2022CR47 + 2025CR128

Victim: Suzanne Morphew

Defendant: Barry Morphew

Date of Incident: May 10, 2020

Location: Chaffee County, Colorado (original venue, first arrest, location of homicide) Fremont County, Colorado (change of venue, first arrest) Saguache County, Colorado (location of remains, deceased human body) Alamosa County, Colorado (newest venue, second arrest)

Status: The defendant has been released under strict bond conditions ($3 million = $300,000 cash & surety or property, posted by supporters). Barry Morphew's second homicide case is currently pending trial after a grand jury indictment.

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On Mother’s Day 2020, Suzanne Morphew disappeared from her home near Salida, Colorado. Her husband, Barry Morphew, told authorities she had most likely gone for a bike ride and never returned. Extensive search efforts yielded no sign of Suzanne, but investigators soon uncovered digital and GPS evidence that reportedly contradicted Barry’s account.

Prosecutors allege Barry killed Suzanne amid marital troubles and her plans to leave him. In May 2021, he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body and related counts, despite Suzanne’s body not being located.

The People's case collapsed in April 2022. Charges were dismissed without prejudice days before the trial was set to begin. Linda Stanley, Barry Morphew's original district attorney who has since been disbarred and is no longer allowed to practice law, cited the need for more time as well as harsh winter conditions hindering searches for the victim's body in a key area. The case was dismissed pending the recovery of Suzanne's remains.

In September 2023, Suzanne’s remains were found in Moffat, about 50 miles from her former home near Salida in Maysville, Colorado. Following the discovery, Barry Morphew maintained his innocence and was not immediately recharged, though the investigation remained active. He has also filed a lawsuit against prosecutors and law enforcement, alleging wrongful prosecution.

Barry Morphew was arrested in Maricopa County Arizona on June 20, 2025. He was then extradited back to the state of Colorado where he now faces a grand jury indictment by the People of Colorado via Alamosa County and district attorney Anne E. Kelly. 

Mr. Morphew is currently awaiting trial under a very strict sort of supervised house arrest with in-person and digital check-ins. Barry Morphew is not physically living in a jail cell, but he certainly isn't free.

(written by jennifer knight for crimecurious.com)