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

[oviedo]

I still ponder a water disposal, as well.

My thoughts from early on were the use of equipment, unfortunately
JMO

 

[Hatfield]

Okay. I can't erase my post but I won't ask questions about TN or BM's family or try to find info on the camping trip anymore, even in the context of BM's possible involvement. Thanks for clarifying. It gets confusing sometimes for me. Still learning.

Thanks for learning the rules and abiding by them. We of course can research whatever we want to on our own. Its just we have to be careful to only share and discuss here what is allowed according to the rules.

Thanks for all your and everyone elses input as everybody helps contribute to our case discussions.

 

[marylamby]

@allyoucantleavebehind - I need to apologize for not adding a disclaimer to my "what if post." For better than 3 months, we assumed BM traveled to DENVER on Mother's Day, allegedly to set up a job for his landscape crew. His crew was expected to arrive in town on Sunday night. We heard this direct from BM's lips (see YT video).

On 8/25, we heard for the very first time from AM, (SM's brother) that BM told him he was setting up a job in Colorado Springs and the job did not appear to be landscape related whatsoever. My post was only to confirm what I heard (i.e., interpretation of the conversation between BM and AM). I don't hold any truth to what BM alleges he did on Sunday.

And tonight-- BM reportedly told Inside Edition that he was allegedly attending a volunteer firefighters convention on Sunday!!

Sorry for any inconvenience my post may have caused.

Pick a card (alibi) any card (alibi).

 

[EggSalad]

I wonder if LE is still waiting on a lot of digital forensics evidence to be completed? I guess they could still be waiting on lab work from the dig site and second home search too.

 

[Hatfield]

I wonder if LE is still waiting on a lot of digital forensics evidence to be completed? I guess they could still be waiting on lab work from the dig site and second home search too.

I agree that LE may still be doing work on the evidence gathered. Especially for the cell phone or other phone records. If they only got cell tower dumps and pings to work with then that sort of analysis takes a lot of time.

If they ended up getting actual GPS locations then that sort of analysis would go much quicker.

For DNA evidence if any was gathered,
there are sometimes long delays in getting back results because they sometimes have to send it off to another place and we often hear of backlogs for that.

 

[marylamby]

The only thing I can find related to firefighters in Denver is this which I think was cancelled as an event as I am seeing some cancellation notices.

The event was supposed to be on
Saturday, May 9, 2020 • 6PM-10PM MDT for trying out for the 2021 calendar. But I think it was cancelled because it does say cancelled. Not totally sure.

CANCELLED: COLORADO FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR 2021 TRY OUTS - Colorado Firefighter Calendar

It was cancelled but I don't know how soon before the competition they decided to (almost called to ask but got busy).
When I first learned of SM's disappearance, I did some research on my own but then I thought, WEBSLEUTHS!, and came over here because you're all so damn good!

Oh duh, I see your link states it was cancelled, that pop up wasn't there when I first found it.
I've always thought that could've been the reason for Denver but it's not something you want to share with your BIL.
That's some competition, isn't it? Women pay the big bucks to oil the guys up before the show, LOL!
I wonder if he'd ever tried out for the calendar before...*whistles*

 

[osu]

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

 

[303gmf]

There is literally nothing from MSM or LE indicating BM was going to be at this event.

Perhaps he didn’t announce it, could be he, dare I say it ? ummmm lied or only SM or daughters knew and they of course didn’t report it to msm.
No one has stated as fact that BM planned to go or not, just pointing out the coincidence that dates and location and FF related somewhatish have been something to speculate on, chuckle about...I did!
Other than construction related excuse for alibi in Denver or C/S locales which no worker or hotel employee has leaked anything on surprisingly, its “something to talk about” in the words of Bonnie Raitt

 

[allyoucantleavebehind]

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

Notes from this Nancy Grace episode of "Crime Stories"

Nancy Grace comments her feelings would be hurt if her husband didn't give her a card or a tea on Mother's Day. Begins episode with focus on Suzanne being alone on Mother's Day at home. This frame of Mother's Day continues throughout episode.

ANIMAL ATTACK STORY
Sheryl McCollum: "Most people that live in mountainous area know that carcass won't be drug more than 50 ft." So not an animal attack.

BIKE AND SAR
Cut to CBS 4 featuring nephew talking to media about bike. Assumes the family reporting that BM was in Denver.
News recording of Chaffee County Sheriff saying they used two types of dogs in search and acknowledging that "social media" is getting out to places where SAR crews cannot.

BM'S MEDIA SILENCE
Troy Slaten says he would tell BM not to talk to media because primary suspect will always be husband. Says BM gave 30 hours of testimony to CBI and FBI. NG pushes back on BM's silence.

BM'S "DEMEANOR"
Lauren Scharf says BM said there wasn't an ounce of evidence against him. NG says this seems like the wrong thing for BM to lead with. Lauren says he misses her so much and so do daughters; can't sleep or eat--he is sick without her. His voice shook when he spoke. NG asks Dan Ribacoff for insight on what demeanor to expect. DR says "unusual affect can be a sign of deception"--meaning overly calm.

ON POLYGRAPH
NG wants to know why no polygraph has taken place if BM offered to take one.

EVIDENCE IN THE TRUCK
Lauren says something with the Bobcat timing was off. Suzanne's family is the one who told Lauren that data from BM's truck doesn't match his story.

QUESTIONS ABOUT "CLASS IN DENVER"
NG wants to know why BM had to "spend the night" away on Mother's Day; gives example of her own husband coming home. This really bothers NG. Sees no reason that BM had to leave his wife "all alone" on the night of Mother's Day.

TYSON'S RECORDING OF BM
NG notes that only one party in Colorado has to consent or agree to being taped, according to law. NG asks about terrain--if someone kidnapped her, they would have to "be lying in wait" or suddenly decide to steal her. Draper says it is near a mountain-biking trailhead but probably not very busy on Mother's Day. Draper thinks the abduction theory is very unlikely. NG pushes back on BM's suggestion that a car could have cut Suzanne off. Draper describes his video of how short the bike ride was (3 minutes on the bike total); spot where her bike was discovered is the first spot on that road where there is no security camera sign. Draper says coming around that hairpin turn is so steep and uphill that you can't fly around it; driver would have time to slow down; it's not a spot that's feasible to run someone off a road.

CONDITION OF BIKE
Draper says that BM in video said bike was at bottom of canyon with "wheel bent or something like that" and then he stopped talking as if he realized it wasn't info he needed to share. NG notes that "this is the first time we've heard about the condition of the bike" as it was found (referring to BM in video). Sheryl McCollum says this tells her that if she had been run off the road or had a wreck, her body would have been found right near the bike. "There would dirt and dust under the seat of the bike and in the wheel realm", McCollum says, "it sounds very staged to me."

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE ALONG CR 50
Draper describes a security camera about 50 yards from where bike was discovered but you can't see it because you come around the curve on a small bridge. He and Lauren Sharf said neither she nor Draper have seen any video surveillance that confirms Suzanne was on a bike ride. And no witnesses saw her on a bike. If there are cameras along this route and none saw her on a bike ride, seems unlikely Suzanne was ever on a bike. Morphew house surveillance down that day for whatever reason, according to Draper.

COLORADO SEMINAR
Fire chief told Lauren no training happened in Denver so that was ruled out, but BM told her he was alone at a job site for his construction company and the other employees would be arriving the next day. Monday. Draper says BM told him he was going to Denver for a job not firefighter training.

BM'S FEELING THAT COPS BOTCHED INVESTIGATION
McCollum says if somebody kidnapped her, they were very very lucky that it was Mother's Day and her two kids weren't there and the husband wasn't there and the house cameras were down and the alibi of the husband keeps changing. McCollum thinks all his words and denials make look "more and more suspicious." Rabicoff said private polygraphs are easy to procure and BM may have taken one with attorney and the results might not be ideal, but that's not public because it's privileged by attorney-client relationships.

BM told Lauren he's never dated anyone besides Suzanne in his life.

3 hour drive to Denver says Lauren from Salida (assuming mountain roads are slower).

MOO: NG very admiring of Draper. Gives him the most talking time in this podcast.

 

[swedeheart]

Human Bones Found in Highlands Ranch

NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO –Yesterday evening at approximately 5:20 p.m., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen reporting the findings of a human skull and other bone fragments in the 9000-block of S. Broadway in Highlands Ranch. Deputies responded and located the bones described by the caller. The Douglas County Coroner’s Office was also notified and responded to the scene. We will be working in conjunction with the Douglas County Coroner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death.

 

[303gmf]

It was cancelled but I don't know how soon before the competition they decided to (almost called to ask but got busy).
When I first learned of SM's disappearance, I did some research on my own but then I thought, WEBSLEUTHS!, and came over here because you're all so damn good!

Oh duh, I see your link states it was cancelled, that pop up wasn't there when I first found it.
I've always thought that could've been the reason for Denver but it's not something you want to share with your BIL.
That's some competition, isn't it? Women pay the big bucks to oil the guys up before the show, LOL!
I wonder if he'd ever tried out for the calendar before...*whistles*

The oil!
Forgot I saw that too, lol
Seems a happily married man with 2 daughters and as churchy as we’re led to believe would maybe keep up the pretense of a job to do vs the truth, I don’t know?
I know my own girls would have tied up and drugged their own Dad to prevent if announced at family dinner!!

 

[EggSalad]

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

This should be interesting. My guesses are:

1. Gas station at a time and/or place that conflicts with his alibi
2. Hotel - doing a ‘mechanical thing’ to his bobcat in the parking lot.

 

[susiQ]

Excellent deductions, IMHO. And if he used an older vehicle without gps, to dispose of her body, I still think she is nearby, simply because he was under the pressure of a time restraint. He wanted to have her disposed of in darkness and did not want to cut it close.
He still had cleanup to do, had to deal with possible forensics on tools, and he needed to think about establishing an alibi with a clear head.
I do not think a job had already been scheduled prior to her murder.
Moo of course.

Agreed, he didn’t have much time and that’s what leads me to believe it was premeditated. I’m also thinking not much of a mess. Strangulation. I wonder if during his first 3-30 hrs rolleyes of questioning there weren’t photos of his body that may have revealed scratches that he attributed to his work in Denver or wherever the heck he was. It would not take much for a brute his size to very quickly cut off her oxygen supply either by ligature strangulation or putting his big knee on her neck. A quick snap of the neck would do it too. Sorry to say it, but true. I know personally of just such a case. Struck a deal two weeks before trial. 15 years. LE saw nothing out of the ordinary in the house and it was a small house. She disappeared, and a week later was laid out dead in front of my sister-in-law’s car. My SIL lived in the basement apartment. COD, neck trauma. To this day we don’t know where the perp hid the body for that week on the property. The house had been searched. I suspect but don’t know for sure he hid her in the new garage in or under something. He was a smallish, 63 year old and she a taller, bulkier woman in her early forties. It was his son’s girlfriend and they didn’t get along.

Anyway, just wanted to say, maybe not much of a clean up needed.

 

[Ninja Bunny]

Sheryl McCollum: "Most people that live in mountainous area know that carcass won't be drug more than 50 ft." So not an animal attack.

Yup. Cougars cache their kills nearby, they may move it during a feeding but not that far. If Suzanne had been killed by a cougar there would have been ample evidence and she would have easily been found nearby. Barry may be a hunter but he doesn’t know crap about mountain lions. Him still trying to push the mountain lion narrative is a sad joke.

My hiking spots are in cougar country (also wolf, bear, and moose). Cougars are the living definition of “death from above,” they attack from above and behind, going for the neck. If you’re in cougar country, even though attacks are rare and kills are extremely rare, it’s advised to cover your neck, frequently look up and behind you, and wear a hat with large eyes sewn/attached on the back to deter an attack.

 

[SeattleStew]

Human Bones Found in Highlands Ranch

NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO –Yesterday evening at approximately 5:20 p.m., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen reporting the findings of a human skull and other bone fragments in the 9000-block of S. Broadway in Highlands Ranch. Deputies responded and located the bones described by the caller. The Douglas County Coroner’s Office was also notified and responded to the scene. We will be working in conjunction with the Douglas County Coroner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death.

For anyone else curious, here is a map from Maysville to location of bones in Highlands Ranch, click to enlarge:

 

[Blue Amethyst]

In western Washington in late May 2020, two very experienced bikers (both men in their early 30's) were stalked and attacked by a male cougar when they were biking on a remote dirt road outside North Bend (20 or so miles outside Seattle). When the men realized they were being stalked, they got off their bikes, made noise, and attempted to look larger and threatening. One of them shook his bike at the cougar and the cougar appeared to leave; however, the cat circled back and pounced, taking one of the two men's head in its jaws and shaking him violently. The other man dropped his bike and ran. The cougar dropped the first man and chased and attacked the other. The first man got on his bike, and rode 2 miles away to get cellphone coverage where he could summon help.

Investigators working with dogs found that the cougar had dragged the second victim into his den and severely mauled and killed him (with injuries to face, neck, head, and leg). The dogs treed the cougar so the investigators could remove the deceased victim, and the cougar was shot. Wildlife officials say there was something wrong with the animal; it was emaciated and its behavior was very unusual. A brain necropsy was to be performed to determine if it was sick.

It was nearly a century between this attack and the last cougar attack upon a human in Washington; however, intense and highly dense development has moved human populations into territory occupied by the animals.

In my own neighborhood outside of Seattle, cougars are occasionally seen in a large natural park area that is located adjacent to our and other housing developments. Residents are encouraged to keep domestic cats inside and dogs close by as those permitted to run loose often simply disappear. In my own neighborhood, residents have posted photos of bobcats and cougars in their yards in the early morning or at dusk. Bears regularly visit on the night garbage bins are placed at the curb for pickup early the next morning.

Two attacked by cougar identified; wildlife officials say predator was ‘emaciated’

What a sad story about the two bikers. So even two young men together are not safe.

I am talking about prairie and farmland with the only trees growing in a person's yard site. We are ninety minutes from the mountains.

I can imagine how they could hide in the trees in the mountains and attack someone however there is no evidence of SM being attacked. They would have tracked the cougar and found her, if that was the case, like in your story. They leave their own trail of evidence.

Now we are being extra cautious and the grandchildren are not allowed outside alone.

 

[CaseZero]

Human Bones Found in Highlands Ranch

NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO –Yesterday evening at approximately 5:20 p.m., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen reporting the findings of a human skull and other bone fragments in the 9000-block of S. Broadway in Highlands Ranch. Deputies responded and located the bones described by the caller. The Douglas County Coroner’s Office was also notified and responded to the scene. We will be working in conjunction with the Douglas County Coroner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death.

Do we know for certain that BM and SM were at home on Saturday evening? Is it possible they went for a drive together where Suzanne conducted the conversation with her friend on her phone? That maybe the car was pulled over for a discussion and that’s when Suzanne went missing? MOO

It’s an interesting loop from their home to Highlands Ranch.

 

[al66pine]

IN. Real Est. Transaction. Fishy?

....
I'm sorry my post is so unclear as I was parlaying off of a couple of posts.
#1 ...confusion as to which property was being considered in the application for SM's incapacitation hearing.
It wasn't their home in IN. That was sold over a year ago. I posted the sale by a public RE site previously but it was deleted.
#2. I don't know which property BM did get granted POA over, they have/had many, or if any other properties have been sold since.
I asked @Hair if the Dog where she/he found contract info on whichever property but haven't heard back yet, that I know of,...
#3. As to the sale to a family member? Would that be bogus? Absolutely not, totally legal.
The deed is then, also legally, transferred back to the seller on a later date and sold at the higher market value.
#4. *The big difference in this case, if it is the case, is that the seller is now the sole own
#5. I've never seen a RE broker handle both seller's and buyer's interests....[END QUOTE]
=======================
sorry I made booboo w quots.
My response is in post below.

orry I made booboo w quots.
My response is in post below.

 

[Tate123]

His truck gps data & phone data is where the truth is, regardless of what BM says.

@Ontario Mom Am I that unobservant to not realize you were a moderator and staff member or should I congratulate you on your new position and beg for mercy in advance?

 

[al66pine]

IN. Real Est. Transaction. Fishy? (see @marylamby post I quoted in my post just above)
@marylamby bbm sbm I added red # to your post. Yes, agreeing w you, lots of room for confusion, inherent in a discussion forum.
#1. I believe the prop for which BM was appt'ed as guardian was their former home. I could be wrong, and if I am, then the rest of my post is not app.
#2. Legal terminology hair splitting. BM was not granted "POA" authority by the court. He was appt'ed as guardian.
#3. A sale to fam/friend? Yes, you are right, that in and of itself, standing alone, such a sale is not bogus or illegal.
BUT why would buyer and seller agree, per-sale, that new owner/now seller would sell/transfer property back to BM? What would be point be?
If $$$ actually change hands (banks)?
BM. Why would BM sell home at a price lower than his purchase price/fed inc. tax basis? To declare a loss on home? Sorry, no cap loss deduction on home/residence, so not helpful fed inc tax wise to BM. And if BM actually pays for repurchase, then he is out of pocket more $$$.
Buyer. Why would fam/friend/new buyer agree to initially pay low px to BM, and then 'sell back' to BM for higher px? If so, then fam/friend/buyer incurs/has to declare a cap gain on fed inc. taxes, but can come out netting $$$.
But if $$$ does not actually change hands (banks)? Again, if done w r/est agent and title co, they want commission and fees. Would they participate?
And if BM reports these two transactions (his yrs-ago purchase and subsequent sale) on fed inc tax returns, seems he's filing false info on his return. And also in future yrs, when he reports sale of IN home.
#4. If we say, BM as sole owner by virtue of the G'ship, technically, legally no, but practically speaking almost imo.
#5. Can IN licensed r/e agent or broker act in 'dual agency' * capacity/for both buyer and seller? Yep in many states, but apparently prohibited in several states.
IN statute 2012 Indiana Code :: TITLE 25. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS :: ARTICLE 34.1. REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND SALESPERSONS :: CHAPTER 10. REAL ESTATE AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS
Per this, legal in IN. Free Indiana Real Estate Agent Listing Agreement - PDF | Word | eForms – Free Fillable Forms
"Agency Disclosure Form (IC 25-34.1-10-10(a)(2) & IC 25-34.1-10-11(a)(2)) – No standardized form. However, Indiana real estate agents are obligated to disclose to clients the relationship established upon entering into a listing agreement.
Limited (“Dual”) Agency (IC 25-34.1-10-12) – Legal in Indiana. The licensee may act as a dual agent, or “limited agent” as it is referred to in Indiana (IC 25-34.1-10-7), if they first obtain the written consent from each party." bbm
http://www.indianarealtors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016-12-Limited-Agency-Law.pdf
BTW, in my most recent home purchase (not in IN), the r/e agency form stated that the agent and company was not an agent or broker for either the buyer or seller. The form said they were acting on their own behalf, w no fiduciary duty to either the buyer or seller, and were acting as a facilitator only.

All this said, I have not seen any of the r/est forms/dox or any ct orders/dox, so may be mistaken re ^.
As always, welcoming comment, clarification, correction from r/est and or legal professionals.

======================================================*
* For buyers and sellers, some pro's and cons of dual agencies at Pros And Cons Of Using a Dual Agent to Help Buy a California Homeer discusses CA, but same concepts apply in other states