By Gavin Fish, April 29, 2024
Four years after her disappearance, Suzanne Morphew’s death has been officially ruled a homicide, with an autopsy revealing drugs used to tranquilize wildlife in her system. Her husband, Barry Morphew, who was initially charged but later released, remains under scrutiny as the investigation continues.
Four years after Suzanne Morphew disappeared on Mother’s Day in 2020, her death has officially been ruled a homicide. The autopsy report, recently released by the Chaffee County Attorney’s office, revealed that Morphew, a 49-year-old mother of two, was found with a cocktail of drugs used to tranquilize wildlife in her system. These drugs were identified in her bones, but the report found no signs of trauma, indicating she was likely drugged to death.
Suzanne’s husband, Barry Morphew, was initially charged with her murder, but the charges were dropped in April 2022 due to prosecutorial missteps. Barry claimed that Suzanne had been abducted, a theory he shared publicly in interviews that some found suspicious. The couple’s relationship had been strained, with Suzanne texting Barry the day before she disappeared, stating she wanted to end the relationship.
Barry Morphew’s arrest warrant and affidavit, a detailed 129-page document, highlighted numerous points of contention and evidence against him. Despite the extensive evidence, including a tranquilizer gun found at their home and a tranquilizer dart cap discovered in the dryer, the charges were dismissed without prejudice, allowing for the possibility of re-filing.
The remains of Suzanne Morphew were discovered in a remote area of central Colorado, more than 40 miles from her home, during a search not initially related to her case. The identification was confirmed through dental records. Her death by a combination of drugs, typically used in tranquilizer darts for large animals, raised further questions about Barry Morphew’s involvement, especially given his possession of a tranquilizer gun.
As the investigation continues, the community and Suzanne’s family remain hopeful that justice will be served. The new findings from the autopsy report could potentially lead to renewed charges against Barry Morphew, pending further legal actions by the prosecutors.
