Suzanne Morphew was reported missing on May 10, 2020, and her remains were discovered over three years later. Her husband, Barry Morphew, was initially charged in connection with her murder but the charges were dropped in April 2022. Suzanne allegedly went for a bike ride on Mother’s Day five years ago and never returned. Her bike and helmet were later found in separate locations without significant damage.
It was revealed that Suzanne and Barry were facing marital difficulties, with allegations of Suzanne having an affair. Barry was arrested and charged with murder a year after Suzanne’s disappearance but pleaded not guilty and was released on bond. The charges were later dropped in 2022. Barry was also accused of voter fraud for submitting a ballot in Suzanne’s name, to which he pleaded guilty.
Suzanne’s remains were eventually found in September 2023, nearly 50 miles away from her home. Her death was ruled a homicide in August 2024 but no one has been charged in connection with her death. Suzanne, born on April 30, 1971, was described as a cancer survivor and an avid mountain biker. She and Barry had been married for 25 years and shared two grown daughters.
The case of Suzanne Morphew’s disappearance remains unresolved, leaving many questions about what happened to her.
Retired FBI Agent John Grusing testified in court that, based on data from Barry’s cell phone and truck, he arrived home at 2:44 p.m. that day. The affidavit indicated that Barry confessed to “running around their property with a gun” and switching his phone to airplane mode at 2:47 p.m. While Barry claimed he was shooting chipmunks, Grusing stated in the affidavit that he suspected he was “most likely chasing Suzanne around.” Barry’s defense argued that data showed he was traveling at 45 m.p.h., indicating he could not have been on foot and “chasing” his wife.
A neighbor reported Suzanne missing on May 10, leading to extensive searches by law enforcement and Suzanne’s brother, Andrew Moorman, but she could not be found. Following Suzanne’s disappearance, Barry made an emotional plea for her safe return in an online video, offering a $200,000 reward and sharing the FBI tip line number.
Investigators alleged that on the morning Suzanne went missing, Barry made five trash runs during a work trip to Broomfield, Colo., claiming he disposed of tranquilizer material during one of those trips. In August 2020, Barry criticized the Sheriff’s Department for mishandling the case, calling his wife’s disappearance “the most devastating thing that has ever happened to me.”
Suzanne Morphew’s remains were discovered in September 2023, nearly 50 miles away from her home in Moffat, Colo. Following the finding, Barry expressed shock and grief through a statement from his lawyer, Iris Eytan. In April 2024, Suzanne’s autopsy report was released, ruling her death a homicide due to intoxication with butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine, though no signs of trauma were found.
Barry was arrested on May 5, 2021, almost a year after Suzanne’s disappearance, and charged with murder after deliberation, tampering with physical evidence, and attempting to influence a public servant. The criminal complaint alleged that Barry killed Suzanne between May 9 and May 10, 2020, although he denied the accusations. Barry had a landscaping business and was in Broomfield on the day his wife vanished.
Investigators at the construction site reported that the couple’s daughters were away on a camping trip. In a September 2021 affidavit, it was alleged that Barry attempted to control Suzanne after she expressed her desire for a divorce, likening his behavior to hunting and controlling animals. Suzanne had accused Barry of infidelity, and it was revealed that she had been involved in an affair with a former high school classmate named Libler.
Suzanne’s sister, Melinda, disclosed to a local radio station in Colorado that Suzanne had voiced concerns about her safety and the deteriorating state of her relationship with Barry over the years.
Prosecutors presented evidence against Barry Morphew, stating that Suzanne had texted him on May 6, 2020, declaring that she wanted to end the marriage. The affidavit indicated that Suzanne had taken steps to separate and divorce Barry in January 2020, while Barry allegedly tried to surveil her and destroyed evidence of their deteriorating relationship.
In August 2021, Undersheriff Andy Rohrich testified that Barry had behaved oddly upon returning home on May 10, 2020, following Suzanne’s disappearance. A dart gun and tranquilizer-related items were found in the Morphews’ home, but Barry’s attorney argued that the gun was not functional at the time. Additionally, unknown DNA samples were discovered in Suzanne’s vehicle, with one matching a male linked to sexual assault cases in other states.
Charges against Barry were dropped in April 2022, with the possibility of prosecution at a later date. In May 2022, Barry and Suzanne’s daughters appeared on Good Morning America, expressing relief at the chance to begin the healing process after the charges were dismissed.
Barry Morphew has not been implicated in our mother’s disappearance. No additional arrests have been made following the discovery of Suzanne’s remains. After the charges related to his wife’s presumed death were dropped, Barry left a court building in Canon City, Colorado, accompanied by his daughters, Macy and Mallory. About a year after Suzanne disappeared, Barry faced accusations of voter fraud, including felony forgery of public records and a misdemeanor elections-mail ballot violation for submitting Suzanne’s vote for then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Barry later admitted to forgery, was fined, and incurred $600 in court fees, in exchange for avoiding jail time. When questioned by federal investigators about his actions, Barry stated that he cast the ballot for Trump because he wanted him to win and believed that other people were cheating in the election. Barry claimed that he thought it was acceptable to submit his missing wife’s vote.
