The autopsy findings of Suzanne Morphew, a Colorado woman who disappeared in May 2020 and whose remains were found in September, revealed the presence of drugs consistent with a tranquilizing agent used to immobilize wildlife. Morphew’s husband, Barry Morphew, who was initially arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with her disappearance, had previously mentioned using a tranquilizer dart cap to immobilize deer bucks. Charges were dropped before his trial in 2022. Suzanne Morphew’s death was ruled a homicide due to intoxication with three specific drugs commonly used to immobilize large mammals.
Suzanne Morphew’s remains were discovered in a shallow grave during a search roughly 44 miles south of Salida, where she was reported missing on Mother’s Day in 2020. Barry was initially believed to have suggested that Suzanne went missing after a bike ride, but authorities alleged that he had killed her the day before, following the discovery of an affair she was having. Suzanne had last been seen alive on May 9, 2020, sending a selfie to her secret boyfriend. There was no evidence that she left the house thereafter, and she never responded to calls or texts.
The full autopsy report revealed that Suzanne Morphew’s remains were identified using dental records and DNA. Among her belongings at the grave site were clothing items consistent with what she wore while mountain biking, a sport she had recently taken up after surviving cancer. Barry Morphew’s attorneys claim Suzanne was abducted and buried while he was working at a job site 150 miles from home, citing the recovered clothing, unknown DNA on Suzanne’s bike and inside her car, as well as a weathered bullet found at the grave site.
Barry Morphew gave conflicting accounts of his whereabouts and activities on the weekend Suzanne went missing, with discrepancies noted in cellphone records, GPS data, and security video footage. Despite these inconsistencies, charges against him were dropped just before his scheduled trial in April 2021 due to lack of evidence following sanctions against the prosecution. There is uncertainty regarding his status as a suspect in the case, as authorities have not presented evidence linking him to Suzanne’s death. The district attorney in the case has faced allegations of misconduct and a lawsuit filed by Morphew remains pending.
The findings from the autopsy could potentially lead to renewed prosecution of Barry Morphew in connection to Suzanne’s death. The district attorney declined to comment on the case, leaving the future of the investigation uncertain. The evidence of tranquilizing drugs and other details from the autopsy report may provide further insights into the circumstances surrounding Suzanne Morphew’s death and shed light on the events leading up to her disappearance. The case continues to raise questions about the handling of evidence and potential legal implications for all parties involved.
