ALAMOSA, Colo. — Barry Morphew is facing a murder charge in the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, following an indictment from a grand jury that was announced recently. This indictment comes more than three years after the initial case against him was dismissed and nearly two years after Suzanne’s remains were found in Saguache County.
The new indictment alleges that Barry Morphew had exclusive access to the drugs found in Suzanne’s system at the time of her death. It includes details from cell phone records and vehicle data that contradict the account he provided to investigators after his wife’s disappearance. Key outages in the data occurred at critical moments during the investigation, suggesting that Suzanne’s body may have been relocated before its discovery in September 2023.
Barry Morphew was apprehended on Friday in Maricopa County, Arizona, and a bond of $3 million has been set. He is expected to be extradited back to Colorado to face trial in Alamosa County.
During a press conference in Alamosa, District Attorney Anne Kelly acknowledged the difficulties in solving cold case homicides, expressing the commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice for victims. “Every unsolved murder is a tragedy,” she said, emphasizing the importance of not forgetting the victims and ensuring due diligence in the legal process.
Suzanne Morphew went missing on Mother’s Day in 2020 while on a bike ride, prompting a lengthy investigation that turned into a murder case a year later, when Barry Morphew was charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and attempting to influence a public servant. The case was dismissed in April 2022 based on the ruling that a critical witness could not testify, and that Suzanne’s body needed to be found to build a strong case.
Notably, Suzanne’s body, which was discovered in a shallow grave during an unrelated investigation, was determined to have died from homicide. An autopsy revealed a combination of sedatives—including butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine—known collectively as BAM, which is prescribed for animal sedation.
Only Barry Morphew and certain organizations in Colorado had access to BAM in the time leading up to Suzanne’s disappearance, the indictment stated. His last purchase occurred in Indiana in 2018, raising further questions about his involvement in her death.
Evidence also suggests Suzanne’s remains showed little decomposition, which could indicate they were moved after her death. Barry Morphew’s attorney has consistently argued for his client’s innocence, claiming a lack of physical evidence linking him to the crime.
In a parallel development, a federal judge dismissed Barry Morphew’s lawsuit alleging malicious prosecution against various parties, despite agreeing that there were misconduct issues in his initial handling. This ongoing legal battle illustrates the complex nature of the case.
As the story unfolds, Morphew’s upcoming trial will reveal more details surrounding Suzanne’s tragic disappearance and death. The community continues to await resolution and justice in a case that has stirred significant public interest since its inception.
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