Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #79 *ARREST*

[susiQ]

DBM - dreaded double post

 

[marylamby]

Why be sorry for being so hard on JL? He isn’t dead. He had his cake and got to eat it too. For a while. Now he can man up and face his family, friends, defense attorneys, whoever. That’s life. Suzanne doesn’t get a do over.

I guess you'd have to be as hard on Suzanne and that's what bothers me most. Takes two to tango.
He's likely lost all or at least some respect from people he cared about. He didn't kill Suzanne. Her HUSBAND did.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Yup lots of smart answers. I'm sure LE was fed up with it all. Hence the charges with the LE addded on to the murder charge.

Rubbish doesnt mean smartass. Literally it means garbage actually, but we do use it as an exclamation when something is beyond credibility.

I think most of his answers have been utter rubbish.

 

[Love Never Fails]

I guess you'd have to be as hard on Suzanne and that's what bothers me most. Takes two to tango.
He's likely lost all or at least some respect from people he cared about. He didn't kill Suzanne. Her HUSBAND did.

If SM was alive, I might be if I knew her. Problem is, I don’t believe she is dead because of the affair. I believe she is dead because BM wanted it all and she wasn’t going to get to leave him.

I don’t relish in the thought of JL being in some sort of pain. This whole thing is a tragedy. But I also don’t feel bad that he lost respect of friends or family, IF he did. It’s not “respectable” to cheat on your spouse. Period.

 

[spinnertette18]

Lurker here... there is so much to read and I haven't been able to keep up with everything over the past year+.

I thought I saw times that the last time SM actually talked to someone - and it was on Friday, May 9th, not the 10th. There were texts on the 10th and a pic to JL. Where were BM and SM on Friday night (8th)? Sending a text - BM could have been doing that making it seem like it was her. I assume the pic that was sent to JL was confirmed to have been taken on the 10th? What if it was a pic she had taken prior to the 10th but not sent to him? What if he killed her Friday night? That's why he was so off Saturday when he was working with his co-workers that morning. His adrenaline was running high. Did he take her body towards that job site and dumped her along the way that day? If she was someplace in the house (or hot tub) for more than a few hours, dogs could possibly pick up a scent of body so he had to get it moved asap - so take it along to that job. His attitude Sat AM could also be that he was anticipating what he planned to do Sat night (pre-meditation?)

On the 6th, she sends a text to BM saying 'I'm done.' Was this was the same neighbor that was called to look for her on the 10th? I assume we do not know what was said between the 2 women? I would expect that the neighbor would be able to describe her demeanor and the extent of their conversation that a text like that (to mean she is done with the marriage) would jive. If I was at a neighbor's house - but not real close, and not talking about wanting a divorce with her, I can't imagine myself casually texting my husband this (meaning a divorce.)

Purse in car in garage. I used to do that all the time. I lived in the country and felt safe. I rarely need anything out of it when I am home. I take my phone in the house. I did it often enough to have left and then realized when I got to my destination that I didn't have my ID, money/CCs.

A person mentioned her needing her purse money and insurance cards for her next chemo appt - on the 10th? That was a Sunday, Mother's Day, I doubt a place would be open for that treatment on a Sunday? Maybe Colorado is different? Or is this common for chemo treatments (appts 7 days a week - this comment doesn't help any theory though.) If she has been a long time patient, she wouldn't necessarily need the ins card. They have all your ins info saved in their system - they can just send a eligibility verification from their system to confirm you are still active. I've been going to my phys for several years - they just ask me if anything changed with my ins. If I say yes, then I need to give it to them (although this doesn't affect any theory either.)

 

[rainbowshummingbird]

Couple of things I've been pondering today...

TD's recording of BM - in the recording BM makes a comment about evidence being found, to take a picture and send to LE, so with helmet and bike being 'placed (maybe/absolutely) what else could have been placed by someone pushing an abduction story? Not the camelbak as that was in Suzanne's vehicle.
I reckon BM 'placed' other stuff and it's either not been made public or not been found.

I've been thinking bout how he may have taken Suzanne's life (if he has done so) - have considered snapping her neck (hate that I even thought of that and then consequently googled it ) and asphyxia - when googling asphyxia it mentioned 'Burking' - term comes from Burke and Hare :

In homicidal cases, the term burking is often ascribed to a killing method that involves simultaneous smothering and compression of the torso.[5] The term "burking" comes from the method William Burke and William Hare used to kill their victims during the West Port murders. They killed the usually intoxicated victims by sitting on their chests and suffocating them by putting a hand over their nose and mouth, while using the other hand to push the victim's jaw up. The corpses had no visible injuries, and were supplied to medical schools for money.[6] (courtesy of Wikipedia)

I think there's absolutely a possibility he may have done this, straddled her and smothered her.

moo

I feel sick

“Burking” sounds like something that you might have to investigate, possibly through reading. If Barry’s remedial English skills are an indication, I doubt he spends much time reading.

 

[MrX]

Unfortunately, lying about an affair (which is only natural, in most situations) leads to a lot of other associated lying.

And the defense doesn't necessarily even have to put BM on the stand to highlight that. They can likely put one or both of the daughters on the stand and ask them various questions, like "So where did mum say she was going when she went to New Orleans to meet her lover?"

If given the opportunity, I think the defense will spring at the chance to point out every mistruth surrounding the affair ... to try to make the jury (or even one member of the jury) think that Suzanne was a habitual liar. That it is extremely questionable that BM was bad to her, questionable that he had a reason to kill her. Reasonable doubt.

(I am not defending their position, I am just trying to be realistic about what course of action the defense may take in defending their client.)

I think you are exactly right. There is a tendency to deify victims, in cases like this, which is probably an over-reaction to not wanting to be labelled a victim basher. Suzanne was human - Barry's killing her doesn't magically change that. It should be evident from PH that a large part of the defense will be putting her on trial. The idea that she is hiding in Ecuador is maybe too farfetched, but I suspect they will paint a picture of the possibility that she trusted some sketchy people as part of her plan to leave Barry. It can be all made-up, but I think they will try to add substance to the idea of Some Other Dude (or Dudes). And part of that will be presenting her a very human light.

 

[marylamby]

Lurker here... there is so much to read and I haven't been able to keep up with everything over the past year+.

I thought I saw times that the last time SM actually talked to someone - and it was on Friday, May 9th, not the 10th. There were texts on the 10th and a pic to JL. Where were BM and SM on Friday night (8th)? Sending a text - BM could have been doing that making it seem like it was her. I assume the pic that was sent to JL was confirmed to have been taken on the 10th? What if it was a pic she had taken prior to the 10th but not sent to him? What if he killed her Friday night? That's why he was so off Saturday when he was working with his co-workers that morning. His adrenaline was running high. Did he take her body towards that job site and dumped her along the way that day? If she was someplace in the house (or hot tub) for more than a few hours, dogs could possibly pick up a scent of body so he had to get it moved asap - so take it along to that job. His attitude Sat AM could also be that he was anticipating what he planned to do Sat night (pre-meditation?)

On the 6th, she sends a text to BM saying 'I'm done.' Was this was the same neighbor that was called to look for her on the 10th? I assume we do not know what was said between the 2 women? I would expect that the neighbor would be able to describe her demeanor and the extent of their conversation that a text like that (to mean she is done with the marriage) would jive. If I was at a neighbor's house - but not real close, and not talking about wanting a divorce with her, I can't imagine myself casually texting my husband this (meaning a divorce.)

Purse in car in garage. I used to do that all the time. I lived in the country and felt safe. I rarely need anything out of it when I am home. I take my phone in the house. I did it often enough to have left and then realized when I got to my destination that I didn't have my ID, money/CCs.

A person mentioned her needing her purse money and insurance cards for her next chemo appt - on the 10th? That was a Sunday, Mother's Day, I doubt a place would be open for that treatment on a Sunday? Maybe Colorado is different? Or is this common for chemo treatments (appts 7 days a week - this comment doesn't help any theory though.) If she has been a long time patient, she wouldn't necessarily need the ins card. They have all your ins info saved in their system - they can just send a eligibility verification from their system to confirm you are still active. I've been going to my phys for several years - they just ask me if anything changed with my ins. If I say yes, then I need to give it to them (although this doesn't affect any theory either.)

I would never leave my bag in the car. During Covid especially I needed my credit cards in the house, then again I live in suburban NY. I would never leave my bag in a car, no matter where I lived.
You can't go to any medical appointment without your insurance card, every single time, and I doubt that's different in CO.
Her appointment was for the 11th. Monday, after her death.
I believe her coffee visit with her neighbor was on Friday (any help here?) but might've been Saturday.
We don't know how close she was with her neighbor but I doubt this was their first coffee clutch so maybe she was a motherly-type figure in her life who she may have confided in.

 

[marylamby]

I think you are exactly right. There is a tendency to deify victims, in cases like this, which is probably an over-reaction to not wanting to be labelled a victim basher. Suzanne was human - Barry's killing her doesn't magically change that. It should be evident from PH that a large part of the defense will be putting her on trial. The idea that she is hiding in Ecuador is maybe too farfetched, but I suspect they will paint a picture of the possibility that she trusted some sketchy people as part of her plan to leave Barry. It can be all made-up, but I think they will try to add substance to the idea of Some Other Dude (or Dudes). And part of that will be presenting her a very human light.

If I ever disappeared, I could be in any part of the world, by my google searches.
Of course they'll try anything. It's their job, their only job and are well paid for it.

 

[Puzzles8]

I think the boots were going to be part of the trash runs, in their entirety, including laces. I would bet that the particular footage of them was obtained early on, before Barry developed his “my truck is my garbage can” shtick. He was probably asked why he would have taken holey boots all the way to Broomfield, and he came up with the frugal saving laces story. I imagine he kept good laces in the past, so it was an easy response. Wanna bet the laces were never found?

I must have missed pages where the boots and laces were discussed, can someone help me catch up?

From what I understand, BM disposed of his boots and laces. How do we know this? Were the boots found? Were the missing the laces found ? How do we know the laces had been separated from the boots? Or did BM just show up at home Sunday night with brand new boots?

TIA

 

[IceIce9]

I guess you'd have to be as hard on Suzanne and that's what bothers me most. Takes two to tango.
He's likely lost all or at least some respect from people he cared about. He didn't kill Suzanne. Her HUSBAND did.

I am disgusted with JL not because of the affair (although I personally do not approve of it) but because he did not go to LE when they were asking for anyone who had contact with Suzanne to contact them. I feel that valuable evidence could have collected shortly after her disappearance if he had.

 

[susiQ]

Unfortunately, lying about an affair (which is only natural, in most situations) leads to a lot of other associated lying.

And the defense doesn't necessarily even have to put BM on the stand to highlight that. They can likely put one or both of the daughters on the stand and ask them various questions, like "So where did mum say she was going when she went to New Orleans to meet her lover?"

If given the opportunity, I think the defense will spring at the chance to point out every mistruth surrounding the affair ... to try to make the jury (or even one member of the jury) think that Suzanne was a habitual liar. That it is extremely questionable that BM was bad to her, questionable that he had a reason to kill her. Reasonable doubt.

(I am not defending their position, I am just trying to be realistic about what course of action the defense may take in defending their client.)

Hmmm….maybe. If the defence is going to rely on the daughters to show SM lied about her whereabouts, the prosecution will question them about any abuse they may have been witness to. If they lie, they risk being exposed, especially if they confided in anyone outside the home. The defence may posit that SM lied to SO about the abuse, but what if one of the daughters confided in a boyfriend that she herself did in fact counsel her mother to seek a restraining order?

From my perspective, I don’t see the defence overcoming the circumstantial evidence against BM. The fact that SM lied to conceal an affair is well, understandable. His explanations of what she was wearing, what he was doing with her and all the other inconsistencies will be enough for anyone with firing brain cells to determine he’s lying through his teeth. Veneered teeth, at that! I believe the real “meat and potatoes” will be served up at trial. JMHO

 

[Boxer]

I would speculate BM hunted even for fun or pleasure considering he admitted to randomly shooting 85 chipmunks from his breezeway and driveway.

MOO

Went home to see his wife midday, then spent time blowing away chipmunks, because MOO "hunting" calms him down.
That is what he said, with Suzanne gone, at least he has hunting.

 

[SouthAussie]

I must have missed pages where the boots and laces were discussed, can someone help me catch up?

From what I understand, BM disposed of his boots and laces. How do we know this? Were the boots found? Were the missing the laces found ? How do we know the laces had been separated from the boots? Or did BM just show up at home Sunday night with brand new boots?

TIA

I think this is all we actually know, and all the rest is conjecture.

Lauren Scharf
Aug 11
#Barrymorphew has something in his hand. Something small, Agent Grusing couldn't decide what it was. His next action is carrying multiple items to his room. Hiking boots, a teal-covered piece of clothing, a darker black piece of clothing, and a light blue bag.

Lauren Scharf
Aug 11
#BarryMorphew stayed in his room for an hour, he is not wearing a long sleeve shirt. He is now wearing a black v-neck shirt, a trash bag, hiking boots.

Lauren Scharf
Aug 11
#BarryMorphew said that there were holes in the boots but the laces were good so he wanted to take them to the room and remove the laces and then trash the boots. Photos of this from the hotel surveillance video are being shown.

https://twitter.com/LaurenScharfTV/status/1425145708324261888?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

 

[Boxer]

Yup lots of smart answers. I'm sure LE was fed up with it all. Hence the charges with the LE addded on to the murder charge.

Agree. It is annoying to read about it, can't imagine listening to it.

 

[justtrish]

Re: leaving her purse in the car She lived in the middle of nowhere and parked in the garage. I'm assuming they kept the garage locked so to me the purse being in the car in the garage is like the purse being inside the locked house. I wouldn't hesitate to leave my purse in the car if I lived where they did and had the ability to park in the garage.

 

[girlhasnoname]

Unfortunately, lying about an affair (which is only natural, in most situations) leads to a lot of other associated lying.

And the defense doesn't necessarily even have to put BM on the stand to highlight that. They can likely put one or both of the daughters on the stand and ask them various questions, like "So where did mum say she was going when she went to New Orleans to meet her lover?"

If given the opportunity, I think the defense will spring at the chance to point out every mistruth surrounding the affair ... to try to make the jury (or even one member of the jury) think that Suzanne was a habitual liar. That it is extremely questionable that BM was bad to her, questionable that he had a reason to kill her. Reasonable doubt.

(I am not defending their position, I am just trying to be realistic about what course of action the defense may take in defending their client.)

Agree, I fully expect the Defense to put Suzanne and her reputation on trial. Their job is to provide their client with a vigorous defense.

I have faith in LE, the Prosecution, and the jury.

#Justice4Suzanne

 

[Lilypad13]

The only reason I can think of is that if Dad had an app for a pizza place that had his credit card linked. I have several restaurant delivery apps and pizza delivery apps that have my credit card linked, so you can order and pay with just a couple of clicks.

Thanks @IceIce9 that makes sense and is probably why they used his phone. I was just wondering if they were snooping because they were suspicious. I guess he didn’t worry about them using his phone or he would delete her texts. Unless one came through while they were using his phone. That would sure be bad timing. Every time I see your WS name I hear Vanilla Ice singing ice ice baby! You may be too young to know that song but it is classic. Your avatar is cute too!

 

[SouthAussie]

Agree, I fully expect the Defense to put Suzanne and her reputation on trial. Their job is to provide their client with a vigorous defense.

I have faith in LE, the Prosecution, and the jury.

#Justice4Suzanne

Yes ... just to be clear, I do not have 'no faith' in the justice system or LE, I am just one of those people who is really interested in how both sides approach a trial. And have followed quite a few trials, due to this interest.

Almost all of the trials I have followed have resulted in a good outcome for the prosecution. With the one exception that I can think of, off the top of my head, is Gable Tostee's trial (in the high-rise balcony death of his date, Warriena Wright). He walked, and I am not sure that he should have.

 

[marylamby]

I am disgusted with JL not because of the affair (although I personally do not approve of it) but because he did not go to LE when they were asking for anyone who had contact with Suzanne to contact them. I feel that valuable evidence could have collected shortly after her disappearance if he had.

While I agree with you, we still don't know if he'd left an anonymous tip. If that's so, would it have been enough? NO but that depends on what Suzanne shared with him.
This is a woman who spent 30 years with a man who has been abusive, controlling and left her by the wayside.
Not a very impressive resume. It doesn't reflect well on her to have endured this treatment - even if it was progressive and she'd had hopes that it might improve and tried to believe his promises.
No one 'approves' of an affair.
I think he knew or at least suspected Barry killed her but that's just conjecture. He also might've thought she was taken during a bike ride or even by an abductor. I really don't care one way or the other.
We don't know what she divulged to JL just yet. I've never been unfaithful to anyone in my life but I can imagine if had I'd been and that man disappeared? I'd be aware enough to know I could be next - or my family may be in danger.
I'm sure men (and women) have felt revenge in the order of, "you took my wife, I'll take yours" or another family member.
I'll bet that megasleuthers here can attest to that.
I do believe that JL was a ancillary and convenient measure. Barry had already made his decision long ago.
She was not the same obligatory, agreeable and unassuming woman he married. That wouldn't do.