AFTER a three-year search, Suzanne Morphew's body was found in a rural area of Moffat, Colorado, on September 22, 2023.
Suzanne's husband, Barry Morphew, maintains his innocence as investigators continue to look into her death.
Who is Barry Morphew?
Barry Morphew is the husband of Suzanne Morphew, whose body was discovered in September 2023, after she disappeared on May 10, 2020.
Barry was arrested in May 2021 on first-degree murder charges in connection to the disappearance of his wife.
Suzanne's sister, Melinda Moorman, told Fox 21 in 2021: “My first reaction is relief. And grateful. I’m just so grateful.”
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“Today, justice is beginning for my sister,” Moorman added. “It’s been a journey that no one ever imagines that they’ll take.”
In the arrest affidavit, prosecutors said, "It had become clear that Barry could not control Suzanne Morphew's insistence on leaving him and he resorted to something he has done his entire life - hunt and control Suzanne like he had hunted and controlled animals."
Barry's court hearing was expected to take place in May 2022, but on April 19, 2022, the murder case against Barry was dropped.
What did Barry Morphew say about the dropped charges?
Barry Morphew and his children, Macy and Mallory, spoke out in April 2022 after the first-degree murder charges were dropped.
In an interview with ABC News, Mallory said, "We've been silent for a long time and we've decided that we finally want to break the silence."
Barry added, "I just love my girls and I love my wife and I just want her to be found."
The charges against Barry were dropped without prejudice, meaning prosecutors can charge him in the future.
What happened to Suzanne Morphew?
Suzanne Morphew was reported missing by her neighbor in Chaffee County, Colorado, on May 10, 2020, after going for a bike ride on Mother's Day.
Her bike was found at the bottom of a ravine near Salida, however, it was wiped clean of DNA.
Throughout the investigation, Barry suggested the possibility that Suzanne went missing due to an animal attack, an accident with someone on the road, or a run-in with another person.
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He posted a video to Facebook after his wife's disappearance and said: "Oh Suzanne, if anyone is out there and can hear this, that has you, please, we’ll do whatever it takes to bring you back. We love you, we miss you, your girls need you.
He offered a $100,000 reward to find Suzanne and said, "No questions asked, however much they want – I will do whatever it takes to get you back. Honey, I love you, I want you back so bad."
On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, it was announced that human remains were positively identified as belonging to Suzanne.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigations said in a press release that the remains were recovered by police during a search for an unrelated case on Friday, September 22.
"While this case has garnered attention from around the world, it has touched our community and the sheriff's office deeply," Chaffee County Sheriff, John Spezze, said in a statement.
“We have never stopped our investigation and will continue to follow all leads in pursuit of justice for Suzanne.”
However, on April 29, 2024, Suzanne's cause of death was ruled as a homicide.
According to an autopsy report, Suzanne was murdered with a cocktail mix of drugs.
At the time, the coroner's office confirmed Morphew's body had been buried in a shallow grave and then appeared to be dispersed.
Do Suzanne and Barry Morphew have any children?
Suzanne had two daughters with her husband Barry - Mallory and Macy Morphew.
The two girls stood by their father throughout the ordeal and maintained his innocence.
Speaking of the last three years in their lives, Macy told ABC News in May: "I've never had a shred of doubt (of his innocence)."
