Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #34

[Hair of the Dog]

Which is why they sound like "flatlanders" to those of us who have lived in CO or NM or similar. People have landlines in those areas for a reason. While people are neighborly, relying on one's neighbors for emergency phone service - well - most times, it's fine - but it can also be a burden for the neighbors, as in this case (no one wants to be in the chain of responsibility for a missing person).

Would Suzanne still be alive if she had had a land line? It's hard to know - but I cringe at the vulnerability of a person - particularly a woman in a rural, isolated house, with river sounds nearby...whose cell phone is taken away or otherwise made unavailable.

I also feel for the neighbor, who got pulled in due to her reliable and neighborly ways. She has to be going through a lot.

BBM I agree that having a land line is invaluable but before we had cell phones, criminals would cut the phone line going into the house or rip the phone out of the wall to cut off communications. MOO

 

[tmar]

And Morgan didn’t explain why the job that was changed from April to May 1st was not done on Friday, May 1st. Why was it canceled twice and was it already rescheduled for Monday, May 11th? It sure sounded like JP and MG were told they were needed for the Broomfield job at the last minute and that it was not rescheduled in advance. MOO

Edit: After reading another post I remember MG did say it was just supposed to be her and then Barry “changed everything” so maybe he just asked the other two employees to work at the last minute. It’s very confusing to me though whether or not this particular job was scheduled in advance or a last minute alibi.

Perhaps BM had planned SM's murder ages ago.
His alibi was to be 'fixing the wall'.

Cancellations happened, as BM had not acted.
Finally, MD it happened, and we now have the continual drama.
BM can state, 'BUT I had planned this wall fix ages ago, unrelated to SM being missing'.
MOO.

 

[Lilypad13]

ALL RSBM

I find these Beach post (there are quite a few) somewhat haunting. I know LE searched that area for 3 days. I say haunting because if you look at the photos copied from a FB page and published in the Daily Mail, of which there are many, it’s mainly family vacay shots. Absolutely every photo is of beaches, islands, and palm trees, not one photo skiing or engaged in any winter activity, mountain biking, or biking in general.

OT…(coincidental date to be making this post, uncanny really) I always knew I’d be buried in a Catholic cemetery. That changed in recent years with the cremation of a parent. I was blown away, I never thought that option would be considered in my family. From my readings, Catholics and clergy got more comfortable with the idea of cremation because of Sept 11th. Hundreds of police and firefighters, lots of them Irish Catholics, disappeared that day with no remains to bury. We have since had the “talk’ in my household. Take me to the Atlantic Ocean, my spouse prefers going up in a firework, which isn’t a joke, it is a real option. Says he want to go out with a bang. I'd imagine other couples also made their preference known to each other.

Quite poignant to read about that on 9/11 and I wanted to add that in one of those photos you mentioned, which we’ve all seen many times by now, there is one of Suzanne standing on a river bank that could have been at that beach area. Probably not but it looks eerily similar.

Edited to remove off topic comments.

 

[lamlawindy]

I think the most damning thing from the interview is that MG was fired for giving her phone to LE. There has to be a way she can sue for wrongful termination right?

Are we sure she was an employee and not a contractor? The Fox21 report used the term "contract workers" when describing MG & JP.

 

[marylamby]

BBM I agree that having a land line is invaluable but before we had cell phones, criminals would cut the phone line going into the house or rip the phone out of the wall to cut off communications. MOO

This is true but in this particular case, that would make THE BIKE a moot point.

 

[Itsapuzzle]

Very true. I commented on this before. It’s difficult for women who don’t live under that type of rigid control to understand why a woman would tolerate it but it’s a sad fact that it happens all the time.

Agree with you there. Maybe we're dealing with a DV situation in this case. .... not a hitman, boogie man, mountain lion or drug crazed intruder .... h'mm, is this what the PE guys are alluding to?
This is a most excellent video they've put out.

 

[Teche]

Oh I agree. I believe her, but think there was a lot left out. Maybe she just didn't volunteer a lot, but there were some Doozies. Like maybe she knew more about why he was going home early on Saturday. If they had worked together for a long time she probably has an idea of how bm/sm got along, and what typical arguments might have occurred.

Plus, she doesn’t look like a meth addict.

 

[DizzyB]

Are we sure she was an employee and not a contractor? The Fox21 report used the term "contract workers" when describing MG & JP.

I’m thinking Barry didn’t have any full time employees, just contract employees that he gave 1099s to at the end of the year. Lauren seemed pretty specific. Technically, they seemed more like employees than contract workers, but I’m thinking it was easier on him this way. No employees, work when he had work to hand out. No insurance or payroll taxes to deal with.

 

[Seattle1]

I think whatever "it" was, it was something personal versus criminal. MOO

^^bbm

I've commented earlier that I believe SM willingly spent 26 years in a selfless marriage where the happiness, health, and welfare of her family were her reward.
She had miracle children and they were her life.

However, I think SM experienced an awakening when for the first-time in their relationship, SM was weak and struggling, and BM did not step up to the plate.

For all the years of SM putting him first, BM was incapable of returning the favor. IMO, it was not that SM expected BM to drop everything and become Mr. Mom, it was that BM never offered. He was void of empathy and compassion for his wife. We heard it from a cancer patient receiving treatment with SM. It was a moment, an experience, that SM lived that can never be taken back, a picture that can't be unseen.

In SM's recovery from cancer, I really believe SM came back stronger. SM had an important milestone appointment on Monday, May 11 that she would not have missed for anything.

And then there's that bizarre camping excursion to Idaho during a global pandemic that has never sat right with me! Why that weekend? They were already in glorious country for camping. It doesn't follow. In fact, Idaho discouraged incoming travel unless the purpose was for essential services.

I think the weekend alone was intentional (regardless of who planned it). I believe SM planned to use the weekend alone to tell BM she wanted to separate from him. The timing was right. Her health restored. The IN real estate balloon payment was only weeks away. SM knew the cash would be available-- perhaps she planned to reimburse herself for her inheritance dollars SM reportedly used for the downpayment of the Puma Path residence. Time was of the essence. SM needed to act now before BM would think to invest the proceeds in another project -- which he did (Salida lot purchase).

I think SM may have been receiving moral support from her best friend on Saturday morning. I think SM asked BM to come home early (maybe by noon) on Saturday --which he interpreted as "spend time with the wife." At least that's what he told MG. I also think BM sensed this was coming. And when his fear realized, BM became enraged. This was indeed personal -- all about greed. It was about money and BM was not willing to divide his kingdom. Not now, not ever. BM knew he was too old to start over, and it wasn't going to happen.

BM would go so far as to get rid of SM before he'd let this happen to him.

MOO

 

[Ontario Mom]

I replied last night on LS’ FB post of the MG interview to the very question of who the mystery guys could be. LS “liked” my reply later. Maybe? Who knows MOO

You can post the link to her page, by the way
She's definitely an approved source here.

 

[Seattle1]

Do we know how far it is from the Salida jobsite to BM/SM's house?

If he sent MG home at 1100, presumably she was offsite in 15-30 minutes tops? (It's not clear to me if she had to clean and stow any tools she had been using or if she left at 1100 sharp).

SM's conversation, via whatever media, stopped abruptly at 12:30. Unless he got home very quickly (I don't know the distance/time to drive), something must have happened almost as soon as he got home.

Someone asked before and I don't remember - do we actually know where SM was while she was communicating with her friend? Could she have been talking while outside? While biking?

ETA: no, she had to be home because that's where she was (or her phone was) the last time it pinged. I don't know when the last ping was.....

The distance from Salida to Maysville is about 11 miles -- 18 minutes, probably less.

18 min (11.5 mi) via US-50 W

 

[Seattle1]

I don't think having a landline would've made an iota of difference, not in this case.
However, I can't imagine NOT having one when you're out in mountains with unreliable cellphone service.

I've no doubt it was about control. But I also think BM shamelessly and manipulatively promoted this as his ideal, "little house on the prairie."

 

[Lilypad13]

^^bbm

I've commented earlier that I believe SM willingly spent 26 years in a selfless marriage where the happiness, health, and welfare of her family were her reward.
She had miracle children and they were her life.

However, I think SM experienced an awakening when for the first-time in their relationship, SM was weak and struggling, and BM did not step up to the plate.

For all the years of SM putting him first, BM was incapable of returning the favor. IMO, it was not that SM expected BM to drop everything and become Mr. Mom, it was that BM never offered. He was void of empathy and compassion for his wife. We heard it from a cancer patient receiving treatment with SM. It was a moment, an experience, SM lived that can never be taken back, a picture that can't be unseen.

In SM's recovery from cancer, I really believe SM came back stronger. SM had an important milestone appointment on Monday, May 11 that she would not have missed for anything.

And then there's that bizarre camping excursion to Idaho during a global pandemic that has never sat right with me! Why that weekend? They were already in glorious country for camping. It doesn't follow. In fact, Idaho discouraged incoming travel unless the purpose was for essential services.

I think the weekend alone was intentional (regardless of who planned it). I believe SM planned to use the weekend alone to tell BM she wanted to separate from him. The timing was right. Her health restored. The IN real estate balloon payment was only weeks away. SM knew the cash would be available-- perhaps she planned to reimburse herself for her inheritance dollars SM reportedly used for the downpayment of the Puma Path residence. Time was of the essence. SM needed to act now before BM would think to invest the proceeds in another project -- which he did (Salida lot purchase).

I think SM may have been receiving moral support from her best friend on Saturday morning. I think SM asked BM to come home early (maybe by noon) on Saturday --which he interpreted as "spend time with the wife." At least that's what he told MG. I also think BM sensed this was coming. And when his fear realized, BM became enraged. This was indeed personal -- all about greed. It was about money and BM was not willing to divide his kingdom. Not now, not ever. BM knew he was too old to start over, and it wasn't going to happen.

BM would go so far as to get rid of SM before he'd let this happen to him.

MOO

ITA with your excellent post!

 

[Itsapuzzle]

^^bbm

I've commented earlier that I believe SM willingly spent 26 years in a selfless marriage where the happiness, health, and welfare of her family were her reward.
She had miracle children and they were her life.

However, I think SM experienced an awakening when for the first-time in their relationship, SM was weak and struggling, and BM did not step up to the plate.

For all the years of SM putting him first, BM was incapable of returning the favor. IMO, it was not that SM expected BM to drop everything and become Mr. Mom, it was that BM never offered. He was void of empathy and compassion for his wife. We heard it from a cancer patient receiving treatment with SM. It was a moment, an experience, SM lived that can never be taken back, a picture that can't be unseen.

In SM's recovery from cancer, I really believe SM came back stronger. SM had an important milestone appointment on Monday, May 11 that she would not have missed for anything.

And then there's that bizarre camping excursion to Idaho during a global pandemic that has never sat right with me! Why that weekend? They were already in glorious country for camping. It doesn't follow. In fact, Idaho discouraged incoming travel unless the purpose was for essential services.

I think the weekend alone was intentional (regardless of who planned it). I believe SM planned to use the weekend alone to tell BM she wanted to separate from him. The timing was right. Her health restored. The IN real estate balloon payment was only weeks away. SM knew the cash would be available-- perhaps she planned to reimburse herself for her inheritance dollars SM reportedly used for the downpayment of the Puma Path residence. Time was of the essence. SM needed to act now before BM would think to invest the proceeds in another project -- which he did (Salida lot purchase).

I think SM may have been receiving moral support from her best friend on Saturday morning. I think SM asked BM to come home early (maybe by noon) on Saturday --which he interpreted as "spend time with the wife." At least that's what he told MG. I also think BM sensed this was coming. And when his fear realized, BM became enraged. This was indeed personal -- all about greed. It was about money and BM was not willing to divide his kingdom. Not now, not ever. BM knew he was too old to start over, and it wasn't going to happen.

BM would go so far as to get rid of SM before he'd let this happen to him.

MOO

Now that's an excellent theory, Seattle1, I hadn't thought of it that way before .... that SM may have planned to have the weekend with BM to discuss a separation. Very possible .... h'mmm

 

[tmar]

I don't think having a landline would've made an iota of difference, not in this case.
However, I can't imagine NOT having one when you're out in mountains with unreliable cellphone service.

Not having a landline here, causes me problems.
I often, go to my neighbours, asking them to phone me, in a few minutes, hoping I'll hear my mobile.

If it loses the charge, I am lost.
This happened once, when moving.
I had to buy another phone, and then months later, found the first, among books, I had placed into boxes.
So, always have your phone well charged!!!

 

[mumu]

We don't know that. It's possible that this was planned and that the planner was so expert that s/he could have worked around a landline.

Grabbing a cell phone as someone tries to use it, sticking it your pocket, is easy.

Grabbing a landline out of someone's hand is more likely to leave evidence of struggle. When I've been in domestic situations where I needed a phone, I didn't want to let the phone out of my grip - a cell phone can be grabbed, but with the landline, one hopes to hold onto the cord, making it impossible for the grabber to disconnect the call without leaving evidence of a struggle.

Cell phones are very easy to take away from someone and dispose of permanently. A woman who is trying to dial 911 or a friend on a landline has her hand on the receiver and the other on the cord, the strength with which a person grabs a cord leaves forensic evidence.

I figure that at some point during this crime, the perp was at least a little concerned about possible forensic evidence. Phone cords stretch and break, and in a life and death struggle, that at least leaves evidence that no handheld device can match.

That is true ! Also though, with a mobile on WiFi you can have a ob

We don't know that. It's possible that this was planned and that the planner was so expert that s/he could have worked around a landline.

Grabbing a cell phone as someone tries to use it, sticking it your pocket, is easy.

Grabbing a landline out of someone's hand is more likely to leave evidence of struggle. When I've been in domestic situations where I needed a phone, I didn't want to let the phone out of my grip - a cell phone can be grabbed, but with the landline, one hopes to hold onto the cord, making it impossible for the grabber to disconnect the call without leaving evidence of a struggle.

Cell phones are very easy to take away from someone and dispose of permanently. A woman who is trying to dial 911 or a friend on a landline has her hand on the receiver and the other on the cord, the strength with which a person grabs a cord leaves forensic evidence.

I figure that at some point during this crime, the perp was at least a little concerned about possible forensic evidence. Phone cords stretch and break, and in a life and death struggle, that at least leaves evidence that no handheld device can match.

Good point! I think I would of course like to have both. Another advantage of a handheld is that one can activate a 911 call by a button press, or call someone with the press of a button and leave the line open so the other person can hear, or activate the voice recorder (like allegedly Khashoggi did when he activated his Apple Watch as he was being murdered in the Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018). Also: I thought I remembered near the beginning, a report that she had an Apple watch she used to listen to music while biking.

 

[DizzyB]

^^bbm

I've commented earlier that I believe SM willingly spent 26 years in a selfless marriage where the happiness, health, and welfare of her family were her reward.
She had miracle children and they were her life.

However, I think SM experienced an awakening when for the first-time in their relationship, SM was weak and struggling, and BM did not step up to the plate.

For all the years of SM putting him first, BM was incapable of returning the favor. IMO, it was not that SM expected BM to drop everything and become Mr. Mom, it was that BM never offered. He was void of empathy and compassion for his wife. We heard it from a cancer patient receiving treatment with SM. It was a moment, an experience, that SM lived that can never be taken back, a picture that can't be unseen.

In SM's recovery from cancer, I really believe SM came back stronger. SM had an important milestone appointment on Monday, May 11 that she would not have missed for anything.

And then there's that bizarre camping excursion to Idaho during a global pandemic that has never sat right with me! Why that weekend? They were already in glorious country for camping. It doesn't follow. In fact, Idaho discouraged incoming travel unless the purpose was for essential services.

I think the weekend alone was intentional (regardless of who planned it). I believe SM planned to use the weekend alone to tell BM she wanted to separate from him. The timing was right. Her health restored. The IN real estate balloon payment was only weeks away. SM knew the cash would be available-- perhaps she planned to reimburse herself for her inheritance dollars SM reportedly used for the downpayment of the Puma Path residence. Time was of the essence. SM needed to act now before BM would think to invest the proceeds in another project -- which he did (Salida lot purchase).

I think SM may have been receiving moral support from her best friend on Saturday morning. I think SM asked BM to come home early (maybe by noon) on Saturday --which he interpreted as "spend time with the wife." At least that's what he told MG. I also think BM sensed this was coming. And when his fear realized, BM became enraged. This was indeed personal -- all about greed. It was about money and BM was not willing to divide his kingdom. Not now, not ever. BM knew he was too old to start over, and it wasn't going to happen.

BM would go so far as to get rid of SM before he'd let this happen to him.

MOO

Are you writing the opening statement or the closing argument in Barry’s trial? Goosies! Even down to Suzanne asking him to come home early on Saturday, before the girls came back. And the camping trip...

 

[Ontario Mom]

Are we sure she was an employee and not a contractor? The Fox21 report used the term "contract workers" when describing MG & JP.

I have heard MSM reports calling her a contractor, and yet her and BM both mention him firing her, the way you would anyone in your employ. So, it's a little misleading, but I guess you could fire your contractor? I don't know how that works, I'd assume there would be some binding contracts in place.

 

[mumu]

^^bbm

I've commented earlier that I believe SM willingly spent 26 years in a selfless marriage where the happiness, health, and welfare of her family were her reward.
She had miracle children and they were her life.

However, I think SM experienced an awakening when for the first-time in their relationship, SM was weak and struggling, and BM did not step up to the plate.

For all the years of SM putting him first, BM was incapable of returning the favor. IMO, it was not that SM expected BM to drop everything and become Mr. Mom, it was that BM never offered. He was void of empathy and compassion for his wife. We heard it from a cancer patient receiving treatment with SM. It was a moment, an experience, that SM lived that can never be taken back, a picture that can't be unseen.

In SM's recovery from cancer, I really believe SM came back stronger. SM had an important milestone appointment on Monday, May 11 that she would not have missed for anything.

And then there's that bizarre camping excursion to Idaho during a global pandemic that has never sat right with me! Why that weekend? They were already in glorious country for camping. It doesn't follow. In fact, Idaho discouraged incoming travel unless the purpose was for essential services.

I think the weekend alone was intentional (regardless of who planned it). I believe SM planned to use the weekend alone to tell BM she wanted to separate from him. The timing was right. Her health restored. The IN real estate balloon payment was only weeks away. SM knew the cash would be available-- perhaps she planned to reimburse herself for her inheritance dollars SM reportedly used for the downpayment of the Puma Path residence. Time was of the essence. SM needed to act now before BM would think to invest the proceeds in another project -- which he did (Salida lot purchase).

I think SM may have been receiving moral support from her best friend on Saturday morning. I think SM asked BM to come home early (maybe by noon) on Saturday --which he interpreted as "spend time with the wife." At least that's what he told MG. I also think BM sensed this was coming. And when his fear realized, BM became enraged. This was indeed personal -- all about greed. It was about money and BM was not willing to divide his kingdom. Not now, not ever. BM knew he was too old to start over, and it wasn't going to happen.

BM would go so far as to get rid of SM before he'd let this happen to him.

MOO

OR... she did talk to him that night and that is why he looked like he 'had the worst night of his life' the next morning. And then he took action....

 

[tmar]

^^bbm

I've commented earlier that I believe SM willingly spent 26 years in a selfless marriage where the happiness, health, and welfare of her family were her reward.
She had miracle children and they were her life.

However, I think SM experienced an awakening when for the first-time in their relationship, SM was weak and struggling, and BM did not step up to the plate.

For all the years of SM putting him first, BM was incapable of returning the favor. IMO, it was not that SM expected BM to drop everything and become Mr. Mom, it was that BM never offered. He was void of empathy and compassion for his wife. We heard it from a cancer patient receiving treatment with SM. It was a moment, an experience, that SM lived that can never be taken back, a picture that can't be unseen.

In SM's recovery from cancer, I really believe SM came back stronger. SM had an important milestone appointment on Monday, May 11 that she would not have missed for anything.

And then there's that bizarre camping excursion to Idaho during a global pandemic that has never sat right with me! Why that weekend? They were already in glorious country for camping. It doesn't follow. In fact, Idaho discouraged incoming travel unless the purpose was for essential services.

I think the weekend alone was intentional (regardless of who planned it). I believe SM planned to use the weekend alone to tell BM she wanted to separate from him. The timing was right. Her health restored. The IN real estate balloon payment was only weeks away. SM knew the cash would be available-- perhaps she planned to reimburse herself for her inheritance dollars SM reportedly used for the downpayment of the Puma Path residence. Time was of the essence. SM needed to act now before BM would think to invest the proceeds in another project -- which he did (Salida lot purchase).

I think SM may have been receiving moral support from her best friend on Saturday morning. I think SM asked BM to come home early (maybe by noon) on Saturday --which he interpreted as "spend time with the wife." At least that's what he told MG. I also think BM sensed this was coming. And when his fear realized, BM became enraged. This was indeed personal -- all about greed. It was about money and BM was not willing to divide his kingdom. Not now, not ever. BM knew he was too old to start over, and it wasn't going to happen.

BM would go so far as to get rid of SM before he'd let this happen to him.

MOO

When, you are in need of help, you want your family, friends to be supportive.
SM found BM was not supportive, following her illness, and her feelings altered towards him.

The following is not, as important as SM's illness, but shows are feelings change, over incidents :
Recently, a young dog, I had just purchased, 'ran away'.
I was a mess, searching everywhere.

I asked, my close friend, who was at my home when this occurred, to help me with flyers etc.
When this request, was not followed through, I realized, I no longer wanted, such a friend.
I certainly, would have helped, if my friend made such a request.