The Bizarre Death of Suzanne Morphew & The Strange Things Around Her

The case of Suzanne Morphew is as perplexing as it is tragic. A 49-year-old mother of two, Suzanne disappeared in May 2020, leaving behind a seemingly perfect life and a family desperate for answers. The twists and turns in this case have kept the public and investigators on edge, with strange details emerging at every step. This article explores the bizarre circumstances surrounding Suzanne's disappearance and death, the investigation, and the lingering questions that haunt her family and the public.

Suzanne Morphew: A Brief Background

Suzanne Morphew lived in the small town of Maysville, Colorado, with her husband Barry and their two daughters. Born and raised in Alexandria, Indiana, Suzanne met Barry in high school. They were high school sweethearts and later attended Purdue University together. They married in 1994 and went on to have two daughters. Barry started a successful landscaping business, while Suzanne initially worked as a teacher before becoming a full-time stay-at-home mother.

The Disappearance

Suzanne went missing on May 10, 2020, which happened to be Mother's Day. Barry claimed he woke up around 4:00 a.m. to go to Denver for work, leaving Suzanne asleep. Their daughters were away on a church camping trip. When the daughters couldn't reach Suzanne to wish her a happy Mother's Day, they grew concerned and contacted Barry. Barry, in turn, asked a neighbor to check on Suzanne. The neighbor found Suzanne's car in the garage but not her bike, which led Barry to instruct the neighbor to call 911.

The Investigation Begins

The police launched an immediate search for Suzanne. Dive teams searched waterways, and volunteers scoured areas near the house. They found Suzanne's helmet off the side of a highway and her bike at the bottom of a ravine. This evidence suggested foul play, and suspicion quickly fell on Barry.

Barry’s behavior raised eyebrows. He released a video on Facebook pleading for Suzanne’s return, but many found his demeanor and body language strange. Further investigation into their home revealed Suzanne’s sunglasses and hydration pack, items she never left behind when biking, which intensified suspicions.

The Spy Pen

A significant discovery was made in the Morphew’s master bedroom: a spy pen designed to record conversations. Suzanne had been using it to catch Barry in an affair, but ironically, it captured her having an affair with a man named Jeff from high school. Suzanne and Jeff had reconnected on Facebook in 2018, and their relationship had grown serious, with daily conversations and several trips together.

Barry’s Suspicious Activities

Barry’s phone records showed unusual activity on the day Suzanne went missing. He had put his phone on airplane mode, making it difficult for investigators to track his movements. However, data from Barry’s truck revealed that he had backed the vehicle closer to the house the night Suzanne disappeared and had opened and closed the doors around 3:30 a.m., contradicting his claim of waking up at 4:00 a.m.

Barry’s explanation for these movements was that he was chasing chipmunks, but investigators found no evidence to support this. They also found a clear-capped tube in the dryer, believed to be a needle cap for a tranquilizing dart, which Barry, an expert in tranquilizing deer, might have used on Suzanne.

Disposing of Evidence

Barry’s behavior after Suzanne’s disappearance further raised suspicions. Surveillance footage showed him making multiple stops to dispose of trash at various locations, including a bus stop, hotel, McDonald’s, and commercial dumpster. Barry claimed he did this to avoid paying dumpster fees, but the timing and nature of his actions were highly suspicious.

When Barry was finally questioned, he had scratches on his body, and his alibi for the night Suzanne went missing was filled with inconsistencies. Despite these red flags, Barry refused to take a polygraph test.

The Arrest and Charges

In May 2021, Barry was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, tampering with a human body, possessing a dangerous weapon, and attempting to influence public servants. The arrest affidavit suggested that Barry had hunted and controlled Suzanne like an animal after she insisted on leaving him.

However, Barry’s defense team countered with several points: the plastic needle cap found in the dryer did not have Barry’s DNA on it, the strong bleach smell in Barry’s hotel room was explained by its proximity to the hotel’s indoor pool, and most significantly, another man's DNA was found in Suzanne’s car. This DNA partially matched profiles from three other unsolved sexual assault cases.

The Dismissal of Charges

In April 2022, a judge dismissed the charges against Barry due to the prosecution missing deadlines and the emergence of new evidence, including the unidentified male DNA. Barry was released, though he still had to wear an ankle monitor and adhere to other restrictions.

The Discovery of Suzanne’s Remains

In a surprising turn of events, Suzanne’s remains were discovered in May 2023 in a remote field about 40 miles from where she disappeared. Her bones were found in a shallow grave, scattered by wildlife. The identification was made using dental records, but the condition of her remains and the cause of death have not been disclosed.

Barry, upon hearing the news, expressed immense shock and grief, maintaining his innocence.

Conclusion

The case of Suzanne Morphew is fraught with strange details and unanswered questions. While Barry remains a prime suspect for many, the presence of another man's DNA introduces significant doubt. Suzanne’s family, particularly her two daughters, continue to grapple with the loss and the mystery surrounding her death.

As the investigation continues, the public remains divided on who is responsible. Will new evidence emerge to provide clarity, or will the case remain a mystery? Only time will tell.