Additional Coverage:
Barry Morphew Indicted Again for Wife’s Murder
A Colorado grand jury has indicted Barry Morphew for the murder of his wife, Suzanne, more than three years after she was reported missing on Mother’s Day 2020. This marks the second time Morphew has been indicted in connection with his wife’s death; previous charges were dropped in 2022 just before his trial was set to begin.
Suzanne Morphew’s remains were discovered in September 2023 during an unrelated investigation. The cause of death was ruled a homicide, specifically citing “undetermined means in the setting of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine intoxication.”
This combination of drugs, known as BAM, is used for animal sedation. The indictment alleges Barry Morphew, a former deer farmer, had access to and experience using BAM.
The indictment details a strained marriage, with Suzanne confiding in friends about her unhappiness and plans for divorce. A text message from Suzanne to Barry found on his phone read, “I’m done.
I could care less what you’re up to and have been for years. We just need to figure this out civilly.”
This message was dated just days before her disappearance. While Morphew initially told authorities their marriage was strong, the indictment suggests these claims contradicted witness testimonies and other evidence.
Morphew was taken into custody in Arizona and is awaiting extradition to Colorado. He maintains his innocence, with his attorney stating the new indictment changes nothing about the case.
Morphew’s previous attorney also proclaimed his innocence and criticized the prosecution’s handling of the case. The former district attorney who initially prosecuted Morphew was disbarred last year for misconduct related to this and other cases.