Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #28

[al66pine]

Bequeathed Real Est in IN?? Death of Spouse?
@marylamby are you asking -- who gets it, a partial property interest in a real est parcel, either w or w'out home?
Repeating: One point to bear in mind: A couple may enter a pre- nuptial (or post-) agreement, to set terms for property division on separation, divorce, or death, or all three, so the st. prop laws may not apply w those events.

This post relates to (hypothetical) DEATH. IN law. From nolo again.
"Many valuable assets don’t go through your will and aren’t affected by intestate succession laws. Here are some examples:

• property you’ve transferred to a living trust
• life insurance proceeds
• funds in an IRA, 401(k), or other retirement account
• securities held in a transfer-on-death account
• real estate held by transfer-on-death deed
• vehicles held by transfer-on-death registration
• payable-on-death bank accounts, or
• property you own with someone else in joint tenancy or tenancy by the entirety. [like this prop?]

"These assets will pass to the surviving co-owner or to the beneficiary you named, whether or not you have a will." bbm
"Under intestate succession, who gets what depends on whether or not you have living children, parents, or other close relatives when you die. Here’s a quick overview: ...." See chart at link, and sections on spouse's share and children's shares.
From: Intestate Succession in Indiana at nolo.com.

As always, welcoming comment, clarification, correction, esp'ly from members of our legal profession. jm2cts.

 

[Dr.StClements]

You are completely right. If you click on the top picture, you can clearly see the skull with a hole in the top frontal portion. Looks like it was either hit by something or shot at. Then to the left of it is the jaw. There’s some vertebrae, the pelvic bones but cannot see them clearly. Plus two ribs. Cannot make out if it’s a man’s or a woman’s skull but it is small compared to the officer’s head standing guard nearby.

I think these bones could belong to a teenager or small-framed female? Difficult to sex the pelvic bones due to the clarity of the image.
The traumatic damage to the skull obviously points to an unnatural death. All speed to LE in identifying who these bones belong to, and in reuniting the remains with their loved ones, so that this person can be laid to rest.

 

[TruthIsStranger]

Missing mom Suzanne Morphew hubby on secret camera: new evidence revealed

August 27, 2020

Suzanne Morphew has been missing now for 3 months, disappearing after reportedly going for a bike ride. Now her family is speaking out, calling on Morphew's husband Barry to "step up" and "work with police to find her." Barry Morphew has repeated said that he believes a mountain lion could have attacked his wife or, she may have been abducted.


Joining Nancy Grace Today:

• Troy Slaten - Criminal Defense Attorney, Los Angeles California
• Dr. Daniel Bober - Forensic Psychiatrist, Chief of Psychiatry Memorial Regional Healthcare Systems, Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine, follow on Instagram at drdanielbober
• Sheryl McCollum - Forensics Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder
• Dan Ribacoff - Polygraph Expert - Author "I Spy, how to be your own investigator" www.danribacoff.com
• Tyson Draper - "The Draper Brothers," YouTube channel
• Lauren Scharf - Fox21 Colorado Springs News

So glad to see that Tyson's contribution to this case has been acknowledged by several highly-regarded professionals in the fields of law enforcement, profiling, and prosecution (PE guys and NG). I was shocked at the initial negative reactions to what he did because it seemed so valuable to me.

 

[MtnMama]

This was a tragic, but - as you make clear - rare event. The news article makes that clear.
During one of my hiking trips in Colorado, I and my partner walked a remote hike into the mountains where we happened upon an adult mountain lion. I became aware of something watching us, and sure enough, there was the animal, standing still and watching us through bushes, at close proximity. We behaved as instructed when encountering different wild animals. In this case we made noise, trying to make ourselves look bigger and didn't turn our backs on it. It didn't try to attack us, but instead ran away. I'm of slight build and not tall, so not a challenging takedown. The noise we made was enough to frighten it off.

SM has been murdered by a human being, not killed by a mountain lion IMO.

Agreed & I'll add that last year there were two run ins that I can recall between humans & mountain lions in CO. The humans in both cases survived, one was barely scathed & one had various injuries. In both cases CO Fish & Wildlife tracked and killed the suspected mountain lion within 2 days of the incidents. In both cases it was ALL OVER the news and repeated warnings were given to be cautious & to be on the lookout in the area.

In this case LE came out quickly to say that it wasn't an animal attack! If they had any suspicion that it was a wild animal, the public would've heard about it! The only animal responsible for whatever happened to Suzanne was human!

MOO JMO

 

[susiQ]

I think that aspect is different. He’s not smart in regards to deception, public image, or well versed in how crimes appear to others. He apparently lacks self awareness as well.

But this man knows the outdoors, and he knows how to operate certain machinery. If anything, I would expect her body to be well hidden, but he may have left a digital trail that gives law enforcement an idea where to look.

If he had left a trail though, then I think Suzanne would have been found by now.

I’m convinced that this was sloppy as all hell, but he did get one part right. Hiding Suzanne effectively.

BBM
And this is one key factor that will not let me leave the premeditated camp. That he was able in such a short space of time to hide SM “effectively.” Of course, he had help from his cat, Bob too!

 

[susiQ]

One thing we know though, when LE gets that one piece of information they need, an experienced DA will be able to get a conviction without a body. My only reluctance in having one hundred percent confidence is the current DA doesn’t have the experience. Did BM possibly count on that?

I don’t think BM can think that far ahead . He can’t even remember where he was

 

[MtnMama]

BM did tell YT blogger about the wheel position and then pivoted quickly as he caught himself. I don't remember if he said the wheel was bent but he definitely said it up upright.

I recall TD first asked if the bike was against the tree and that's when BM corrected him and proceeded to insert foot in mouth....MOO

You are correct! There were multiple points in TD's interview where BM seemed to catch himself in mid sentence! He would either switch subjects or add bizarre details. IMO if you have to add that much unsolicited detail to your story and/or correct what you're saying, something's wrong!

MOO JMO

 

[TKG]

I don’t think BM can think that far ahead . He can’t even remember where he was

I’m with you. IMO BM thought everyone would take him at face value and start chasing the big bad cat. MOO, BM has spent most of his life being given the benefit of the doubt. Big fish in a small pond mentality. There are things he never considered being examined in this case. Personally, I think being outsmarted and made to look poorly to the public is more concerning than what happened to SM as far as BM is concerned.

I hope that someday M&M have some peace and comfort in their lives. This must be unbearable, the next blow (finding out someone they trust and love is likely responsible) may be debilitating.

I must say, I can’t even fathom what their world must be like.

 

[MtnMama]

Let me ask you. If your beloved spouse or parent or child went missing and you felt an electric but hollow horror and desperation to find them and LE told you that they’d like to do a polygraph to help rule you out so they can focus where they need to, would you truly say, “Yeah, no thanks. I’m not interested. They’re unreliable and I will be crucified.”?

As an attorney whose partner does criminal defense I’m aware of their limitations, unreliability and ability to incriminate someone. And yet, if it was MY loved one missing that I was desperate to find? I’d break my legs running as fast as I could do get there to do one.

Mark Klaas and John Walsh have repeated that as nauseam. When loved ones refuse it is a massive red flag.

Because it’s not about the law. It’s not about efficacy. Or risk. It’s about human behavior.

What is typical human behavior on the part of an innocent person in such a situation?

Obviously, veering from that doesn’t make a person guilty. (And as an aside, the converse isn’t true, because guilty people quite often agree to take polygraph tests, talk to LE without a lawyer, etc.) But it is a major red flag for law enforcement.

And for me.

So many red flags IMO. Let's just say BM hasn't done A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G in my book to remove the suspicion I have of his involvement or find Suzanne!

I don't care if you're camera shy, have distrust for the media, or whatever! If my loved one is missing I'm doing anything & everything to find them! Taking a polygraph, VSA, and whatever else LE wants me to do. I'm on every news station that will listen, pleading for the public's help, and most importantly keeping the missing person's name and picture in the public's eye! I'm putting up flyers, putting a wrap with info on the side of my car...literally doing everything I can (no matter what people think of me) to find my loved one. If BM thinks LE has botched things up so much, why isn't he launching an investigation of his own?? Nope, as far as I can see it's a bunch of random, discounted theories and crickets from BM!

MOO JMO

 

[Seattle1]

Conversely, false negatives recorded on lie detector tests - when there is circumstantial/other evidence to show that the test taker is probably the perpetrator of said crime - can reveal something about that person's personality.
The correlation between sociopaths/psychopaths being able to produce a false negative when they are guilty is worth bearing in mind. This won't necessarily complicate a case, but rather add weight to the argument that, for example, certain traits (including the N personality type - I understand we are not allowed to use the word on this site) will fool the test. What becomes ever more important are the Q's that are asked - the test can show patterns of consistency/inconsistency aligned with certain personality types.
I'm not suggesting that this is used as a diagnostic tool. It can, however, provide a bigger picture of the person under investigation.

^^bbm

I'm recalling an interview with a polygrapher expert and criminal investigator (Dr Phil?) that were discussing Colorado's Mark Redwine, accused murderer of his 13 yr old son Dylan.

At the pleading of Dylan's mother, RW agreed to take the exam but fled moments after he arrived at the test location.

Both individuals had an opportunity to meet RW before-- in his hometown as well as a neutral location, and just from an observation point, and no exam results, there was definitely a bigger picture of the person under investigation.

MOO

 

[ReckoningDay]

I wonder if BM called LE as soon as the story was published about the human remains to ask LE questions about identification, whether it was a male or female, whether or not they thought it could be SM, if clothing and/or jewelry was found on or near the remains, etc.

One would assume that a husband who's been frantically and tirelessly searching for their missing wife would immediately jump on any and every report of human remains being located.

So, who's thinking BM was ringing the phone off the hook down at the station today?

Anyone? Anyone?

JMO.

Ohhh good point! He should be calling, but 100 bucks says he isn't!

 

[Gigi3]

So many red flags IMO. Let's just say BM hasn't done A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G in my book to remove the suspicion I have of his involvement or find Suzanne!

I don't care if you're camera shy, have distrust for the media, or whatever! If my loved one is missing I'm doing anything & everything to find them! Taking a polygraph, VSA, and whatever else LE wants me to do. I'm on every news station that will listen, pleading for the public's help, and most importantly keeping the missing person's name and picture in the public's eye! I'm putting up flyers, putting a wrap with info on the side of my car...literally doing everything I can (no matter what people think of me) to find my loved one. If BM thinks LE has botched things up so much, why isn't he launching an investigation of his own?? Nope, as far as I can see it's a bunch of random, discounted theories and crickets from BM!

MOO JMO

Absolutely agree with your post.

And instead of searching or investigating, he’s pretty much chalked it up to it being God’s will. SM would be fine if she just saved one life as a result

Where is she?!!!

 

[Topppps]

So many red flags IMO. Let's just say BM hasn't done A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G in my book to remove the suspicion I have of his involvement or find Suzanne!

I don't care if you're camera shy, have distrust for the media, or whatever! If my loved one is missing I'm doing anything & everything to find them! Taking a polygraph, VSA, and whatever else LE wants me to do. I'm on every news station that will listen, pleading for the public's help, and most importantly keeping the missing person's name and picture in the public's eye! I'm putting up flyers, putting a wrap with info on the side of my car...literally doing everything I can (no matter what people think of me) to find my loved one. If BM thinks LE has botched things up so much, why isn't he launching an investigation of his own?? Nope, as far as I can see it's a bunch of random, discounted theories and crickets from BM!

MOO JMO

Yeah I don't agree with that, I wouldn't be talking to media if they were being vultures

 

[Gigi3]

Ohhh good point! He should be calling, but 100 bucks says he isn't!

Well, if he reads here, he probably will call now.
He’s having to learn as he goes

 

[Chocoholic]

I agree completely. I would never let my clients take polygraphs because it is my job as their defense attorney to protect them and ensure the state makes the state's case based on admissible evidence. When you defend bad people all day you realize many criminal defendants (at least in my own experience) have a problem with the truth and even ordinary things get twisted and embellished into lies. Do I want my pathological liar client to take a polygraph or talk to investigators or do anything except wait for me? Nooope.

But if my husband was missing? Hook me up and rule me out. I don't have concerns about the polygraph test as an investigative tool. I have concerns about my criminal defense clients being liars 90% of the time.

Very well said! I appreciate your input and expertise.

 

[Elle*Bee]

GRAPHIC
Yes, unfortunately, a photographer has managed to capture a photo of the skull, and what looks like a pelvic bone using a long-distance lens. That is someone's daughter/son, not a collection of bones to be broadcast to the world.
Those bones could belong to a child/teenager. No-one close to this person (murderers excepted) deserves to be confronted with such an image, especially when it's the first sighting of their deceased loved one they will have had in goodness knows how long.

The tent should be concealed from cameras and prying eyes on all sides. The photographer knew what s/he was recording on camera.

Thank you for saying this! As nosy as I am, I find the photo - and it’s publication - very, very distasteful. Those are more than bones. That is someone’s loved one. (My son majored in forensic science with a minor in anthropology. He had several professors who I’m glad attempted to instill the same thinking.)

 

[MassGuy]

Yeah I don't agree with that, I wouldn't be talking to media if they were being vultures

So you’d say “screw it, I’m not going to do the single most important thing I can do to bring my wife home, because the media are vultures?”

 

[Topppps]

So you’d say “screw it, I’m not going to do the single most important thing I can do to bring my wife home, because the media are vultures?”

When has the media ever helped in a missing person case?

 

[Gigi3]

Yeah I don't agree with that, I wouldn't be talking to media if they were being vultures

Normally, I would agree with you on the press, but in the case, I haven’t seen media camped in his yard, harassing him as he goes to the gym, following him on his searches... nothing!


Honestly, I think the media has not been hounding him at all besides maybe a couple. It really surprises me at the lack of media attention.

 

[ReckoningDay]

Well, if he reads here, he probably will call now.
He’s having to learn as he goes

That always worries me. Some of these jerks probably get their best ideas from reading here. Goodness knows the members here are smarter than the murderers.