Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #29

[Diddian]

FWIW....I don't think this is the same one you are looking for but it may help. Not a drone a helicopter. Video looks like it's 13 minutes long.

Missing Mother: Video Shows Remote Area Where Suzanne Morphew Was Reportedly Biking When She Disappeared

Thank you so much!

That's the video I remember. Off to explore. (I did note that it looks like there is a newly planted tree with darker soil in the root zone than the surrounding soil at the edge of driveway close to those stone steps that lead from patio area to stone path that has multiple switchbacks as it winds it way down the hill...)

 

[Boxer]

DBM duplicate

 

[al66pine]

ArcGIS is an IT mapping tool that can put cumbersome data into a friendlier format, such as a map.
St. Petersburg, Florida Police use it. Instead of reading a bunch of addresses connected to LE issues, a user friendly map is generated.
ArcGIS is a product of ESRI. (I wish I knew how to copy a link.)MOO

@Brubon Any of this info help explain?
GIS Mapping Software, Location Intelligence & Spatial Analytics | Esri
About Esri | The Science of Where.
About ArcGIS | Mapping & Analytics Platform
ArcGIS Online | Cloud-Based GIS Mapping Software
Living Atlas of the World | ArcGIS.
Lots of info and vids too, but IDK which, if any, are relevant.

 

[Error505]

There is a LOT of stonework on the Morphew property. If LE had strong suspicion that SM might be somewhere under it, I assume they'd have to narrow down a location; I can't imagine they would just go digging it all up. If LE hasn't already, I hope to God they can get some cadaver dogs on that property and some cellphone location data to narrow the range of possibilities.

If SM is deceased, those who cared about her deserve to put her properly to rest.

P.S. I swear that I previously saw a longer video of the drone footage than is provided on the Profiling Evil website. Does anyone know where that longer video (when the drone circles the property multiple times) might be accessed?

This is chopper video approximately 13 minutes long, Morphew residence footage by NBC

 

[Snowflake_Sue]

If there was machinery that had those long tracks instead of wheels and a low cabin, they would check under them during a search, right?

I was wondering the same. I've watched the drone footage of the house a few times, with the trailer and bobcat sitting beside it in the driveway. I too hope LE checked underneath for any fresh excavation (which BM would have had plenty of opportunity to conceal, being a landscaper). He certainly had time to rake over any tracks and footprints. And, dig a deep hole. The driveway surface looks to be some soft material, ie not concrete. It wasn't there when they bought the house so likely he laid the stuff.

 

[Dr.StClements]

There is a LOT of stonework on the Morphew property. If LE had strong suspicion that SM might be somewhere under it, I assume they'd have to narrow down a location; I can't imagine they would just go digging it all up. If LE hasn't already, I hope to God they can get some cadaver dogs on that property and some cellphone location data to narrow the range of possibilities.

If SM is deceased, those who cared about her deserve to put her properly to rest.

P.S. I swear that I previously saw a longer video of the drone footage than is provided on the Profiling Evil website. Does anyone know where that longer video (when the drone circles the property multiple times) might be accessed?

There was footage taken over a much longer period of time. I saw it when the early LE reports came out about searching the Morphew house. I hadn't at that point viewed the PE website at all (wasn't aware of it).
Apologies - I don't have a link, but it might be worth going back to search early LE helicopter/drone footage, rather than look for it on PE w/s. The footage they have is MUCH briefer - the original seemed to go on forever.

 

[Cindizzi]

ArcGIS is an IT mapping tool that can put cumbersome data into a friendlier format, such as a map.
St. Petersburg, Florida Police use it. Instead of reading a bunch of addresses connected to LE issues, a user friendly map is generated.
ArcGIS is a product of ESRI.
(I wish I knew how to copy a link.)
MOO

ESRI stands for Environmental Systems Research Institute
Mike from Profiling Evil is affiliated with them.

King is the Global Director of Fraud and Emergency Communications Solutions for Esri, the leader of geographic information systems.

Mike King - Board Member

 

[Snowflake_Sue]

The bobcat had tape tied to it. If it was landscapers tape ie put there by BM, then it would "appear" that the bobcat at least hasn't been moved since before Suzanne's disappearance. If it was LE tape, I hope they've checked under the bobcat and trailer with cadaver dogs and probes.

 

[Diddian]

So...can someone help me out with the backhoe/Bobcat/whatchamacallit?

Do I have my facts straight? Bobcat was at the Morphew property when seen by helicopter? Yes?

So BM most likely had access to it on May 9-10?

Was there another piece of excavation equipment at the worksite in Salida (where the search was done)? Or is that entirely conjecture based on the neighbor hearing noise?

BM had a way of transporting the Bobcat, right? (Someone posted about this earlier). Something about there being a trailer for the Bobcat?

Thanks in advance for any help understanding importance of Bobcat.

In the photographs when CBI was searching the worksite property, I remember seeing three pieces of earthmoving type machinery at one edge of that site: a large excavator (the type that swivels on its base above the tracks) and two smaller skid steers - a yellow or mustard colored one and a white or off-white one similar to that seen in photographs of the Morphew property on one of the days that home was searched.

Visible at about the 0:49 mark and about the 2:00 mark:

 

[Dr.StClements]

There is a LOT of stonework on the Morphew property. If LE had strong suspicion that SM might be somewhere under it, I assume they'd have to narrow down a location; I can't imagine they would just go digging it all up. If LE hasn't already, I hope to God they can get some cadaver dogs on that property and some cellphone location data to narrow the range of possibilities.

If SM is deceased, those who cared about her deserve to put her properly to rest.

P.S. I swear that I previously saw a longer video of the drone footage than is provided on the Profiling Evil website. Does anyone know where that longer video (when the drone circles the property multiple times) might be accessed?

I meant to say thank you for posting this information - excellent sleuthing
LE used different dogs (according to the Sherriff) when they did the first search of the Morphew house. I took that to mean they used both live scent and cadaver dogs. I don't know about the second search; I'm guessing that - because this LE department seems so very efficient - they likely did use dogs at the subsequent search too.

 

[Dr.StClements]

I know I'm going back a bit and I'm sure someone had to address this but, as ridiculous of a statement that it is for many reasons, exactly what could someone be saved from?
Riding a 'bike'? Being abducted? Mountain lion attacks? A psychotic husband's rage? What?
Should everyone become a hermit, lock their doors, make sure their damn surveillance cameras are working, obey their overbearing husbands?
All facetiousness aside, what possible reason would someone say that - and I'm not even talking about how crass that is to say about one's 'missing' wife.
I mean, she wasn't playing with matches. I don't understand what lesson is to be learned that a person could be saved from. What the heck is wrong with his mind.

IMO his mind/personality is disordered.
BM sees himself - not his wife - as the victim right now.

 

[Snowflake_Sue]

IMO his mind/personality is disordered.
BM sees himself - not his wife - as the victim right now.

Poor Barry Bobcat, must be frustrating all these intelligent people looking at him instead of finding his wife. Whatever grief he's going through isn't cutting the mustard any longer. Even innocence isn't going to win BM my support now. At best he's hiking in the woods with his buddies, laying down in some bluff, fantasising the biggest bobcat (he can own outright) when the money comes through.

 

[Seattle1]

CO - CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #26
^^See the entire post quoted by OP for clarity at link #26 above.

SBM
Bold by OP
@Seattle1

I hope you don't mind my putting you on the spot. (And apologies for the late reply <modsnip>)

IINAL and all that, but to me it seems like the point of notifying other people, such as the legal-age daughter or the parents, about the guardianship situation is specifically to address the issue that you are trying to address.

They are supposed to speak for the missing person. They are allowed and encouraged to have legal counsel themselves.

Wouldn't such persons be better suited to speak for and protect the missing person than a lawyer that likely never met the missing person?

Wouldn't they also be best suited to understand the family dynamics of the missing person in order to determine where intervention is needed?

Should it always be assumed that guardianship is against the best interests of the missing person?

I don't know the answer but I'm curious to hear your thoughts if you care to share.

Or, if your point was just about providing a free lawyer, then I misunderstood and nevermind.

@RumorMonger,
I don't believe I've had the privilege to know you or your posts so I apologize in advance if I get this wrong.

But before I advance one keystroke further, I have to say that I'm absolutely dumbfounded by OP's ability to retrieve my post of 18 August from three (3) locked threads ago. BRAVO??!!!

I'm sure I speak for others in desiring OP's knowledge of how to quote archived posts from a locked thread. Please tell! My practice limits me to only linking my locked posts from thread #26 (linked above for clarity).

I'm also not sure about this "putting me on the spot."
When one is addressed directly, is the courtesy of a reply not required?
(Don't say it-- probably another redundant British practice)...

OK, getting back to your stated assumptions that people that know the respondent and the family dynamics are supposed to speak for the missing person and protect their interest, and they are allowed and encouraged to have legal counsel themselves, I agree in part, and offer the following:

To be clear, my quoted posts on the matter of guardianship for a missing person are not intended to challenge or allege in any form that BM has done anything illegal or underhanded by petitioning for guardianship of SM.

I cannot find fault with BM, or any other petitioner, for using the only law available to them under the circumstances of a missing wife. That would make no sense to me.

However, what I am doing in this post is using BM's petition, and his circumstances, to further my opinion that serious flaws exist in the Indiana State Statute providing for guardianship of missing persons.

Indiana Law defines who is entitled to notice that a petition has been filed for your loved one and that a guardianship hearing has been scheduled. If you're not entitled to be notified, there is no provision in the IC for a guardianship petition hearing regarding your loved one to be publically advertised to alert or otherwise notify interested parties such as, in this case, SM's father, siblings, Godmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.. People, that as you stated, are best suited to understand the family dynamics of the missing person in order to determine where intervention is needed.

More specifically, IC 29-3-6-1(a) states:

(4) If it is alleged that the person is an incapacitated person, notice of the petition and the hearing on the petition shall be given to the following persons whose whereabouts can be determined upon reasonable inquiry:

(A) The alleged incapacitated person, the alleged incapacitated person's spouse, and the alleged incapacitated person's adult children, or if none, the alleged incapacitated person's parents.

Applying the Indiana guardianship rules pursuant to IC 29-3-6-1(a) to BM's circumstances and petition for guardianship of his wife, only two people were required notified that the serious issue of guardianship of SM was even before the Indiana court. I don't understand how any intervention, as you stated, would be possible under this law.

(A) The alleged incapacitated person [SM], [missing, cannot be notified],
the alleged incapacitated person's spouse [BM],
and the alleged incapacitated person's adult children [MM],
or if none, the alleged incapacitated person's parents [not applicable].

According to public records, BM filed a Petition to Establish Guardianship of SM and other documents including Consent of Interested Party in Hamilton County, IN, on June 1, 2020 - only weeks after SM was reported missing. Court records also indicate a Motion was filed to Waive the Hearing, and by Court Order, BM was granted Temporary Guardianship of SM on June 5, 2020.

In the Hamilton Superior Court 1, Hamilton County, Indiana
Case No. 29D01-2006-GU-000096

A Guardianship Has been established for:
Suzanne R. Morphew
Incapacitated Adult/Minor
Year of Birth: 1971
Guardianship Type: Temporary

Guardian(s) Guardianship Of Issue Date Expiration Date
Barry L. Morphew Individual and Estate
6/5/2020
9/3/2020

https://public.courts.in.gov/grp/Search/Detail/187708?Detail=True
Indiana Supreme Court public access case search - MyCase

Since June 5, 2020, BM has had Letters of Guardianship for SM, empowering him to have full control over his Ward's (wife) entire estate without anybody ever knowing except for his adult daughter (and/or anyone BM chose to tell or confide in).

Reportedly, none of SM's family had any knowledge whatsoever that the issue of SM's guardianship was before any court! If not for a reporter reaching an unnamed sibling, seeking any comment about BM selling real estate located in Hamilton County, IN while SM was missing, it's quite likely they still would not know that BM was granted guardianship by court order.

Again, let me be clear that according to Indiana law, BM had/has no legal requirement and was under no obligation to inform anybody about his petition for guardianship except for his adult daughter, who also provided her consent. BM was guided by the law for missing persons, and it's my position that Indian law fails to protect missing persons including SM.

It's my opinion that Indiana law approving a grieving spouse and adult child--probably in shock, to consent to life-changing decisions on behalf of their missing wife and mother (pretty much in secret), less than a month since she vanished does not adequately protect the missing, respondent. I believe it was the fore founders of probate court that recognized the need to prohibited certain actions for six months as a safeguard to protect the grieving from bad decisions during a fragile period.

To answer your last question, I do not believe the solution here is "just providing a free lawyer."

I've made other suggestions on what I think the Indiana General Assembly might consider changing in a subsequent post in closed Thread #26, linked below.

CO - CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #26

CO - CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #26

MOO

 

[citygirl]

I'm mostly a lurker here, and I've tried hard to remain objective in terms of BM despite certain gut feelings. However, I am pretty certain he's responsible. Here is the most objective information that has brought me to this conclusion:

1. The sheriff has said this is an open criminal investigation, so that rules out an accident, animal attack, or her leaving on her own accord. This leaves either a kidnapping or a murder with her body removed from the home. Because no description of Suzanne was released by the police to the media, this implies that the police have evidence that a kidnapping did not occur. This leaves murder with her body removed from the home as the only remaining option.
2. BM said in the video with TD that his name had been cleared. However, on July 9, LE said that they had not formally ruled out anyone from suspicion.
3. The Morphew house has been searched twice, with sealed search warrants (which require a judge to agree with law enforcement that there is probable cause that evidence of criminal activity will be found) obtained for each search and evidence removed.
4. One of BM's job sites (where he was recently hired to lay dirt) has been searched, which also was done using a search warrant.
5. BM says he has not been asked to take a polygraph exam. However, SM's family says he has been asked twice to do so and has refused both times. I don't know why her family (who do not live nearby) would lie, and I don't think that LS (the reporter) would have stated this in her article if she had any doubts about the veracity of this statement.
6. In same LS interview with a family member of SM, it was said that the data collected from BM's truck didn't match up. Again, I trust LS to only report this if she had confidence in its truth.


I'm probably forgetting some important things here. There is also PLENTY of less objective information that supports the idea that BM is behind SM's disappearance.

The other theories I've considered all have problems. For example, maybe it was a stranger who entered the house. This makes the bike staging hard to explain, as well as the perfect timing with BM and the girls gone. It could have been a friend of SM's or BM's or one of the girls who knew SM would be alone that day, but why then would they hide the body AND stage the bike?

I haven't yet heard a good theory that fits the few known facts of the case that really would absolve BM, but I'd love to hear one. IMOO.

Could not have outlined it any better.
Great summary.
MOO.

 

[katydid23]

Someone is threatening your family. So, leave your wife completely alone to go redo and old job?

And you don't bother to get the surveillance cameras working ?

 

[MsBetsy]

Short answer: Yes, GPS can find you where there is no cell service. To be really accurate, someone explained in an earlier thread that the GPS needs to be unobstructed to more than one satellite. It's rare to be entirely without GPS in the mountains, which is what PLB's are based on.

All Androids and Apple phones have onboard GPS that works when the phone is powered on, whether or not there's cell service. Most google apps send that information to the cloud as the phone travels (to Google servers).

So, BM would need to keep turning his phone on and off (in between texts and phone calls) to evade GPS detection (I hate giving instructions for these kinds of things). But that behavior would be so suspicious in and of itself as to constitute some good evidence against BM. Most people would know not to do that. So, I believe BM's phone will show him heading up toward Denver early in the morning (but whether it shows him at any particular place that could be a work place is another matter). Then, it will show him getting texts, making phone calls prior to 6 pm.

Does the phone show any stops along the way? Is there enough data in the phone to show that? If no cell service, perhaps hard to know.

It's been interesting to me that LE closed the road heading away from Denver (from the Morphew residence) to conduct an approximately day long search. What made them do that? Did BM do some driving around more locally before heading to Denver? Did he perhaps leave for Denver much later than 5 am?

Did he really go to Denver? I can say that if I were AM and had heard from CSI that BM's story about his whereabouts didn't add up, that would be enough for me personally to be extremely upset with BM.

At any rate, my guess is that GPS will be key in this case. There's an interesting podcast about a murder in California that hinged on GPS: To Live and Die in LA. Wherein, the murderer didn't realize just how much GPS could show...and where it is stored.

Thank you. That clears up a few things for me. I couldn't remember if the GPS data the PE guys referred to was from the phone or the truck.

So as long as the phone is powered on, the GPS works even if there is no cell phone service. I do believe BM went to Denver for some reason or another. I would think he would want there to be evidence that he was there that day. It places him a couple of hours away from the scene of the crime.

Whether he got back at 6:00 pm or at 9:00 pm, he had plenty of time to do more than just prep a job for his workers. There must be many secluded areas where he could have stopped along the way.

Imo

 

[katydid23]

In a circumstantial evidence case, if the girls vouch for their dad in front of a jury saying he loved and respected their mother, and there was never any evidence of domestic violence, will the daughters’ statements have any weight?

They will have as much weight as the jury gives them. They will take into account ALL of the evidence. And if they believe the girls loved their Dad, and couldn't bring themselves to help send him to prison, they may not give the testimony that much weight. JMO

 

[katydid23]

A follow question, If the daughters would give some form of a statement, vouching for BM, would they be subject to cross examination by the prosecution?

YES, they would be crossed. However the state cannot be seen as harassing the girls, or that could hurt their case. So they might just let it go?

 

[Deleted member 271195]

Thank You. You have been very helpful. Before I made the post I read up on the threads here. It was a bit scary because it seemed everyone felt like Barry was guilty and I thought I would get eyerolls when I posted my theory but you have been so patient with your answers.
I can't explain why I feel BM is not guilty but I do. Waiting on some physical evidence before I jump to the guilty side.

 

[gitana1]

i agree, @MassGuy. so far, that's the only (relatively new, from 16 hours ago) available info about it. it's always stunning how many accidental dead bodies are found, while on the look-out for one.

eta: there is another unidentified body in pueblo that was found yesterday, but it seems like we would have heard from that one, as well, if it had any significance to SM's case.

The focus on excavating the property he worked at and his comment about the bobcat has me very afraid that this will be just like Kelsey Berreth- nothing left to find.