Suzanne Morphew
Suzanne Morphew vanished on Mother's Day from her home near Salida, Colorado. Her husband Barry was charged with murder. Her remains were found in 2023.
On Mother's Day, May 10, 2020, forty-nine-year-old Suzanne Morphew went missing from her home in a rural area near Maysville in Chaffee County, Colorado. Her husband, Barry Morphew, reported her missing that evening, claiming she had gone for a bike ride and never returned. Her bicycle and personal belongings were later found near the home.
The disappearance sparked a massive search of the mountainous terrain around the Morphew home. Despite extensive efforts involving tracking dogs, aerial searches, and dive teams, Suzanne was not found. The investigation quickly focused on Barry Morphew, whose behavior raised suspicions. Among other things, he was found to have submitted a mail-in ballot on Suzanne's behalf during the 2020 presidential election.
In May 2021, Barry Morphew was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and forgery. However, in April 2022, prosecutors dropped the charges without prejudice, citing the need for more investigation time. Barry maintained his innocence throughout.
In September 2023, Suzanne's remains were found in a remote area of Chaffee County. The discovery prompted renewed investigation. Barry Morphew was re-arrested and charged with first-degree murder in 2024. The case highlighted the challenges of building a murder prosecution without a body and in the vast, rugged landscape of the Colorado mountains.
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