Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #38

[TxGidget]

Question for those familiar with trail cameras...do you usually have to climb onto a tree to install one?

No. Usually you want them low. Unless you want an aerial view of the animals. But it depends on what kind of animals you are trying to view. They are often painted camo to blend in with tree bark and such.

 

[PaulaDC]

This is a valid concern. He could be setting up his Puma Path home as a bunker where he is keeping surveillance. Who knows how many guns he might have inside the home. He could be preparing for a shoot out IMO.

Do trail cameras work like any other surveillance system where you can monitor the feed remotely from your home or phone?

Being they work on cellular service I wonder what views a warrant would bring to LE.

 

[Ninja Bunny]

I agree and legally hes within his rights to do so on his property. My only issue with his behavior is the timing of it. The search has been in the works for weeks. He knew when and where it would be happening. He isnt even living at the house right now (not that it would make a difference rights wise). He could have chosen any day in the past 3-4 weeks to set up trail cams or hire some security team to put measures in place. Instead of planning ahead he CHOSE to wait until the day of the search to hang cameras and walk around his property with a gun. He has an apartment, so if he was truly worried about safety, he didnt have to be at the home during the search. He wanted to be there, it was an intentional choice to do this, on this day. IMO this was yet another attempt by BM to control the narrative (ie Im the innocent victim trying to protect my land) and also to try and intimidate anyone he crossed path with. Im sure he feels the pressure and is looking for ways to assert his continue exerting his dominance over SM

Very true. He’s out there beating his chest when he could have secured his property earlier. Hide out in the condo while his buddy G “400 Tours” D watches the house for him. That said, I don’t find it as weird or alarming as some do, I’m used to rural folks doing stuff like this.

I love the teasing comments Andy and the PE guys gave, I think finding anything is secondary, the primary reason for the search is psychological warfare against Peanut Butter Barry.

 

[PaulaDC]

This is a valid concern. He could be setting up his Puma Path home as a bunker where he is keeping surveillance. Who knows how many guns he might have inside the home. He could be preparing for a shoot out IMO.

Do trail cameras work like any other surveillance system where you can monitor the feed remotely from your home or phone?

Being they work on cellular service I wonder what views a warrant would bring to LE.

 

[Deleted member 102539]

deleted, double post

 

[Uninformant]

Whether he’s innocent or guilty, it seems perfectly legit for him to be patrolling and protecting his property right now. It wouldn’t make sense for him to join in searching with people who openly state they believe he’s responsible.

 

[Deleted member 102539]

Yes as many of you have been saying this search tracking app is pretty neat.
If SM is not found this week I hope there’s a way where this can stay up and people who decide to search can log in and just keep adding their tracks to the map over time.
SM you will be found and justice will be served!!

eta @MassGuy you can click on the tracks for name and details. I haven’t found the person they’re talking about but there’s a tiny bit of info available.

bbm
Is that advantageous for the searchers, if BM and entourage are able to look for his "enemies" (in his eyes)???

 

[Knox]

Very true. He’s out there beating his chest when he could have secured his property earlier. Hide out in the condo while his buddy G “400 Tours” D watches the house for him. That said, I don’t find it as weird or alarming as some do, I’m used to rural folks doing stuff like this.

I love the teasing comments Andy and the PE guys gave, I think finding anything is secondary, the primary reason for the search is psychological warfare against Peanut Butter Barry.

I like it, PBB

 

[Knox]

Whether he’s innocent or guilty, it seems perfectly legit for him to be patrolling and protecting his property right now. It wouldn’t make sense for him to join in searching with people who openly state they believe he’s responsible.

Yep, a guy who may have murdered his wife walking around with a gun makes perfect sense.

 

[ivegotthemic]

I like it, PBB

Official motion to start referring to BM as PBB, i love it @Ninja Bunny

 

[MassGuy]

Very true. He’s out there beating his chest when he could have secured his property earlier. Hide out in the condo while his buddy G “400 Tours” D watches the house for him. That said, I don’t find it as weird or alarming as some do, I’m used to rural folks doing stuff like this.

I love the teasing comments Andy and the PE guys gave, I think finding anything is secondary, the primary reason for the search is psychological warfare against Peanut Butter Barry.

I wouldn’t find it weird if his wife wasn’t missing. She is though, and he should be rolling out the welcome mat for anyone who wants to help find her.

He should also be out there himself, personally thanking searchers, and you know, helping to find his <modsnip> wife.

I think the primary reason for this search is in fact to find Suzanne. The psychological warfare is an added benefit, and it’s a move I absolutely love.

I was hoping they’d show a strong presence near the family home; not because I think Suzanne is there, but because it would unsettle Barry.

It clearly worked. I hope they do it again tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that.

 

[BeckyF]

However, a pattern of impulsive, threatening behavior does. Maybe you’ve missed some of the context here.

At any rate, my work is in behavioral science and my sense of this is that BM seems increasingly unpredictable.

Have you listened to all the vocalizations from him that we have availability? Combine that with his actions and you tell me - as a lay person (I’m a psychiatric anthropologist, specializing in epidemiology and field diagnostics/methods)...do you think BM comes across as an innocent man, with good relationships with others?

His wife is missing. His comrade MG says he was acting weird that weekend. Now his wife’s brother - his (former?) family member organizes a search which, instead of joining in, he disrupts with trail cams and comes bearing a shotgun.

He puts an elk head (with flesh) next to his house sometime around the same weekend - is this the behavior of a cautious man?

At least they found what appears to be a place where lions drag their kills today and the forensic people can take a look (Suzanne isn’t there is my bet).

And tomorrow, the drones fly.

I have more than 30 years experience interviewing and studying both the convicted and the non-convicted and I say that this situation is making BM feel upset and anxious. His response is to show up at the edge of his property with a shotgun.

Neither you nor I is a judge - but the one judge we have here on this thread said that they think a judge would find this very interesting. Provocative, even

Every judge I know would be keenly interested (but I’m in California where, of course, we do tend to err on the side of judicial caution - or at least we used to until very recently).

The fact is, neither you nor I knows what a local judge will find to be probable cause for the fourth known search warrant in this case - if it comes.

Time seems ripe for another one, if you ask me. Especially as BM has another place to live - he doesn’t have to be there and no one trespassed.

Why the trail cams?? What’s he afraid of?

More important, why isn’t he out there doing exactly what the searchers are doing? I’ve said all along that finding the mountain lion’s feeding grounds/den area is crucial here - to ruling in/out what happened.

It’s obviously possible and took only one day, with dedicated, organized people. What happened to the money raised for BM & family for searching? Why did AM have to raise other funds to do this search?

While misappropriation of donated money may not be a crime (although it can be, can’t it?), it’s just another red flag in this case.

Judges do act on red flags. All.the.time.

Great insight! Right on!

 

[swedeheart]

i love how this will put up cameras for his property NOW, but didn't bother with him when his wife was home "ALONE."

i'd be willing to wager this actually was up in a tree watching searchers all day. he probably used the arcGis map, too.

i know emotions and true crime are a terrible mix, but i am so angry with this jerk! <modsnip>

i do know this, BM is unhinged, and i hope everyone stays really safe, especially andy.

 

[24Brix]

Thank you for doing some research. For me, it's not that the size is too large. The only option I have asks for an image URL. I am unable to upload any photos from my computer or phone.

Not sure if you’re still struggling with this, @TKG, or what exactly what device your using, but there are two ways to upload photos here, IMO.

The first is by clicking the little picture icon (next to the smileys) when composing your comment. (I think this is what you’ve been trying to do.) This will prompt you for a url link to the photo you want to share. That photo needs to be hosted somewhere, though — Flickr, Instagram, Imgur, one of the permitted MSM or LE web sites, etc. The benefit is that because the file is being hosted elsewhere, it lets you share a huge, hi-res image if you want.

The second way is to just go the photo album on your device, copy the photo(s) that you want, and paste it/them into the comment. There is a file size limit though (not sure what that limit is) so you will probably need to download an app to convert your pics to something the WS software can handle. “Image Size” is a popular app for the iPhone/iPad. I’m sure it or similar apps are also available in the Android ecosystem.

All of the above is AIUI.

Good luck tomorrow and be safe! I look forward to living vicariously through you and the other searchers!

 

[Deleted member 102539]

Half his. Suzanne owns half. Her interests need voice.

Captious. Why not. I'm in favor!

 

[TKG]

Not sure if you’re still struggling with this, @TKG, or what exactly what device your using, but there are two ways to upload photos here, IMO.

The first is by clicking the little picture icon (next to the smileys) when composing your comment. (I think this is what you’ve been trying to do.) This will prompt you for a url link to the photo you want to share. That photo needs to be hosted somewhere, though — Flickr, Instagram, Imgur, one of the permitted MSM or LE web sites, etc. The benefit is that because the file is being hosted elsewhere, it lets you share a huge, hi-res image if you want.

The second way is to just go the photo album on your device, copy the photo(s) that you want, and paste it/them into the comment. There is a file size limit though (not sure what that limit is) so you will probably need to download an app to convert your pics to something the WS software can handle. “Image Size” is a popular app for the iPhone/iPad. I’m sure it or similar apps are also available in the Android ecosystem.

All of the above is AIUI.

Good luck tomorrow and be safe! I look forward to living vicariously through you and the other searchers!

Great, thank you for the tips!

 

[GordianKnot]

Whether he’s innocent or guilty, it seems perfectly legit for him to be patrolling and protecting his property right now. It wouldn’t make sense for him to join in searching with people who openly state they believe he’s responsible.

Right!

Because as we all know, what BM cares most about is protecting his property.

Not looking for some missing woman.

The fact that the missing woman happens to be his wife of over 20 years, notwithstanding.

Priorities.

JMO.

 

[al66pine]

Trail Cameras

Question for those familiar with trail cameras...do you usually have to climb onto a tree to install one?

@LandManatee
Depends on what you're trying to capture and why.
From personal experience placing cameras w memory cards on our land/acreage to catch wildlife still pix for fun (mule deer, javelina, fox, pronghorn antelope, birds), nope, no tree climbing necessary. We secured cameras w velcro straps on fence post or gate, approx knee to shoulder high, w no worry about two legged intruders. Have not used vid cams or any w remote viewing, so can't speak to those. YMMV.

Discussions about Camera Placement and Triggering
Remote camera - Wikipedia
Camera trap - Wikipedia

 

[Cindizzi]

CO. Gun Laws?
These articles* summarize CO. st. gun laws. If BM was carrying a shotgun on his property, but not brandishing it or threatening anyone w it, lawful behavior??? (Not that I'd trespass on that property or be close by.)

"Red flag law"** aka "Extreme Risk Protection Order." ??? BM???
In CO, when person w firearm is dangerous to self or other residents of same household.
"The police may temporarily confiscate firearms from people who are threatening to harm themselves or others or have been accused of the same by someone who resides at the same address of the subject, and then get a court order afterwards." ** per wiki summary-table, below.* The 26 page CO statute itself *** was enacted in 2019.

FWIW, other than CO: "As of April 2020, 19 states and the District of Columbia have enacted some form of red-flag law.[9] The specifics of the laws, and the degree to which they are utilized, vary from state to state." **

---------------------------------------------------------------
* Gun laws in Colorado - Wikipedia and NRA-ILA | Colorado Gun Laws
** Red flag law - Wikipedia
*** https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/2019a_1177_signed.pdf. or C.R.S. Title 13, Art. 14.5.

The Sheriff of my County says he will not enforce it ( along with at least a dozen other Colorado County Sheriffs). I’ve not seen CCSO quoted as saying that, but according to this he does not support it.

The red flag bill again thrusts Colorado’s sheriffs into the gun debate — with legal questions, strong emotions and Facebook letters


Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze supported a similar red flag bill in 2018 that ultimately failed, and he initially was prepared to support this year’s measure, he wrote in a Facebook post.

“Based on my strong desire to have another tool at my disposal I was compelled to initially offer support for the new bill,” he wrote. But he learned it had changed from the 2018 version, and he said he spent hours considering the ramifications of the changes.

Writing that it was “the hardest decision I have ever made,” he decided he could not support House Bill 1177.

Instead of following the 2018 template, this year’s bill shifts the burden of proof requirement after someone’s guns are seized for up to a year by court order. It puts that burden on the person whose guns were seized, rather than on law enforcement or a family member.

“The idea behind this legislation could be a tremendous tool to assist family and law enforcement when handling persons in a mental health crisis but there also has to be mental health funding attached so there are facilities and resources to treat these persons,” Spezze wrote.

He had other issues with the scope of searches allowed and the potential mingling of civil and criminal issues, but many of his concerns centered on the the notion of taking away guns without providing adequate mental health resources for those in crisis.

 

[crhedBngr]

True. But the context of this situation is explosive. They are searching for his wife and he’s carrying a gun around them. It appears threatening.

I’m seriously concerned it could turn into a standoff and others will be injured or killed. Barry may be completely unhinged at this point.

RBBM

Me, too.

JMVHO.