Barry Morphew, 42, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, following the discovery of her remains in Moffat, Colorado, three years after her disappearance. The case has a long history of legal challenges, including a previous dismissal of charges due to prosecutorial misconduct in 2022. The new indictment comes after the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) found Suzanne Morphew’s remains on September 22, 2023, and her cause of death was confirmed as a homicide with intoxication from butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine (BAM) in her body. These chemicals, which Morphew used as a tranquilizer on his deer farm, were found in only one case in the surrounding counties during the relevant timeframe.
Despite a mountain of evidence from prosecutors that there were allegedly issues with their marriage, Morphew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he and Suzanne had a ‘wonderful life’ and ‘wonderful marriage.’ During a Good Morning America interview, he claimed, ‘They’ve got tunnel vision and they looked at one person and they’ve got too much pride to say they’re wrong and look somewhere else.’ His daughter, Macy Morphew, stated she has ‘never had a shred of doubt’ about her father’s innocence.
Morphew’s attorney, David Beller, has criticized the prosecution, stating, ‘Yet again, the government allows their predetermined conclusion to lead their search for evidence.’ Beller argues that the case has not changed, and the outcome will remain the same. Morphew was arrested in the Phoenix, Arizona area, and the charges stem from the CBI’s findings, including his use of BAM, which has been linked to the drugs found in his wife’s body.
The case has captured national attention, highlighting the complexities of long-term investigations and the challenges of securing justice in complex murder cases. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community and family of Suzanne Morphew await the resolution of this tragic and protracted case.