Found Deceased CO - BARRY ARRESTED AGAIN - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee Co, 10 May 2020 *Case dismissed w/o prejudice* *found in 2023* #116

[Diddian]

It's unclear to me what is meant by the lack of "insect activity" since I haven't seen the forensic anthropological report, but I would interpret that it means that there weren't any pupa casings from fly larvae present in the clothes or associated materials, which you might find even after a body has decomposed and skeletonized. The presence of pupa casings points to the fact that the body was deposited on the surface and was there long enough for flies to deposit eggs, for the eggs to hatch, and for the casings to remain behind. The presence of a buried body with 1) sun bleaching and 2) no pupa casings implies a secondary deposition, meaning the body decomposed in one location for a period of time, and then was removed and buried in a secondary location. This is just speculation on my part, since I don't know any particulars of the recovery.

Very much appreciate your response. Thank you!

 

[NuttMegg]

I feel so sorry for their daughters, to think your father could do such a vile thing to your mom!ag

I was always queasy at their "look happy me" attitude. I feel neither happy nor sad.... nor sorry for them if they still support their father openly during this trial. I guess I'd rather not even hear of them again.

Imo, jmho, maybe it's just me.

 

[Miss Poovy]

I was always queasy at their "look happy me" attitude. I feel neither happy nor sad nor sorry for them if they still support their father openly during this trial. I guess I'd rather not even hear of them again.

Imo, jmho, maybe it's just me.

Understandable.

 

[Diddian]

I guess, but there was a mountain of evidence in the last trial too.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm inclined to believe much of their support last time (near the courthouse as well as when they submitted to televised interviews) was being stage managed by BM's legal team. This is not to say that they don't support and love their father, but it may be that they are not as overwhelmingly convinced of his innocence as they were encouraged to appear for his benefit. IMO, except for the tears of the younger in the televised interview where BM sat flanked by the two daughters, almost none of it looked "natural."

 

[ChuckMaureen]

One thing to focus on: the prosecution believes BM ended SM's life on the 9th. Was SM already dressed in cycling clothing when BM returned home? This is unknown. If she wasn't, BM would have had to include SM's cycling clothing with her body. Would he dress her body, or just strip her and toss in the clothing?

When LE recovered SM's remains, the identified lack of insect/decomp evidence on the cycling clothing is a key element.

 

[Magic8Ball]

I was always queasy at their "look happy me" attitude. I feel neither happy nor sad.... nor sorry for them if they still support their father openly during this trial. I guess I'd rather not even hear of them again.

Imo, jmho, maybe it's just me.

You're not alone.

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Do we have pictures of the actual coolers owned by Barry Morphew just prior to the murder? This is the type I'm thinking of:

View attachment 597003
I live out west, and see them all the time in the backs of trucks.

JMO

I don't recall ever seeing pics of Barry's coolers, It was the pics other posters suggested I was looking at. The cooler you've posted looks big enough alright. JMO

 

[dkaras]

Something I’m still not clear on. Was the blue jacket she normally wore when biking ever found? What about her wedding ring?

I don't know about the jacket but I forgot about the wedding ring. I can't imagine that BM would dispose of such a large diamond ring for nothing. I'm assuming that authorities are searching or have searched his most recent home, vehicles, storage units, etc. I really hope they find the ring! How would he explain that away?

 

[Knox]

It's unclear to me what is meant by the lack of "insect activity" since I haven't seen the forensic anthropological report, but I would interpret that it means that there weren't any pupa casings from fly larvae present in the clothes or associated materials, which you might find even after a body has decomposed and skeletonized. The presence of pupa casings points to the fact that the body was deposited on the surface and was there long enough for flies to deposit eggs, for the eggs to hatch, and for the casings to remain behind. The presence of a buried body with 1) sun bleaching and 2) no pupa casings implies a secondary deposition, meaning the body decomposed in one location for a period of time, and then was removed and buried in a secondary location. This is just speculation on my part, since I don't know any particulars of the recovery.

Do you have an opinion on the sun bleaching (if that is what meant)? Did that take place previously, or in the place the body was discovered?

I realize it could be either and is a difficult question to answer, just seeking further thoughts from you.

 

[Luna20]

How appropriately sneaky of Kelly if true, I like that Barry was likely thrown off guard as well. Driving along in Gilbert, Az not a care in the world. Then BAM - he’s in cuffs and headed to jail …

BAM BAM. Is that a pun? lol

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

This is a link to the 2021 arrest affidavit in color. Morphew arrest affidavit

 

[ChuckMaureen]

Some thoughts on Mr. Morphew’s theory (and staging) of a bike ride near the Puma Path home on May 10 (Mother’s Day) 2020.

Per the arrest affidavit (page 21),

“In regards to the call(s) to Jeanne Ritter, he stated, "She calls me and says, "Hey, her car is here." And I said, "Well, is her bike there?" ……………………………She goes, "There's no bike here. (Unintelligible) look here in the back." And I said, "Well, she's ridin' her bike but I'm a little concerned, because I think she said she was gonna take a morning ride".”

Although the temperatures were nice in Salida (elevation 7084 ft) on Mother’s Day, peaking around 70 between 2 and 5 PM, they were considerably cooler in the morning. Additionally, the temperatures at their house on Puma Path (elevation 8800 ft) would have been about 9 degrees cooler. This undermines the idea of the “morning ride”.

His first impression is that she’s simply riding her bike (quite reasonable). Nonetheless he’s a “little concerned”, because he “thinks” she said “morning ride” but given her typical routine of an afternoon ride, it would certainly be the obvious explanation before anyone’s concern rose to the level of calling the Sheriff.

However, “He told police that he received a call around 5 :00pm on May 10, 2020 from his neighbors while physically at the Broomfield jobsite. The neighbors told Barry Morphew that his daughters were concerned because they could not reach Suzanne all day. Barry instructed the neighbors to check the house and specifically to look for her bike, the neighbors reported to Barry that neither Suzanne nor the bike were at the house, and Barry then instructed them to call the sheriff.” (Indictment p. 2).

Why call the Sheriff presuming she’s a missing person. Wouldn’t a much simpler explanation for the lack of contact be (from an innocent person’s point of view) that she and her bike are together on an afternoon ride? This, naturally, wouldn’t involve raising alarm and calling the Sheriff. (if I called the police every time I couldn’t contact my wife for a few hours I’d be doing life without parole for harassment!).

An even simpler explanation for both the lack of contact and the instructions to call the Sheriff, is that (1) she’s dead, (2) he’s staged an abduction-during-bike-ride near their home that morning and (3) he’s now trying to focus attention on a scenario that exonerates him for murder.

A reasonable concern: wildlife. Was she attacked, etc. It's moot, now; remains recovered, "died as a result of homicide", but he could claim "wildlife" was the reason for his 'immediate' concern.

 

[Miss Poovy]

Entomology really is a fascinating field, if at times, a little gross. Dr E.O. Wilson, was a prominent entomologist and it was fascinating to hear him speak about the subject & how it crossed several scientific lines.

 

[Luna20]

How do they know that he was the only person who had BAM?

 

[ar3593]

This reminds me of that movie “What Lies Beneath” Husband Harrison Ford is a Dr who shoots his wife played by Michelle Pfifer with a tranquilizer that paralyzes her whole body, shes awake in a bath tub that’s slowly filling up with water about to drown because she can’t move her body to get out of the tub. Creepy movie that Dart gun with BAM makes me wonder if this happened to Suzanne.

I remember that scene well in "What Lies Beneath", it was terrifying imagining being in that situation. I can see this being very similar to what Suzanne experienced with the BAM. The level of evil and depravity is astonishing...I will never understand how people are capable of carrying out such dastardly deeds.

 

[Knox]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm inclined to believe much of their support last time (near the courthouse as well as when they submitted to televised interviews) was being stage managed by BM's legal team. This is not to say that they don't support and love their father, but it may be that they are not as overwhelmingly convinced of his innocence as they were encouraged to appear for his benefit. IMO, except for the tears of the younger in the televised interview where BM sat flanked by the two daughters, almost none of it looked "natural."

I agree, but feel it’s best not to express my feelings on this subject any further. Appreciate your reply though, thank you

 

[Knox]

I don't know about the jacket but I forgot about the wedding ring. I can't imagine that BM would dispose of such a large diamond ring for nothing. I'm assuming that authorities are searching or have searched his most recent home, vehicles, storage units, etc. I really hope they find the ring! How would he explain that away?

Wouldn’t that be something!! He probably hid it somewhere in Indiana so he could sell it years from now. Maybe at the home his Mom lives in that was titled to M. I can hear him telling her, don’t ever sell that house - promise me.

 

[waldojabba]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm inclined to believe much of their support last time (near the courthouse as well as when they submitted to televised interviews) was being stage managed by BM's legal team. This is not to say that they don't support and love their father, but it may be that they are not as overwhelmingly convinced of his innocence as they were encouraged to appear for his benefit. IMO, except for the tears of the younger in the televised interview where BM sat flanked by the two daughters, almost none of it looked "natural."

I hope for their sake you are correct @Diddian especially since the finding of their Mom's body and the findings in the autopsy report.

I agree that Iris was very influential with SM's daughters - but I think in almost a Mom role. They were two lost girls who needed guidance - they had Shirley, Marci BM's sister, Iris and maybe Sho.

Imo what a nightmare - these women were all gaslighters and I'm sure perpetuated the myth that their Mom was a sinner bc of the affair and that their father was innocent and Godly.

The oldest and BM were always tight - he would run to her after fights with Suzanne/ - the youngest we know knew of the troubles with her parents / I imagine if she thought it through she might feel enormous guilt for going with her sister on that trip - one of those IF ONLY thoughts.

I know the Mom Shirley will be there in Colorado if she isn't already and if she is healthy and able. So I have to bet the girls will follow suit ( jobs/living situations/boyfiends?) - and maybe they are in Gunnison still - didnt Barry buy Mallory a condo?

There are two things I am thankful for re this case
- Barry is behind bars and I believe he will never be free again
- Melinda and Suzanne's family will have another chance at a relationship with Suzanne's daughters - somehow some way - I know that is their fervent wish and I hope this arrest is the vessel that helps effectuate that

JMO

 

[10ofRods]

I don't recall ever seeing pics of Barry's coolers, It was the pics other posters suggested I was looking at. The cooler you've posted looks big enough alright. JMO

That's because, IIRC, they were missing from the garage.

However, his BiL (Suzanne's brother) did give an interview at one point about Barry's hunting kit. Many hunters do have these big coolers and other gear for handling deer. The BiL talked a lot about how large an animal Barry had been known to tote to his truck and put in a cooler.

IIRC. JMO. Can't find the interview right now.

 

[Miss Poovy]

How do they know that he was the only person who had BAM?

It’s a federally regulated controlled substance.