Barry Morphew
Chaffee County Sheriff's Office

Almost five years after Suzanne Morphew vanished during a bike ride in Colorado, her husband Barry Morphew has been officially arrested and charged with her murder. The shocking turn of events follows revelations that Suzanne had allegedly told Barry she wanted to end their marriage. The case, which once saw charges dropped due to procedural errors, has now resurfaced with new forensic evidence, prompting renewed focus on the man at the heart of the long-standing mystery.

Who Is Barry Morphew?

Barry Lee Morphew, born on 17 October 1967, is a former deer farmer originally from Alexandria, Indiana. He met Suzanne in high school, and the couple later relocated to Colorado in 2018 after running a deer farm in their home state. Now in his mid-50s, Barry was described by his former attorney as a 'loving father and husband'.

The Morphews had been married for around 25 years and shared two daughters, Mallory and Macy. In a related case in 2021, Barry pleaded guilty to voter fraud after submitting Suzanne's ballot during the 2020 presidential election.

His Daughters Stand by Him

Despite the gravity of the charges, Barry's daughters Mallory and Macy have stood firmly by his side. After the initial murder charges were dropped in April 2022, they appeared on Good Morning America, publicly expressing their unwavering belief in their father's innocence.

'We know our dad better than anyone... he was not involved in our mum's disappearance,' Mallory said. Macy echoed this view, stating the family was focused on healing and calling on authorities to step up efforts to find Suzanne.

The sisters have become vocal advocates in their mother's case, urging greater transparency and progress from law enforcement.

Revisiting the Murder Allegations

A Colorado grand jury has indicted Barry Morphew on first-degree murder charges in connection with Suzanne's disappearance on 9 May 2020. Prosecutors allege he used an animal tranquilliser called BAM—a substance later found in Suzanne's remains—to kill her. Investigators discovered tranquiliser darts, needle caps, and a dart gun inside the couple's home.

Suzanne's skeletal remains were recovered in a remote part of Colorado in September 2023. According to the autopsy, the cause of death was drug-induced homicide. These findings led to the new charges, following a previous dismissal due to prosecutorial errors involving withheld evidence.

Barry has maintained his innocence throughout and is currently being held on a $3 million (£2.23 million) bond.

What Comes Next?

Barry Morphew will be extradited to Colorado's 12th Judicial District where he will be formally arraigned on charges that include first-degree murder and evidence tampering. Authorities claim the tranquiliser BAM played a pivotal role in the alleged murder.

Under Colorado's revised Amendment I (passed in 2024), bail can be denied in murder cases where the evidence is deemed compelling. Legal proceedings will move through the stages of discovery, plea negotiations, and pretrial motions. If convicted, Barry faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The renewed legal developments shine a spotlight once more on the tragic disappearance of Suzanne Morphew, raising questions about justice, family loyalty, and what truly happened on that fateful day in 2020.