon, Kelly said. 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, and his attorney David Beller blasted the new indictment. 'Yet again, the government allows their predetermined conclusion to lead their search for evidence,' Beller said in a statement last week. 'Barry maintains his innocence. The case has not changed, and the outcome will not either.' The first case was dropped in 2022 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 dropped the case the following year 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 judge allowed prosecutors the option of filing charges against Morphew later. Barry Morphew had filed a $15 million lawsuit against county officials, accusing them of violating his constitutional rights. His lawyers also filed a complaint asking that the prosecutors be disciplined for allegedly intentionally withholding evidence. The district attorney who prosecuted him the first time, Linda Stanley, was later ordered disbarred by regulators who found she mismanaged the case and made unethical comments to the media about it and other cases. Suzanne Morphew's body was not found until September 2023, when Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents stumbled upon her skeletal remains in a shallow grave during an unrelated search near the small southern Colorado town of Moffat, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of the Morphews' home. The majority of Suzanne Morphew's bones were recovered and many were significantly bleached, according to the indictment. 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, the indictment said, before being moved to the site. Investigators linked Barry Morphew to wildlife sedative Toxicology testing revealed that three drugs found in a sedative used for wildlife called 'BAM' were in her bone marrow. The coroner's office determined the cause of death was 'homicide by unspecified means' through intoxication of the three drugs, butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine. Barry Morphew obtained and filled several prescriptions for BAM while living in Indiana, shortly before the Morphews moved to Colorado in 2018. He was a deer farmer in Indiana and allegedly told investigators he used BAM to tranquilize deer in Indiana and Colorado, according to the indictment. In the area surrounding their home, no private citizens or businesses, only Colorado Parks and Wildlife and National Park Service officials, had obtained BAM between 2017 and 2020, records show. No government officials reported missing BAM supplies. 'The prescription records show that when Suzanne Morphew disappeared, only one private citizen living in that entire area of the state had access to BAM: Barry Morphew,' the indictment concluded.
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
Barry Morphew to be extradited to Colorado for new murder case in death of wife Suzanne Morphew
Barry Morphew to be extradited to Colorado for new murder case in death of wife Suzanne Morphew Barry Morphew to be extradited to Colorado for new murder case in death of wife Suzanne Morphew Barry Morphew to be extradited to Colorado for new murder case in death of wife Suzanne Morphew Barry Morphew, who's now accused for the second time of killing his wife Suzanne, will be extradited to Colorado from Arizona, court records show. Last week, the 12th Judicial District Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Barry Morphew with first-degree murder of his wife. He was taken into custody in Gilbert, Arizona, on Friday. On Tuesday, court officials in Arizona said he waived his right to an extradition hearing. It's not yet clear when he'll be extradited to Colorado for his new case. Barry Morphew was the prime suspect in his wife's death after she went missing in 2020. A June 20, 2025 booking photo of Barry Morphew in Arizona. Maricopa County Suzanne Morphew was reportedly last seen on May 10, 2020 -- Mother's Day. Her husband was arrested on May 5, 2021, for the first time, on charges of murder after deliberation, tampering with physical evidence, and attempting to influence a public servant. In April 2022, a judge dismissed the case against him. Suzanne's remains were located during the course of a search in Moffat on Sept. 22, 2023, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Her death was determined to be a homicide of "undetermined means," and "BAM" or the combination of Butorphanol, Azaperone, and Medetomidine -- drugs typically used as tranquilizers or sedatives for wildlife -- were detected in her remains. Information in the new grand jury indictment delves into the evidence that prosecutors say they have against Barry Morphew. In his new case, Barry Morphew will remain in custody in Arizona until he's transferred to Colorado, where he's been given a $3 million bond. Additional court records regarding future hearings were not yet available on Tuesday.
Winnipeg Free Press
20-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Husband of Colorado woman whose remains were found after 3-year search re-arrested on murder charge
DENVER (AP) — The husband of a Colorado woman, Suzanne Morphew, whose remains were discovered over three years after she was reported missing on Mother's Day 2020, was arrested again Friday on suspicion of first-degree murder, authorities said. Barry Morphew was arrested Friday in Arizona after a Colorado grand jury returned an indictment. He was first arrested in the death of his wife in May of 2021 on suspicion of first-degree murder, tampering with a human body and other offenses. But prosecutors dropped their case against him the following year just as he was about to stand trial. A judge barred prosecutors from calling key witnesses for repeatedly failing to follow rules for turning over evidence in Barry Morphew's favor. That included DNA from an unknown male found in Suzanne Morphew's SUV. At the time, prosecutors said they wanted more time to find her body. Barry Morphew has repeatedly maintained his innocence and previously filed a $15 million lawsuit against county officials, accusing them of violating his constitutional rights. The mystery surrounding Suzanne Morphew began on May 10, 2020 when the 49-year-old mother of two daughters, who lived near the small town of Salida, was reported missing on Mother's Day. Suzanne Morphew's mountain bike and helmet were soon found in separate spots not far from her home but investigators suspected the bike had been purposefully thrown down into a ravine because there was no indications of a crash. A week after she went missing, Barry Morphew posted a video on Facebook pleading for her safe return. 'No questions asked, however much they want, I will do whatever it takes to get you back,' he said. When he was charged, the arrest affidavit laying out investigators' case against him said his wife insisted on leaving him. He later changed his statements as evidence in the case developed. Morphew, an avid hunter, did not initially tell investigators that he went out of his way as he left for work on Mother's Day, driving toward the place where his wife's bicycle helmet was eventually found. Later, he said he went that way because he had seen an elk cross the road, according to his arrest affidavit. After prosecutors dropped the charges against him, Barry Morphew's lawyers announced they had filed a complaint asking that the prosecutors be disciplined for allegedly intentionally withholding evidence in the case. Barry Morphew also filed a $15 million lawsuit against prosecutors and investigators, accusing them of violating his constitutional rights. However, the initial charges against Morphew were dismissed without prejudice, leaving the door open should prosecutors later decide to pursue a case against him again. That happened after Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents stumbled upon Suzanne Morphew's skeletal remains in a shallow grave during an unrelated search near the small southern Colorado town of Moffat in September 2023, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Barry and Suzanne Morphew's home. An autopsy report released in April 2024 said Morphew's death was a homicide but said she died of 'undetermined means.' A cocktail of drugs that are used to tranquilize wildlife was found in one of her bones but there was no indication of trauma, the report said. A tranquilizer gun and accessories were found in the Morphews' home, according to investigators.
