Barry Morphew, 49, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, who disappeared on Mother’s Day in 2020. The indictment, issued by the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, follows his arrest in Arizona and his impending extradition to Colorado. Suzanne’s remains were found in 2023 in Saguache County, a remote area in southwestern Colorado, and the body showed signs of significant bleaching, with prosecutors stating it’s unlikely the body decomposed to a skeleton at the location.
Morphew, who operated a deer farm in the area, used a tranquilizer known as BAM (Butorphanol, Azaperone, and Medetomidine) to sedate and transport deer. Toxicological reports revealed the presence of these chemicals in Suzanne’s body, prompting investigators to explore potential connections to her death. The indictment includes details about Morphew’s alleged misuse of the drug, which was used for veterinary purposes, suggesting a possible link to the case.
The case has been marked by legal and personal turmoil. Suzanne’s remains were found in 2023, more than three years after her disappearance, and the family has been vocal about the need for justice. A $3 million bond was set for Morphew, who faces extradition. Additionally, Suzanne’s friend has publicly criticized a $15 million lawsuit filed by Morphew against prosecutors, calling it ‘bogus.’ The lawsuit alleged that law enforcement overstepped by surveilling Morphew extensively, including using home cameras, phone taps, and GPS tracking on his car.
Suzanne’s messages to Barry prior to her disappearance indicated growing tensions in their relationship, with her expressing that she was