Colorado man re-arrested for murder in connection with the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew.
A Colorado man, Barry Morphew, has been arrested for the second time in connection with the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew. This development comes after human remains identified as Suzanne’s were found in September 2023, more than three years after her disappearance on Mother’s Day in 2020. Barry Morphew, aged 57, was taken into custody on a Friday, following an indictment from a Colorado grand jury that charged him with first-degree murder.
The case marks a significant turn in what has been a protracted and complicated investigation. Suzanne Morphew was reported missing by a neighbor in Salida, Colorado, on May 10, 2020, prompting an extensive search and drawing national attention. Barry Morphew was initially arrested in May 2021 and faced charges including murder and other related offenses. However, he pleaded not guilty, and the initial charges were dismissed in April 2022 due to issues related to evidence handling by prosecutors.
The dismissal of the case was without prejudice, allowing for the possibility of re-filing charges in the future, which has now come to fruition. On September 22, 2023, authorities discovered human remains in a shallow grave in Saguache County, approximately 45 miles from the Morphew family home. Following forensic analysis, the remains were confirmed to be those of Suzanne Morphew.
An autopsy report revealed that Suzanne’s cause of death was classified as homicide by undetermined means while under the influence of a combination of drugs known as “BAM,” which includes butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine. This specific cocktail is typically used for sedating animals during medical treatment. Investigators uncovered that Barry Morphew had filled several prescriptions for BAM prior to the family’s relocation to Colorado in 2018, claiming he used the drug to tranquilize deer. However, records indicated that no other private citizens or businesses in the area had accessed such medications during the relevant time period.
The indictment stated that as of the time of Suzanne’s disappearance, the only individual in the area with an active BAM prescription was Barry Morphew. He shares two daughters with Suzanne and was arrested in Arizona; he is anticipated to be extradited to Colorado to face trial for the newly filed charges. This case continues to evolve as investigators follow the evidence in a tragic narrative that has gripped the community and drawn widespread media attention.
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