Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee Co, 10 May 2020 *Case dismissed w/o Prejudice* #102

[Kemug]

We should be careful about assumptions without evidence, for sure. For a long time now, smart couples with substantial assets don't waste them by hiring lawyers and duking it out in court. They hire a mediator experienced in both the law and the psychology of divorce, who can help them see clearly and think wisely about their own interests. That's what handling the end of the marriage "civilly" means: in a mutually respectful and considerate way, as civilized people.

Wow, you just made me think! When Suzanne texted "Let's handle this civilly" I have always thought that she meant "politely" - but maybe she meant "civilly" as "not in the courts". Or even perhaps both?

 

[Kemug]

There's just no need. He could have just showered like a normal person, and thrown his clothes away with his boots (which I assume he did).

This is unproven for me. Perhaps we would have heard something at trial, or hopefully, will.

But he wouldn't have known that there was no need, would he?

 

[susiQ]

But he wouldn't have known that there was no need, would he?

Exactly!

The Bare‘s version of McBeth. Maybe he should have taken the time to read it.

“'Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” (McBeth)
“Out damned spot!” “What, will these hands ne’er be clean?” (Lady McBeth)

BM may not have gotten any of SM’s literal blood on him, nevertheless, her blood is on his hands and no bleach will cleanse him of what he did to his “angel.”

MOO

 

[CGray123]

Meeting with an attorney doesn't have to be preparing to "duke it out" in court. Many divorces are amicable, but an attorney has to be involved in all states, so far as I know, for the filings. Meeting with an attorney would be a logical step to take if someone were really ready to divorce.

RSBM.

In fact, a lawyer isn't needed for most divorces. Do it yourself divorce forms are readily available. I think the Morphews' situation was not terribly complex. SM could have written the terms of custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and property division herself. But most people in her position would want a lawyer to assure it was done right.

Nearly all mediators are also attorneys. If not, the mediation firm has has an attorney available. If BM had agreed to dissolve their relationship in a civil manner, a mediation firm would have been a logical choice to work out the details and write it up.

I agree that meeting with an attorney would be a logical step for someone who is ready to divorce. But it isn't an essential step to make the decision to divorce. Especially if you are afraid your husband will kill you if you try it after MM2 graduates HS and moves out of the PP residence. SM's decision to divorce, expressed to BM in Spring 2020, was prompted by such a fear.

I find the evidence compelling that SM had decided to divorce BM, that they had discussed her moving to a separate residence with MM2 during her last HS year, and that she was telling him she was ready to take the next step in her "I'm done" text. The next step, a civil discussion of the terms of divorce, would most likely involve a mediator or - if they agreed on all the terms - a lawyer to draft the documents.

 

[Momofthreeboys]

Ok, gotcha. Thank you for pointing that out. AA does not =trial evidence. Noted for future.

Also if they didn’t have all the dna results they could have assumed the needle sheath would have Barry’s dna and instead it ended up with Suzanne’s and one of the daughters which they may not have known,

 

[susiQ]

RSBM.

In fact, a lawyer isn't needed for most divorces. Do it yourself divorce forms are readily available. I think the Morphews' situation was not terribly complex. SM could have written the terms of custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and property division herself. But most people in her position would want a lawyer to assure it was done right.

Nearly all mediators are also attorneys. If not, the mediation firm has has an attorney available. If BM had agreed to dissolve their relationship in a civil manner, a mediation firm would have been a logical choice to work out the details and write it up.

I agree that meeting with an attorney would be a logical step for someone who is ready to divorce. But it isn't an essential step to make the decision to divorce. Especially if you are afraid your husband will kill you if you try it after MM2 graduates HS and moves out of the PP residence. SM's decision to divorce, expressed to BM in Spring 2020, was prompted by such a fear.

I find the evidence compelling that SM had decided to divorce BM, that they had discussed her moving to a separate residence with MM2 during her last HS year, and that she was telling him she was ready to take the next step in her "I'm done" text. The next step, a civil discussion of the terms of divorce, would most likely involve a mediator or - if they agreed on all the terms - a lawyer to draft the documents.

Agreed. Mediation certainly is a better way of settling a divorce than duking it out and making lawyers rich. I’m sure this is the route SM would have preferred. However, my concern for SM would have been, what was BM hiding from her that he didn’t want exposed. When dealing with a narcissist you’re not dealing with a rational or fair individual. Self is god. What’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine. This was not a relationship where they were “equal” parties to the family’s finances. HE was the ATM. I don’t think the affair is what triggered him to murder her. We know what he sold after he killed SM, what we don’t know is what his liabilities were. If he had no liabilities there was plenty of money to share for each to go their separate way.

Sadly, this situation demanded she get out safely first, before saying anything, and then proceed to see an attorney. She just didn’t realize just how dangerous he was

 

[Megnut]

Barry missed his chance to say Suzanne liked to tranquilize deer from the breezeway...

But then he didn't expect her (touch/transfer) DNA would be on the sheath.

Saving us any confusion, he claimed full ownership.

You found something? That's because I tranquilized something...

Ouch.

JMO

 

[Sillybilly]

ADMIN REMINDER:

Members have previously been advised the following:

We have literally hundreds of cases that involve domestic violence, so please do not use this dedicated discussion for general discussion of domestic violence. It is a social issue that is not peculiar to this case. If you do a 'title' search just using the word 'violence' you will find many WS threads and resources related to domestic violence. If you wish to discuss the issue in general, I'm sure you'll find a thread you can contribute to.

 

[Trebor5591]

Great article you posted. It shows, in my view, that DA Stanley was simply not up to the task to handling such a complex, high-profile case. Its not uncommon in business or public affairs for individuals to be "over their heads" and tasked with performing something they don't have the background or experience to perform competently, in my opinion. Looks like this may

Another bit of information about no-body cases:

No-body cases tend to have a lot in common, DiBiase said. About 53 percent stem from domestic violence. The accused is a man in 91 percent of them, and the victim is a woman 58 percent of the time.

"Because the assailant typically has a relationship with the victim, he knows he's the number one suspect and that he needs to get rid of the body," the former prosecutor said.

The killers' behavior in the hours and days after the disappearance also tends to be similar.

There are often signs that they tried to clean up the scene or hide evidence. Suspicious purchases – such as heavy-duty cleaning supplies, a new rug, mattress, or bedding – are frequently made after the disappearance.

A lack of concern about the victim's whereabouts also is common, DiBiase said. The killers usually aren't the ones to report a person missing and don't participate in searches. They also tend to move on quickly with their lives and don't show much, if any, concern that the victim is missing.

Authorities don’t have body in the killing of Bellamy Gamboa, but the case will still be prosecuted

VIRGINIA BEACH It’s arguably the most essential piece of evidence in a murder trial, and yet sometimes, it’s missing. The body, that is. While some might assume that without a corpse th…

www.pilotonline.com

good post. thank you!

 

[justtrish]

I have to wonder if Suzanne even had funds for an attorney or with which to leave. BM controlled everything. MOO

I think she would have had funs as soon as the Indiana house sold and she got her inheritance money back. I think she had a back account already set up preparing for that money. The house that was supposed to be sold in early 2020. I think she had that account so she could start fresh and not because she was hiding it from Barry in order to run off.. it's clear he knew she wanted that money back because we have the spy pen conversation about it. I think he knew she wanted out, she wanted her money back and she would have had it, but convenient for Barry she goes missing before that house officially sold in June 2020. I suspect she would have had money for that lawyer, but he didn't allow her the opportunity because he wasn't going to allow that to happen.

 

[FromGermany1]

I think she would have had funs as soon as the Indiana house sold and she got her inheritance money back. I think she had a back account already set up preparing for that money. The house that was supposed to be sold in early 2020. I think she had that account so she could start fresh and not because she was hiding it from Barry in order to run off.. it's clear he knew she wanted that money back because we have the spy pen conversation about it. I think he knew she wanted out, she wanted her money back and she would have had it, but convenient for Barry she goes missing before that house officially sold in June 2020. I suspect she would have had money for that lawyer, but he didn't allow her the opportunity because he wasn't going to allow that to happen.

Maybe, BM delayed the final sale on purpose, because he knew: WITH the money Suzanne would have had a good chance of leaving him and starting a new life.
Something was going on with the Indiana home before Suzanne's disappearing. Was it TN and his family, who did live there? I never heard more details to this. Would still be interesting to know.

 

[Kemug]

I think she would have had funs as soon as the Indiana house sold and she got her inheritance money back. I think she had a back account already set up preparing for that money. The house that was supposed to be sold in early 2020. I think she had that account so she could start fresh and not because she was hiding it from Barry in order to run off.. it's clear he knew she wanted that money back because we have the spy pen conversation about it. I think he knew she wanted out, she wanted her money back and she would have had it, but convenient for Barry she goes missing before that house officially sold in June 2020. I suspect she would have had money for that lawyer, but he didn't allow her the opportunity because he wasn't going to allow that to happen.

I think it's as simple as this: regardless of any illegal doings and money of Barry's, he wasn't prepared to let Suzanne have her share of anything. Barry wouldn't have been at all worried about lawyers discovering his probable shadiness, as he "knew" he was too smart for them. But as for all the visible assets, he saw them as all his, even Suzanne's inheritance. After all, he'd looked after her and paid for everything for her for years, hadn't he? So he thought he didn't owe her anything. And nobody was going to take away half of his money and property, thank you very much.

 

[Leader6518]

Would also have been a good time to leave him! But she wasn't that cowardly; she wanted to come civilly to a consensus first.

I know this is late but IMO Suzanne was thinking of her daughters’ feelings. BM was not. He only was thinking about his money and appearances. That’s the way narcissistic people role. They can fool people who want to believe them for their own peace of mind. I see it in families dealing with addiction. My heart breaks that those close to BM are allowing the con to continue at the expense of Suzanne.

 

[Momofthreeboys]

I think it's as simple as this: regardless of any illegal doings and money of Barry's, he wasn't prepared to let Suzanne have her share of anything. Barry wouldn't have been at all worried about lawyers discovering his probable shadiness, as he "knew" he was too smart for them. But as for all the visible assets, he saw them as all his, even Suzanne's inheritance. After all, he'd looked after her and paid for everything for her for years, hadn't he? So he thought he didn't owe her anything. And nobody was going to take away half of his money and property, thank you very much.

Agree, If you believe Barry killed his wife in a premeditated manner that would be a very logical opinion.

 

[DizzyB]

I think Barry was a till death do us part guy.

 

[Megnut]

I think Barry was a till death do us part guy.

Except for his zipper.

Even know when he's got a new deer, he's still lying about it.

JMO

 

[MassGuy]

I think Barry was a till death do us part guy.

He said as much on page 82. He also bizarrely projected his feelings about Suzanne's affair, which also goes to his justification:

Barry stated that Suzanne told Sheila about things that "has pitted Sheila against me." He said he thought Sheila would counsel her that "marriage is for life." Barry said he told Suzanne when they got married it was for life, specifically saying to her, "I'm a godly man. And you better make sure that you want me, because it's for life."

Barry said, "I don't understand, I mean, she's (Suzanne's) a good woman. You guys probably think she's a piece of crap."

 

[crhedBngr]

I think Barry was a till death do us part guy.

Literally, unfortunately.

 

[Trebor5591]

<snip>
"I'm not sure we've ever just had a bullet out laying on the floor for some reason because he doesn't load the guns in the house and he doesn't shoot them at our house either.

We've got a few guns in our household which we keep loaded and ready to use for an emergency. Every few months, I remove the magazines, then clean and oil the internal workings of the gun to assure it will work smoothly as needed. Sometimes I removed the rounds from the magazine, then reload them. During this process its quite possible for a round or two to drop to the floor unnoticed. It's not strange, and there's nothing inherently dangerous about a loose round of ammo on the floor. All it usually means is that a gun was cleaned or a magazine was removed in that room. That's why I don't necessarily understand why the AA and nearly every comprehensive news story about the case mentioned that loose .22 round found under the bed.

 

[Seattle1]

Maybe, BM delayed the final sale on purpose, because he knew: WITH the money Suzanne would have had a good chance of leaving him and starting a new life.
Something was going on with the Indiana home before Suzanne's disappearing. Was it TN and his family, who did live there? I never heard more details to this. Would still be interesting to know.

I think she would have had funs as soon as the Indiana house sold and she got her inheritance money back. ^^rsbm

When we researched this 100+ threads ago, the house was sold on an installment contract a year earlier where the June 2020 closing represented the balloon payment or payoff to the Morphews. I think it was from these proceeds that SM expected to be reimbursed. (And no, TN or other family was not living there -- the new owners occupied the home).

IMO, in anticipation of the June closing, SM was actively looking at real estate in Salida when she sent BM a link to the $1M home on the market in town. I think SM knew BM's wheels were spinning to invest in the Longhorn Ranch, and SM wanted to insure the proceeds were committed to her own place before BM could get his hands on that money. And we know BM's first purchase within weeks of the IN closing was Lot #8 (at Longhorn).

Yes, his wife was missing/deceased and BM's priority was to buy a building lot! What a guy... MOO