Barry Morphew made his first court appearance Tuesday in Colorado after being re-arrested in connection to the murder of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, whose disappearance on Mother’s Day 2020 sparked national attention. Suzanne’s remains were discovered last year in Saguache County — three years after she vanished from Chaffee County.
Morphew, dressed in a jail-issued orange-and-white jumpsuit and handcuffed, appeared in Alamosa County Court, where he waived his right to be advised of his legal rights. He did not speak during the brief hearing. One of his daughters blew him a kiss, and he responded with a smile — a striking gesture amid serious allegations.
He was arrested on June 20 in Arizona and extradited to Colorado this week. His bond remains at $3 million, though that could change before his next court date in early September.
A Case Once Dismissed, Now Reopened
This new case comes more than a year after prosecutors dropped the original charges in 2022 due to issues with evidence. That earlier case was led by former 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley, who has since been disbarred.
The case is now being prosecuted by Twelfth District Attorney Anne Kelly. Defense attorneys David Beller and Jane Fisher-Byrialsen, who represented Morphew previously, appeared in court and said they expect to continue doing so, as the public defender’s office has a conflict of interest.
The defense team has already challenged the probable cause in the case. Prosecutors said they’re ready to move forward.
Suzanne Morphew’s Remains and Cause of Death
Suzanne’s skeletal remains were found in 2023 — a discovery made by chance during a search for another missing woman. Her 2024 autopsy ruled the death a homicide by unspecified means. Though her bones showed no signs of trauma, investigators found a tranquilizer in her bone marrow — a drug Barry Morphew allegedly had a prescription for to sedate wildlife.
Timeline and Background
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May 2020: Suzanne, 49, was reported missing. Her bike and helmet were found in a ravine near their Salida home, but investigators suspected they had been deliberately placed.
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May 2021: Barry Morphew was charged with her murder.
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April 2022: Charges were dropped due to prosecutorial issues.
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September 2023: Suzanne’s remains were found off a rural road in Saguache County.
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June 2024: Morphew is indicted again and arrested in Arizona.
A forensic anthropologist noted that Suzanne’s body likely decomposed elsewhere before being moved to the remote site where it was eventually found. At the scene, authorities also found biking clothes and a medical port for her cancer treatment, suggesting the remains belonged to her well before forensic confirmation.
Barry Morphew’s Current Status
According to jail records, Morphew is self-employed and now resides in Noblesville, Indiana. He previously sold the family’s $1.6 million home in Colorado in 2021. Throughout the investigation, he has consistently maintained his innocence.
A new hearing is scheduled for September, during which more details of the prosecution’s evidence are expected to be reviewed.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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