Barry Morphew Biography: Barry Morphew is a 56‑year‑old man who worked as a deer farmer in Indiana. He was recently indicted on first‑degree murder charges for the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, five years after her disappearance.
On May 10, 2020, Suzanne Morphew went for a bike ride near her home in Salida, Colorado, on Mother’s Day, but she never returned home. Police found her bike and helmet but did not find her dead body.
In May 2021, her husband Barry Morphew was arrested and charged with his wife’s murder.
He maintained his innocence, and in April 2022, the case was dismissed without prejudice, largely due to prosecutorial misconduct like withheld DNA evidence.
He filed a lawsuit for $15 million against prosecutors and investigators, alleging constitutional rights violations.
In September 2023, Suzanne’s skeletal remains were discovered in a shallow grave near Moffat, Colorado, around 45 miles south of their home.
Toxicology revealed traces of BAM (a powerful animal tranquilizer) found in her bones.
Suzanne was suffering from a type of blood cancer called follicular lymphoma. A “port” is a small medical device implanted under the skin, usually used to deliver chemotherapy or medications. When her remains were found, the coroner removed this medical port to help confirm her identity, since such devices often have serial numbers or patient records linked to them.
He had worked as a deer farmer. In the investigation of his home, investigators found a tranquilizer rifle, darts, needle caps, and empty packaging.
Investigators recovered a text message Suzanne sent to her husband Barry Morphew on May 6, 2020:
“I’m done. I could care less what you’re up to… We just need to figure this out civilly.”
He has two daughters named Mallory and Macy Morphew.
The daughters said, “We know our dad. He would never do something like this.”
“This is the same recycled case with no real evidence. Barry is once again the target of a biased and flawed investigation,” Barry’s defense attorney said.
Prosecutors say, “Now we have a body, forensic evidence, and traces of a powerful tranquilizer (BAM). These facts change everything.”
Public response:
“If the case was dismissed in 2022, why reopen it now?”
“Why did Barry’s phone go offline minutes after Suzanne’s final message?”
“Why were there gaps in the truck’s data logs?”
“Why did Barry have access to that rare tranquilizer?”
He was held on a $3 million bond after re-arrested on June 20, 2025.
