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After 3 years, remains are found in a shallow grave
Our cold case database is in danger of no longer being maintained.
Suzanne Morphew, 49, was last seen on May 10, 2020 – Mother’s Day.
She lived in Maysville in Chaffee County, west of Salida, with her husband, Barry Morphew, and their two female teenagers. At the time she vanished, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office said Suzanne apparently went for a bike ride but never returned.
Her bicycle was found not far from the Morphews' house soon after she vanished, but her bike helmet was found four days later less than a mile away just off Route 50. It was undamaged.
Despite an exhaustive search, investigators, family, and friends were unable to find her.
In May 2021 – a year after Morphew disappeared – her husband Barry was charged with her murder. He pleaded not guilty. After a three-day preliminary hearing, a Chaffee County judge ruled that there was probable cause for him to stand trial.
But, their case quickly fell apart.
Charges against Morphew were dropped in April of 2022 after prosecutor's were barred from presenting crucial evidence at trial — after a judge found out the state had held back substantial evidence that could have helped his case of innocence.
This evidence included DNA evidence that linked her disappearance to sexual assault cases in other states. This could suggest that someone else was involved in her death.
A judge later dismissed the charges without prejudice, meaning that if additional evidence comes up at a later date, Morphew could be charged with the same crime again.
On September 27, 2023, while investigators were searching for a different missing person, they came across the remains of Suzanne in a shallow grave. This is three years after she vanished without a trace.
This remote and secluded area where her body was uncovered is known as “The Boneyard,” — it’s 40 miles south of where she was reported missing.
Morphew's attorney released a statement after the news broke.
Barry is with his daughters and they are all struggling with immense shock and grief after learning today that their mother and wife whom they deeply love was found deceased,” the attorney said.
“They had faith that their wife and mom would walk back into their lives again. The news is heartbreaking.”
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