Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee Co, 10 May 2020 *Case dismissed w prejudice* #104

[GatorFL]

A comment in passing

I like to listen to the Podcast of former SDNY US Attorney Preet Bharara

He was talking about the affidavit to support a certain well known search warrant, and stated that in his experience such affidavits typically run to dozens if not scores of pages - just for a search warrant.

Got me thinking about the AA again - which after all, is only to support an arrest - perhaps this was only unusual for Colorado practice?

IANAL but a search warrant is pretty specific. They're looking for certain things in certain places and so they can be lengthly depending on what they're searching for and also what they need to do to access the hiding places. An AA is sort of a general overview of a case so I can see why they would tend to be shorter than many SW.

 

[Niner]

Dear @MountainDad, please note all the above advice, but no pressure! We don't really expect you to solve everything on your trip! OTOH . . . .

Yes! Especially the Vino Salida Wine Bar & Restaurant. Probably a lot of "good" info there!
Enjoy your trip - when are you going?

 

[waldojabba]

I can't decide if Barry locked down his truck overnight but hid Suzanne farther away (couldn't have been me, I was anchored to PP all night) or if he barried her nearby, certain his Broomfield alibi would suffice.

So why did he lock down the truck? To prove he was home all night? Some other reason?

I do think Barry could've hiked with his Yeti to a secondary vehicle which would've created him a whole different starting radius.

I don't believe he turned around at Garfield on Sunday morning. His verb tense was off. As I recall, "I would have [turned]..." So what was he doing???? Lost half hour, lost 14 miles. He dodged, with the elkibi, but I don't buy it. It wasn't 14 miles for a helmet toss and turnaround. So what was he doing????

High on my list -- the burn site, a mine, an animal den, a burial pod, very close to PP.

JMO

@Megnut - thanks for the chuckle - I love the characterization of the alibi as the "elkibi" - so clever

 

[Seattle1]

Thanks for this @Seattle1

It really seems (and confirmed by the Judge's own comments) that this was mostly just bureaucratic "business as usual" stuff, more than any attempt to gain advantage or worries about the reports

It even seems they had the expert content, they just hadn't done the work of getting everything to the defence.

^^BBM

Exactly! If I recall correctly, the defense had at a minimum, the names of all the prosecution's expert witnesses (ultimately lost via discovery violation sanctions) within 21 days of BM's arraignment.

And who can forget IE complaining the witness list provided prior to the PH was too long and requesting the list be parred down and/or provided to the defense in the exact order each would testify! (The request was not granted by the court).

The discovery was late per the altered deadline granted by the court but there was absolutely no smoking gun or trickery here. There was never any fear of a trial by ambush. MOO

 

[CGray123]

2 years 3 months is a lot of patience. I'm heading to Salida area end of Sept for an event. I'm going a day early to search and check out the Puma Path area etc. I'll be on my ebike, goes off road and on trails easily. Im hoping this case will be headed to trial with remains located by then, but if not do any sluethers have a particular area pinpointed as highly probable. I know some members have done extensive research and would love to here your thoughts.

I see lots of helpful posts in response to this!

I am not a Salida resident, so this is just a guess based on the DA's motion and maps.

Pahlone Peak is the mountain behind the Puma Path property, to the south. If we assume that the CCSO's search area is both near the PP property and high and remote, the flanks of Pahlone Peak seem promising. I note on the map that near Maysville, there are intersections off US 50 with county or forest service roads (#s 220, 221 and 222) that lead up the eastern/southern flank of Pahlone Peak and lead to very high elevations. There are forest service roads there, many mines, and hiking trails. These are all within the time and distance constraints on BM as we understand them, and should be very familiar to him. You could talk to locals about these access roads and the potential they are hiding places for SM's remains.

I so respect your commitment to achieving justice in this case!

 

[Megnut]

What time was daybreak on May 10, 2020?

 

[jakat]

What time was daybreak on May 10, 2020?

May 10, 2020 Sunrise 5:54:39 am

May 2020 Sunrise and Sunset Times in Salida, Colorado

Sunrise and sunset in Salida, Colorado, on May 2020 with day length, twilight and solar noon.

sunrise-sunset.org

 

[Megnut]

I see lots of helpful posts in response to this!

I am not a Salida resident, so this is just a guess based on the DA's motion and maps.

Pahlone Peak is the mountain behind the Puma Path property, to the south. If we assume that the CCSO's search area is both near the PP property and high and remote, the flanks of Pahlone Peak seem promising. I note on the map that near Maysville, there are intersections off US 50 with county or forest service roads (#s 220, 221 and 222) that lead up the eastern/southern flank of Pahlone Peak and lead to very high elevations. There are forest service roads there, many mines, and hiking trails. These are all within the time and distance constraints on BM as we understand them, and should be very familiar to him. You could talk to locals about these access roads and the potential they are hiding places for SM's remains.

I so respect your commitment to achieving justice in this case!

That's really good information.

It's one of my working theories that Barry left the property on foot until he reached another vehicle. While it's possible he had a steak and journal burn and then slept like a tranquilized fawn from 11 until 3, I think it's more likely he was on the prowl.

I think that he was forced to do something between roughly 4:30 and 5 that disrupted his own emergent and ill-laid out trail-covering and it required the truck. Did he forget something? Did he need to check something?

Is there a point behind PP where he could drive on MD morning with adequate vantage? At 5 am, was there any daylight cresting? I just feel like he may have tried to survey something. Elsewise he was IMO creating a trail. Helmet, shirt.... or he was disposing of evidence maybe. Hitting remote dumpsters. Monarch Pass, Monarch Spur. I don't believe for one second that the man who voted for the dead wife he murdered would seek out a legal way to turn around. 12 miles out of his way, just for a proper turnabout? Not seeing it.

So where'd he go? And why?

Can't shake the fact that SD placed herself in them thar woods that very day.

Consider. He may have contacted someone on the rarely-associated device around 8 and 11 am. Did he hire a "cleaning lady" for PP? (I don't think so because Suzanne's shorts remained on the floor but maybe he needed her wipe something down. ) At 5 am, could he have been handing off keys? A weapon for safekeeping? Something...

Really, really, really want to know what he was up to that morning.

JMO

 

[MountainDad]

I see lots of helpful posts in response to this!

I am not a Salida resident, so this is just a guess based on the DA's motion and maps.

Pahlone Peak is the mountain behind the Puma Path property, to the south. If we assume that the CCSO's search area is both near the PP property and high and remote, the flanks of Pahlone Peak seem promising. I note on the map that near Maysville, there are intersections off US 50 with county or forest service roads (#s 220, 221 and 222) that lead up the eastern/southern flank of Pahlone Peak and lead to very high elevations. There are forest service roads there, many mines, and hiking trails. These are all within the time and distance constraints on BM as we understand them, and should be very familiar to him. You could talk to locals about these access roads and the potential they are hiding places for SM's remains.

I so respect your commitment to achieving justice in this case!

Thanks everyone for the info. I will be there 2 days now in the third week of September. I'm going to set a plan beforehand of areas to search. Google earth is amazing. Behind the PP home is especially interesting. At the very least I can go get some good exercise and explore the beautiful mountains. I will be looking for new healthy vegetation in barren areas, indented ground, disturbed rocks, etc. I'll leave the mine shafts and water to the pros. Should be interesting to explore that area for a couple days. I do have good friends in that area and locals are pretty pleased BM has left. Im still wondering if he had an ATV at PP home?

 

[California Dreamin’]

I must admit, that I have not seen many arrest affadavits, but those I have seen (e.g. CW and KA) have been a few pages at most. I think a lot of the content in BMs AA wasn't actually needed and should not have been included.

Well, deep down I have to agree with you, BUT, I must admit, what a ride that was!!!

 

[Love Never Fails]

That's really good information.

It's one of my working theories that Barry left the property on foot until he reached another vehicle. While it's possible he had a steak and journal burn and then slept like a tranquilized fawn from 11 until 3, I think it's more likely he was on the prowl.

I think that he was forced to do something between roughly 4:30 and 5 that disrupted his own emergent and ill-laid out trail-covering and it required the truck. Did he forget something? Did he need to check something?

Is there a point behind PP where he could drive on MD morning with adequate vantage? At 5 am, was there any daylight cresting? I just feel like he may have tried to survey something. Elsewise he was IMO creating a trail. Helmet, shirt.... or he was disposing of evidence maybe. Hitting remote dumpsters. Monarch Pass, Monarch Spur. I don't believe for one second that the man who voted for the dead wife he murdered would seek out a legal way to turn around. 12 miles out of his way, just for a proper turnabout? Not seeing it.

So where'd he go? And why?

Can't shake the fact that SD placed herself in them thar woods that very day.

Consider. He may have contacted someone on the rarely-associated device around 8 and 11 am. Did he hire a "cleaning lady" for PP? (I don't think so because Suzanne's shorts remained on the floor but maybe he needed her wipe something down. ) At 5 am, could he have been handing off keys? A weapon for safekeeping? Something...

Really, really, really want to know what he was up to that morning.

JMO

And it’s disturbing that we may never find out.
I love your posts Megnut.

 

[Love Never Fails]

Thanks everyone for the info. I will be there 2 days now in the third week of September. I'm going to set a plan beforehand of areas to search. Google earth is amazing. Behind the PP home is especially interesting. At the very least I can go get some good exercise and explore the beautiful mountains. I will be looking for new healthy vegetation in barren areas, indented ground, disturbed rocks, etc. I'll leave the mine shafts and water to the pros. Should be interesting to explore that area for a couple days. I do have good friends in that area and locals are pretty pleased BM has left. Im still wondering if he had an ATV at PP home?

So BM really did leave? For Denver or parts unknown?

 

[jakat]

Thanks everyone for the info. I will be there 2 days now in the third week of September. I'm going to set a plan beforehand of areas to search. Google earth is amazing. Behind the PP home is especially interesting. At the very least I can go get some good exercise and explore the beautiful mountains. I will be looking for new healthy vegetation in barren areas, indented ground, disturbed rocks, etc. I'll leave the mine shafts and water to the pros. Should be interesting to explore that area for a couple days. I do have good friends in that area and locals are pretty pleased BM has left. Im still wondering if he had an ATV at PP home?

I remember seeing one in the back of his truck. That was in the early days.

Good luck and I hope you find something, anything. Stay safe out there!

 

[Megnut]

Thanks everyone for the info. I will be there 2 days now in the third week of September. I'm going to set a plan beforehand of areas to search. Google earth is amazing. Behind the PP home is especially interesting. At the very least I can go get some good exercise and explore the beautiful mountains. I will be looking for new healthy vegetation in barren areas, indented ground, disturbed rocks, etc. I'll leave the mine shafts and water to the pros. Should be interesting to explore that area for a couple days. I do have good friends in that area and locals are pretty pleased BM has left. Im still wondering if he had an ATV at PP home?

I believe he also had easy access to secondary vehicles -- neighbors', fire dept's, possibly OOT backhoe guy (he mzy have had other equipment too).

JMO

 

[steeltowngirl]

That's really good information.

It's one of my working theories that Barry left the property on foot until he reached another vehicle. While it's possible he had a steak and journal burn and then slept like a tranquilized fawn from 11 until 3, I think it's more likely he was on the prowl.

I think that he was forced to do something between roughly 4:30 and 5 that disrupted his own emergent and ill-laid out trail-covering and it required the truck. Did he forget something? Did he need to check something?

Is there a point behind PP where he could drive on MD morning with adequate vantage? At 5 am, was there any daylight cresting? I just feel like he may have tried to survey something. Elsewise he was IMO creating a trail. Helmet, shirt.... or he was disposing of evidence maybe. Hitting remote dumpsters. Monarch Pass, Monarch Spur. I don't believe for one second that the man who voted for the dead wife he murdered would seek out a legal way to turn around. 12 miles out of his way, just for a proper turnabout? Not seeing it.

So where'd he go? And why?

Can't shake the fact that SD placed herself in them thar woods that very day.

Consider. He may have contacted someone on the rarely-associated device around 8 and 11 am. Did he hire a "cleaning lady" for PP? (I don't think so because Suzanne's shorts remained on the floor but maybe he needed her wipe something down. ) At 5 am, could he have been handing off keys? A weapon for safekeeping? Something...

Really, really, really want to know what he was up to that morning.

JMO

Love this theory Megnut. I also smell a KK in the room.

 

[FromGermany1]

Yes! Especially the Vino Salida Wine Bar & Restaurant. Probably a lot of "good" info there!
Enjoy your trip - when are you going?

Don't get into a restaurant in Salida, which is owned by a relative of BM/SM (so I have read time ago). They won't answer your questions, I think. Maybe, they will even follow you on your way through the area? Imagine, you see someone on a bike, wearing a dark curled wig, in your rearview mirror! Be careful!

 

[GOBliaison]

I can't decide if Barry locked down his truck overnight but hid Suzanne farther away (couldn't have been me, I was anchored to PP all night) or if he barried her nearby, certain his Broomfield alibi would suffice.

So why did he lock down the truck? To prove he was home all night? Some other reason?

I do think Barry could've hiked with his Yeti to a secondary vehicle which would've created him a whole different starting radius.

I don't believe he turned around at Garfield on Sunday morning. His verb tense was off. As I recall, "I would have [turned]..." So what was he doing???? Lost half hour, lost 14 miles. He dodged, with the elkibi, but I don't buy it. It wasn't 14 miles for a helmet toss and turnaround. So what was he doing????

High on my list -- the burn site, a mine, an animal den, a burial pod, very close to PP.

JMO

Good morning, Megnut, {and to all who shall see these presents, greeting!}

"...a secondary vehicle..."​

Fresh and interesting. But...
...would not a secondary vehicle per se have presented cadaverine concerns?

Oh.... But perhaps less so - or not at all - if Barry "borrowed" said vehicle from its unknowing, perhaps absent owner/neighbor/other third party? (Not that Barry was considering the likelihood of a neighborhood-wide LE cadaver dog dragnet. Lest we forget, his cunning Cyclist Lion Attack and Wallwork Alibi ["CLAWA"] were assuredly unassailable . But per your suggested scenario, he may well have benefited by accident.

All grrr imho

 

[GOBliaison]

Maybe they had a difference of.... conscience.

You can be a great defense attorney and represent your clients fiercely without resorting to untruths, misrepresentation, mischaracterization, fabrication, high drama and parking lot PDAs.

If EI actually goes after prosecutorial misconduct, outside of individual cases she's defending, I'll lose my dollar bet.

IMO she's grandstanding for the court of popular opinion. Her "product" is tenacity. It's a good look for future business to look like she's taking on all that is unjust. Sound bites bring in business.

Behind closed doors, I bet more than a dollar that lawyers like EI warn their daughters about men like BM. They know guilty when they see it.

Let me say again, I respect a rigorous defense. Our justice system relies on it. But rigorous doesn't mean dishonest.

Both sides (prosecution and defense) should be officers of the court, defenders of the law, seekers of the truth.

Otherwise, it's not justice.

JMO

PDAs
And yeah!
How about it!!

At Boat School - no matter what class you were in - that cost you a weekend's restriction and twenty demos!

"But sir, that was not my date!! Not even a 'girl'!! That was my sister!!

Negative, mister! That's twenty more for disrespect, and an honor code hearing for misrepresentation!!"

 

[GOBliaison]

One thing I might suggest is head out to Fooses lake, bring a chair, coffee or lunch and just reflect on the surroundings, it's going to be beautiful with possibly peak fall colors. Imagine being in that area and having only a couple of hours to make a body completely disappear, then imagine doing that possibly in darkness all the while leaving no trace.

Take your bike and if you can go down the road to the driveway, maybe rubber neck at whatever you can see from the road down towards the house(don't enter the driveway or stay to long ). While at the end of the driveway looking down it, turn your head 90 degrees to the right then pan back east, the mountain after the first valley you see is the mountain with the mine shafts on it, that has quite a bit of speculation. Imagine heading 3/4 of the way up that mountain (on a pack trail) in the time that it could have happened, then dispose of a body in a way that will not be found. To get to that trail it is the first little road/trail you go by on the right before the driveway, it leads to the campground where the mountain trailhead is that heads up to the mine on the side of the mountain. Even if your acclimated to the elevation, it's another 1,000' feet up (the collapsed mine elevation is about 9,900'). Bike the trail and see if you can still find the pack trail heading up to the mines, take note of the creek you go over and imagine it during snow melt. Also, imagine you only have a couple of hours ... leaving no evidence.

If it's your first time in the Maysville/Monarch area I would recommend just checking things out and get a feel for the area, I think it is still pretty tough to nail down a spot to go look at, especially with the couple of years that has passed. IMO, you may come away with the thought there is no way this could not have been planned. IMO, I don't think it's coincidental they were home alone that weekend, it was more convenient. Set your trip meter on the vehicle and drive the mileage he did, take a look at that turn around at the Garfield mine. Toss an old phone out the window while turning around and find it, that might give you a search radius if that's where it is.

On a side note, Bike the Colorado trail there south of the lake, it's gorgeous, but it also gets up to 12k feet fairly quick so take caution and remember you have to go back down. North of 50 is just as good. Alltrails has some maps of the biking in that area as well as the trail leading to the campground from Puma Path.

Maybe take a drive making the stops that he did at the times that he did and thi. Sure this area is remote and vast, but you have a time frame, Mother's day weekend(crowded), right after/during snow melt, etc. That vastness could equal the vast number of possibilities as to what happened, and you also have Barry thrown in all that(IMO).

IMO she is fairly close to the PP house, possibly a worksite, and or relocated. The movements, stops, noises could all be disposal of evidence. Think about it if it was an oh moment. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a poacher and knew what to do.

I wish it would be possible to run into the daughters ex boyfriend and have a beer and pizza while chatting. It wouldn't hurt to chat with local bartenders during dinner as well.

I don't think it is as easy as, what are some spots to search, but could be used to narrow down some of your own opinions and develop some search area ideas and theories to throw out here.

Just some ramblings and personal opinions.

 

[GOBliaison]

One thing I might suggest is head out to Fooses lake, bring a chair, coffee or lunch and just reflect on the surroundings, it's going to be beautiful with possibly peak fall colors. Imagine being in that area and having only a couple of hours to make a body completely disappear, then imagine doing that possibly in darkness all the while leaving no trace.

Take your bike and if you can go down the road to the driveway, maybe rubber neck at whatever you can see from the road down towards the house(don't enter the driveway or stay to long ). While at the end of the driveway looking down it, turn your head 90 degrees to the right then pan back east, the mountain after the first valley you see is the mountain with the mine shafts on it, that has quite a bit of speculation. Imagine heading 3/4 of the way up that mountain (on a pack trail) in the time that it could have happened, then dispose of a body in a way that will not be found. To get to that trail it is the first little road/trail you go by on the right before the driveway, it leads to the campground where the mountain trailhead is that heads up to the mine on the side of the mountain. Even if your acclimated to the elevation, it's another 1,000' feet up (the collapsed mine elevation is about 9,900'). Bike the trail and see if you can still find the pack trail heading up to the mines, take note of the creek you go over and imagine it during snow melt. Also, imagine you only have a couple of hours ... leaving no evidence.

If it's your first time in the Maysville/Monarch area I would recommend just checking things out and get a feel for the area, I think it is still pretty tough to nail down a spot to go look at, especially with the couple of years that has passed. IMO, you may come away with the thought there is no way this could not have been planned. IMO, I don't think it's coincidental they were home alone that weekend, it was more convenient. Set your trip meter on the vehicle and drive the mileage he did, take a look at that turn around at the Garfield mine. Toss an old phone out the window while turning around and find it, that might give you a search radius if that's where it is.

On a side note, Bike the Colorado trail there south of the lake, it's gorgeous, but it also gets up to 12k feet fairly quick so take caution and remember you have to go back down. North of 50 is just as good. Alltrails has some maps of the biking in that area as well as the trail leading to the campground from Puma Path.

Maybe take a drive making the stops that he did at the times that he did and thi. Sure this area is remote and vast, but you have a time frame, Mother's day weekend(crowded), right after/during snow melt, etc. That vastness could equal the vast number of possibilities as to what happened, and you also have Barry thrown in all that(IMO).

IMO she is fairly close to the PP house, possibly a worksite, and or relocated. The movements, stops, noises could all be disposal of evidence. Think about it if it was an oh moment. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a poacher and knew what to do.

I wish it would be possible to run into the daughters ex boyfriend and have a beer and pizza while chatting. It wouldn't hurt to chat with local bartenders during dinner as well.

I don't think it is as easy as, what are some spots to search, but could be used to narrow down some of your own opinions and develop some search area ideas and theories to throw out here.

Just some ramblings and personal opinions.

Hoss569

A riveting approach. Don''t misplace this. IMO, it's a splendid run-in for your long-considered novel, no matter how this case wraps up. You could start now, and have loads of time to figure out your choice of endings .

Bon courage!​