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

[Hair of the Dog]

Hmmmmmmm. This is a very interesting line of thought. DocuSigning RE documents is commonplace now especially from long distance. It absolutely can be forged. I agree that it would be interesting to know if the agent ever actually spoke to Suzanne.

I think the intent to sell the property is evidenced by the amount of time it was on the market. I think any disagreement may have revolved around what was to be done with the proceeds of the sale.

That may well be. The property had been listed with one agency from March to end of October 2018 (original list $980,000, with subsequent drops to $950,000; $895,000, and $840,000), then that listing agency was dropped and the home was listed at $800,000 with another agency for around 60 days (with price dropping to $795,000 at around 30 days), and then the listing returned to the original agency and was sold for $750,000 around 4 months later. (ETA: I do not know if the listing returned to the same individual agent at that agency.)

However, given the timing of the close (after SM's disappearance), the price drop in the six months before sale, the potential for conflict when the same person has served as both purchaser and seller's agent, and BM's hurry to invest those proceeds in another property, if I were LE, I'd want to independently verify a couple of things: (1) that SM knew about the transaction (Did SM ever share that info with close friends and/or members of her own family?); and (2) that the transaction was arms length (i.e. did not involve a close friend, associate, or family member of BM as either purchaser or mortgage broker).

Those are really good points. I think Suzanne did talk up the listing on her SM.

I wonder who set the price for the house, those are some pretty significant price reductions over the course of the listing. My husband and I have bought and sold a few homes over the years and conversations about price reductions can be difficult. Just waiting for a house to sell can be quite stressful. MOO

 

[susiQ]

This is from Crime Online

‘We’re in the dark’: Missing Suzanne Morphew’s family waits and worries two weeks after Colorado mom’s mysterious disappearance [EXCLUSIVE]
A relative of missing Colorado woman Suzanne Morphew says Suzanne’s family members have very little information to go on, as investigators concluded a three-day search of a residential property not far from Suzanne’s Maysville home on Sunday without finding any evidence connected to the case.

The relative said that some of Suzanne’s family members, including at least one of Suzanne’s siblings and Barry Morphew’s mother — who Suzanne is reportedly close to — traveled to the area after Suzanne was reported missing.

The relative did not know where Suzanne’s two daughters were staying, as police have taken possession of the Morphew’s home as part of the ongoing investigation.

“I think they are being protected,” the source said.

The relative said they have never seen or heard about any specific issues in the Morphew’s marriage, and that the couple seemed happy. But they did indicate that Barry could be somewhat controlling.

Lauren Scharf interviewed the Uncle and I don’t think he said anything about it.

“Everybody loves Suzanne and Barry,” family member wants Chaffee County mother’s safe return | FOX21 News Colorado

Thanks for the correction! Noted.

 

[Cindizzi]

Thanks for the correction! Noted.

I just remember seeing it on TV. I live in COS and watch Fox 21. I remember it was a Zoom or FaceTime call with the uncle and he appeared frail, on oxygen etc. I remember he only had sweet things to say about the marriage.

 

[Minordetails]

What’s in it for BM to step up to the plate now and tell the truth? He has nothing personal to gain by confessing, and everything to lose.
IMO

However, If BM truly believes in SM’s God, and embraces her Faith, then he might be convinced that there is hope for him in another world.
When BM recognizes that his life, as he knows it, is over, he’ll fess up. It’s his only hope.
IMO

 

[PaulaDC]

My personal opinion is no. Even if you back blade you can still see work was done. If you are driving down a trail it will be breaking limbs and crushing grass. Like breaking limbs on the sides and up high on trails. Even if he back bladed the tracks away, grass on the ground will be disturbed.It will leave signs something was there. I dont know how many times I have walked under trees and thought "oh I can make that" only to be slapped in the face with a limb. So MOO no it will leave signs. Even back blading on a driveway will leave signs. MOO Also think of it like this, animals and humans leave signs LE can follow through the woods and across feilds. Just think how big of a trail a piece of machinery would leave.

Are bobcat "tires/treads" like car tires that they can connect the pattern to the vehicle?

 

[Diddian]

I think the intent to sell the property is evidenced by the amount of time it was on the market. I think any disagreement may have revolved around what was to be done with the proceeds of the sale.

Those are really good points. I think Suzanne did talk up the listing on her SM.

I wonder who set the price for the house, those are some pretty significant price reductions over the course of the listing. My husband and I have bought and sold a few homes over the years and conversations about price reductions can be difficult. Just waiting for a house to sell can be quite stressful. MOO

Just so I'm clear, when you write that you think Suzanne did talk up the listing on her SM: Was that the "listing" or the "sale?"

 

[ivegotthemic]

@ivegotthemic Okay, I think I see what you mean about LDT as a tool in plea negotiating. Thx for the explanation.

yeah, sorry everyone i didnt do a really good job of explaining myself before. I have a bad habit of just assuming everyones on whatever random wavelength i am lol. Also On WS we tend to see the more sensational cases and they usually go to trial, but the vast majority of cases in criminal law get plead out. in cases of clear guilt the best the attorney can do is make sure the defendant gets a fair sentence and look for ways to help him negotiate. Case going to trial differ in that the goal is usually to get a not guilt version.

 

[Hatch]

Iirc SM was rediagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma around the time of the move to CO which was in 2018. She was due to attend a follow up appointment to her “all clear” determination on 5/11/20. Of course, we know she never made it to that appointment

So her treatments were possibly back in Indiana? Not likely she would change Oncologist, but she may have. WY is a seizure of property state regarding unpaid hospital bills as example. A friend was forced to sell his mutilgenrational ranch because of a open heart surgery with the bill coming in at about $750K they gave them X amount of time or they would seize their property. It would be interesting to know where she was taking treatments.

 

[Hair of the Dog]

Those are really good points. I think Suzanne did talk up the listing on her SM.

I wonder who set the price for the house, those are some pretty significant price reductions over the course of the listing. My husband and I have bought and sold a few homes over the years and conversations about price reductions can be difficult. Just waiting for a house to sell can be quite stressful. MOO

Just so I'm clear, when you write that you think Suzanne did talk up the listing on her SM: Was that the "listing" or the "sale?"

You are a stickler for detail @Diddian

The listing. The sale of the house was discussed extensively in earlier threads and IIRC her post about the listing said words to the effect of "Buy my house"

MOO

 

[Seattle1]

You are absolutely correct. Which is why I said I would give him a pass for the lie detector ONLY. All other things are a large problem for me (and everyone else I am sure). I have no doubt LE is looking at BM, and looking for a reason.

If by behavior alone, BM truly has no incentive to sit for an exam.

Most recently, we've heard from both PE and the private investigator interviewed by LS that a polygraph is just a tool for investigators-- it's not evidence.

From the beginning, BM's position is CCSO botched the evidence and using him to cover for their own wrongdoing (never mind any evidence they do have).

It seems to me that BM did not anticipate CBI traveling to Indiana and blowing his cover with SM's family.

I know one thing: If I suddenly learned after three months I was lied to about being cleared in the disappearance of my sister, you bet I'd be promoting a polygraph!

IMO, you gave up that right you're claiming to your privacy when you lied to me about my sister.

That's what changed for me. He lied to the family.

 

[susiQ]

So her treatments were possibly back in Indiana? Not likely she would change Oncologist, but she may have. WY is a seizure of property state regarding unpaid hospital bills as example. A friend was forced to sell his mutilgenrational ranch because of a open heart surgery with the bill coming in at about $750K they gave them X amount of time or they would seize their property. It would be interesting to know where she was taking treatments.

I think the treatments would have commenced in CO, but if anyone knows otherwise, please chime in! Thanks!

 

[LietKynes]

If by behavior alone, BM truly has no incentive to sit for an exam.

Most recently, we've heard from both PE and the private investigator interviewed by LS that a polygraph is just a tool for investigators-- it's not evidence.

From the beginning, BM's position is CCSO botched the evidence and using him to cover for their own wrongdoing (never mind any evidence they do have).

It seems to me that BM did not anticipate CBI traveling to Indiana and blowing his cover with SM's family.

I know one thing: If I suddenly learned after three months I was lied to about being cleared in the disappearance of my sister, you bet I'd be promoting a polygraph!

IMO, you gave up that right you're claiming to your privacy when you lied to me about my sister.

That's what changed for me. He lied to the family.

bbm
Great post.
Sadly, yes BM is proven to be a liar.
What else has he done ?
Imo.

 

[marylamby]

AM did not address the property dealings at all in his conversation with Mike and Chris at Profiling Evil. I wonder if SM was even aware that their Indiana house was under contract for sale before she disappeared. Closing occurred 19 days after Mother's Day (according to Zillow).

Also on Zillow, I see that the same realtor served as agent to both purchaser and seller in that transaction. I assume that LE has probably spoken with that agent to ascertain whether he had ever spoken directly to SM in association with that sale.

Purchase and Sale Agreements can be signed using online document signing programs sent to an email address provided to the real estate agent (so it is possible that one spouse-owner's signature might be faked by the other), but actual closing occurs in person, usually at a title company office.

Interesting that SM's disappearance occurred between contract for sale and actual closing.

Agree!
I mentioned this way back, when we first knew of it! Didn't know about the seller/buyer agent being the same so now it makes even more sense. This needn't be a pending sale that preceded SM's disappearance, unless someone knows where to find prior contract info and even that would be suspect.

It could've easily been set up after the fact as a sale to a 'family member' or LLC that would easily be transferred at any time. I wonder who the attorney was and if they handled both the seller and buyer and I'm sure this is BM's attorney.

Also, the sale may have been handled virtually due to Covid, no muss no fuss.

 

[Hatch]

I think the treatments would have commenced in CO, but if anyone knows otherwise, please chime in! Thanks!

So..... If a person that incurred a huge medical bill ( if this was the case) who if anybody is held responsible upon a death ? Would death clear the account? Usually there is a question on paperwork who is responsible for medical payment , I usually put myself if it applies.

 

[Hair of the Dog]

I think the treatments would have commenced in CO, but if anyone knows otherwise, please chime in! Thanks!

I think CO, someone she met at the treatment facility spoke to Lauren (?) and mentioned her girls coming with her when she was receiving treatment and seeing BM there once too. She had her follow up appointment scheduled for the day after MD so if it was in Indiana she probably would have been on her way there 5/9 or 5/10. MOO

 

[marylamby]

What I don’t think AM misremembered was the detail about the “crooked wall.” I definitely think BM told him about that, whether true or not, but I’m not sure about CS vs. Denver. I wish PE would revisit that with AM as well. As we know, “the devil is in the details.”

I doubt BM ever thought that AM would ever speak out and simply take his word for everything. And, not just AM, either.
Another thing I doubt is that BM's friends, buddies, coworkers whatever are on top of PE or LS or media so they might not even know what's been said. Maybe their wives might hip them to it all but BM would tell them that it's all bullshat and he's being FRAMED by LE, due to their ineptitude.

 

[NoSI]

Those phone records are going to have a story to tell. If his phone was on, it’s going to tell law enforcement where he was, and when he was there.

If his phone stopped moving, it’s likely to point law enforcement to areas of interest, assuming that he had no reason to be in a particular place.

If his phone was off for certain periods of time, that could hamper things substantially. I think there are going to be dead spots in his movements, where he was effectively off the grid.

May I cooy @Warwick7?

BAM! BAM! and BAM! again!

 

[jjhturbo]

Just a general and hypothetical thought -- one way to know for certain whether or not a suspect is guilty of the murder of his wife is to go up to him and say "we found your wife and she is alive!" and observe his reaction. If innocent, the reaction would be one of immense relief and joy (maybe doubt at first, but sincere joy/relief would be the eventual emotion). If guilty, the reaction would be just sheer confusion and continued confusion (masked by phony joy/relief which would be pretty obvious). Obviously, I know you can't realistically do something like this on so many fronts, esp if the spouse wasn't actually found.....and it would also be beyond cruel if the suspect is innocent, but just on a purely hypothetical note....the response/reaction to this would be very interesting.

Hoping for the best possible outcome for SM (although I fear the worst) and for the comfort of those who are having to endure this painful time of uncertainty.

 

[Hair of the Dog]

Agree!
I mentioned this way back, when we first knew of it! Didn't know about the seller/buyer agent being the same so now it makes even more sense. This needn't be a pending sale that preceded SM's disappearance, unless someone knows where to find prior contract info and even that would be suspect.

It could've easily been set up after the fact as a sale to a 'family member' or LLC that would easily be transferred at any time. I wonder who the attorney was and if they handled both the seller and buyer and I'm sure this is BM's attorney.

Also, the sale may have been handled virtually due to Covid, no muss no fuss.

IIRC the buyer bought the house on a Real Estate Contract in May, 2019 and was making payments to SM & BM. In May, 2020 the buyer qualified for take out financing to pay off the contract and BM needed the authority to sign for SM in order to sign the "fulfillment deed", put the buyers into title and cash out. MOO

 

[marylamby]

This could be too. If he was using heavy equipment or loud electric equipment he very likely wouldn't have heard it.

Or he ignored it. It was "too soon".