Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #42

[MsBetsy]

I had a slightly different interpretation of what AM was saying. I think he was saying that this was not the work or a rapist or robber or mountain lion, etc. they do not go to this level of effort to hide their victims. This was the one of one person intent on going to extremes to make sure SM could not be found. JMO

This is the impression I've had from the beginning. The PE guys seem to think that others are involved or they have information and need to come forward, but I think the perp did this on his own and was meticulous in covering his tracks. I don't think he would have trusted anyone to help, and most of all, he wouldn't want anyone knowing he would even think of committing such a horrible act.

 

[Birmingplumb]

Moving forward: The dogs hit on rocks as far as I know and soil. We learned it was not on usual suspects property- but did he contract with owners to do work? If so we could conclude residue from shovel on rocks- if not he still could have been there unannounced at night with bobcat or we can lazily just say it was not him and dogs are wrong without verifying his whereabouts ? Any dog handlers want to chime in on assumption that rocks or soil could still contain a detectable scent if in bobcat ?

 

[MsBetsy]

IMO, I absolutely believe that the The Suzanne Morphew Missing Person Investigative Task Force (named by Sheriff Spezze in his press release 9/29) is committed to this case. I also believe it's important for these investigators when they get to put a real face to a anguished loved one to refocus themselves. Not that they aren't focused but I would imagine it's a team moral boost that's needed at times.

I felt heavy hearted last night when AM was talking about his debriefing with LE. I pictured a meeting with a ton of sympathy towards AM and his family, with a please trust us even though we can't tell you much/anything, we're committed to your sister tone.

My gosh I hope that AM knows and believes that what he pulled off, in that terrain especially, over 6 days, was incredible. I remember seeing videos of him talking to searchers, briefing and motivating them, he was a LEADER. Nice work.

Yes, he and everyone involved did a tremendous job. AM can now return home knowing that he did everything he could to find his sister. I can't think of anything more he could have done. I hope that gives him some comfort.

 

[swedeheart]

Volunteer search for Suzanne Morphew comes to an end, no evidence found in connection to case

CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. — The volunteer search for Suzanne Morphew, who was reported missing May 10, has ended and despite hundreds of volunteers lending their resources and time, the teams didn't uncover any evidence related to the case, according to Chaffee County authorities.

Hundreds of volunteers from around Colorado and beyond showed up to help with the search, which began on Sept. 24. The search was organized by Morphew's brother, Andrew Moorman, who traveled from Indiana to spearhead the effort. He said he believes his sister was murdered.
<modsnipped copyright infringement- only 10% of article is allowed to be copied and pasted>

(more at link.)

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

IMO, I absolutely believe that the The Suzanne Morphew Missing Person Investigative Task Force (named by Sheriff Spezze in his press release 9/29) is committed to this case. I also believe it's important for these investigators when they get to put a real face to a anguished loved one to refocus themselves. Not that they aren't focused but I would imagine it's a team moral boost that's needed at times.

I felt heavy hearted last night when AM was talking about his debriefing with LE. I pictured a meeting with a ton of sympathy towards AM and his family, with a please trust us even though we can't tell you much/anything, we're committed to your sister tone.

My gosh I hope that AM knows and believes that what he pulled off, in that terrain especially, over 6 days, was incredible. I remember seeing videos of him talking to searchers, briefing and motivating them, he was a LEADER. Nice work.

I too noticed how AM seemed to become a natural leader when he was speaking to the volunteers. I was very impressed watching him.

I heard this the other day & it pertains to AM IMO.
“Heroes aren’t born to be heroes. Heroes just step up when/where needed.“
AM has most definitely stepped up for SM’s sake.

 

[LietKynes]

As others have said, and eloquently, even thought the search did not locate Suzanne, it was no fail. In fact, it brings a full clarity -- only someone who has hidden her this well has a reason and that points to one person alone.

I suspect we'll come to learn eventually that somewhere between about 1 and 5 am on Mother's Day that someone used a vehicle without tracking....

Still, dogs did hit upon various locations. Only that someone knows why. Chances are that that someone was at all those locations. Maybe digging deeper. Maybe doing legitimate work but with an illegitimate Bobcat, laced with the scent of death.

We can't forget that that someone was likely following along closely to the events of the past six days. With cameras, plants.... he got an education too. Bet he didn't know his Bobcat was leaving sign all over the place. He may rethink his resting place. An unnamed POI with time at his disposal may be inspired to move about the land freely, believe no one is watching and try to outthink himself.

EVERYWHERE he goes, EVERYTHING he touches, EVERY ROCK HE MOVES has the potential to be A BEACON.

This isn't over.

But it WILL be over for him. In time.

We wait.

JMO

bbm
This ! ^^^^
Great post !

Also the same explanation I was thinking about re. the scent of decomp in various places.
And remember he had to mention doing a "mechanical thing to his bobcat", unnecessary but still stupid enough to drop clues in his babbling.

This is speculation only : LE are probably keeping a very close eye on not only BM but his companions, including those presently living with him.
Imo.

 

[A2FMNST]

Tough emotional day yesterday.

I’m starting today with hope.

Remember to hug your loved ones today and tell them how much they mean to you.

 

[LietKynes]

I had a slightly different interpretation of what AM was saying. I think he was saying that this was not the work of a rapist or robber or mountain lion, etc. they do not go to this level of effort to hide their victims. This was the work of one person intent on going to extremes to make sure SM could not be found. JMO

Good points. ^^^
Yes, I see what you mean -- and such random types of criminals can now be eliminated.
And the mountain lion was 'cleared' early on.
Not that LE ever thought this was a possibility, at least in Suzanne's case.

About BM's statement to TD that those big cats will drag their prey up hill (what a gruesome way to describe your beloved wife--as 'prey' ); makes me think he did use the bobcat in some fashion and she may well be up in the mountains or foothills.

Thank AM for his efforts and LE whom I believe are going to get their man.
We know so much more now, including what didn't happen to Suzanne !

 

[Boxer]

The CCSO still did not have a press conference. Only written statements.

It should be standard operating procedure.
Maybe the they are unaware that other departments around the country give formal reports by PC to the public on the status of their major investigation, even if it is to say "no new developments."

Can their county fix this? It should not be elective to make regular organized reports on major cases and the associated use of tax money.

 

[Queasy Gumshoe]

This may have already been answered but I have several questions.
- is the bobcat in custody? Was the bobcat examine by dogs.. corpse detecting dogs?
- were the towels from the hotel saved and taken into custody?
- the timeline makes no sense to me, why leave at 5 am to check into a hotel, why not just go straight to the location, start the work and the check in after a days work?
- did dogs hit on the concrete driveway or was that just an assumption?
- was Barry on deadline for the Denver retaining wall? Sounds like it still hasn’t been fixed. To me it sounds as if it was on a to do list that happen to help him with alibi that day.
- have the owners of the retaining wall be interviewed by press?
- Most homes nowadays have video surveillance ...,. Especially an million dollar home in the mountains, has there been any mention of recovering that?
- Do you think the bike was dusted for dna and fingerprints?
- has Barry’s old truck been impounded, search/inspected by dogs?
- do the police have access to both phones? And where they last pinged?
- And my last, who are the witnesses who saw her on her bike that morning??? Have they since revealed they might have been mistaken?
I know it’s a LOT to ask, but any answers would be appreciated. I live in Denver and this story breaks my heart by the fact that it’s not getting the press other cases in the past have had. Thanks!

 

[MoeInVA]

Who are the promoters? TIA.

The YouTubers. Rallying and inspiring the searchers has value, getting them excited has value. I just hope AM wasn’t given false hope. Also, I do still hope that some of the evidence they found helps. JMO

 

[On Track]

Seems to me, someone knows more. Hoping they will share with the tip line and LE after feeling encouraged to do that. Guessing some individual(s) close to the perpetrator ...maybe friend, work associate, <modsnip>... might know something more about activity on, say, May 8 and 9, maybe even before then. Hoping the tremendous coverage that stemmed from Andy's big volunteer search will help with this.

 

[LietKynes]

Moving forward: The dogs hit on rocks as far as I know and soil. We learned it was not on usual suspects property- but did he contract with owners to do work? If so we could conclude residue from shovel on rocks- if not he still could have been there unannounced at night with bobcat or we can lazily just say it was not him and dogs are wrong without verifying his whereabouts ? Any dog handlers want to chime in on assumption that rocks or soil could still contain a detectable scent if in bobcat ?

Ita.
It would be veerrryy interesting to know if BM did work at those locations.
Another question : Would a person in BM's line of work ever hire out their machinery or have an employee do some work using BM's bobcat ?

And did anything come of that truck with the damage to it ? I was assuming it was BM's truck or had some connection to him.

If that particular person whom WS'ers are interested in, aka possible poi is reading this --WE are not giving up !
LE is not giving up.
Andy Moorman is not giving up.
And you have not been cleared by LE, and they never said this, so you essentially lied to who knows how many people.
We will continue to look for Suzanne and find answers.
MOO

 

[steeltowngirl]

Yes, he and everyone involved did a tremendous job. AM can now return home knowing that he did everything he could to find his sister. I can't think of anything more he could have done. I hope that gives him some comfort.

Every woman needs a brother like Andy Moorman.

jmo

 

[MrsWatson]

@Queasy Gumshoe I always find it helpful to start with the media thread when I want to get up to date on a case. I think you'll find some of your answers there. @oviedo does a wonderful job, keeping it up to date.


CO - CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 , MEDIA,MAPS,TIMELINE *NO DISCUSSION*

 

[LietKynes]

Dbm.
Went to check the media thread again.

 

[steeltowngirl]

This may have already been answered but I have several questions.
- is the bobcat in custody? Was the bobcat examine by dogs.. corpse detecting dogs?
- were the towels from the hotel saved and taken into custody?
- the timeline makes no sense to me, why leave at 5 am to check into a hotel, why not just go straight to the location, start the work and the check in after a days work?
- did dogs hit on the concrete driveway or was that just an assumption?
- was Barry on deadline for the Denver retaining wall? Sounds like it still hasn’t been fixed. To me it sounds as if it was on a to do list that happen to help him with alibi that day.
- have the owners of the retaining wall be interviewed by press?
- Most homes nowadays have video surveillance ...,. Especially an million dollar home in the mountains, has there been any mention of recovering that?
- Do you think the bike was dusted for dna and fingerprints?
- has Barry’s old truck been impounded, search/inspected by dogs?
- do the police have access to both phones? And where they last pinged?
- And my last, who are the witnesses who saw her on her bike that morning??? Have they since revealed they might have been mistaken?
I know it’s a LOT to ask, but any answers would be appreciated. I live in Denver and this story breaks my heart by the fact that it’s not getting the press other cases in the past have had. Thanks!

We really don’t know what evidence LE has, and we likely will not until this case goes (hopefully) to trial.

We do know that the Puma Path home security system was said to not be working. We don’t know if it was broken or purposely disabled.

BM’s vehicle was taken by LE. Not sure which vehicle, but AM believes that LE obtained GPS or EVI evidence.

Agree with the timeline not making sense. That is, in part, what makes BM’s movements that weekend very suspicious.

Finally, the media didn’t cover this story as well as we would have liked. LS of Fox21 did a tremendous job, but was pulled off prior to the weekend search. The PE guys (despite some on-camera drama) kept the story in the spotlight and offered great assistance to Andy in terms of public outreach.

 

[DizzyB]

I believe exposure drives the case forward. Yes, I know, LE works their case regardless of press coverage or local interest. But I do believe that pressure from external forces-including elected officials who have a constituency to answer to-can assist in a case.

 

[Fireflize]

Seems to me, someone knows more. Hoping they will share with the tip line and LE after feeling encouraged to do that. Guessing some individual(s) close to the perpetrator ...maybe friend, work associate, <modsnip>... might know something more about activity on, say, May 8 and 9, maybe even before then. Hoping the tremendous coverage that stemmed from Andy's big volunteer search will help with this.

Agree with you.
All my opinion only:
I can imagine that someone does know something, after the fact. BM has a tendency to explain, like we saw with TS in Gannon's case.
Listen...let me show you what happened...
He draws people and attention to himself like a magnet to fill the bottomless pit of his ego. He needs them like he needs air.

I think that he will have known in advance that LE would question certain things and gone to those in his circle with pre-slained excuses, that at the time were believed. But these excuses will be proved false as time goes on. I expect the Broomfield alibi to crumble. Like the non-existent Denver fireman training. Like the bike ride. Not everyone in his circle are going to remain on his bandwagon.

Moo

 

[Hoosierfan72]

For a no body case I think they would need either solid proof that SM is deceased, such as a large amount of blood, a bone fragment, etc, or a confession to either LE or to another person. They may already have a lot of circumstantial evidence, but apparently not enough... at this time.

While I think that would be very helpful, IMO, I'm not sure it's absolutely necessary. While I agree that any defense would certain try to establish reasonable doubt along those lines - what would the theory be? That she staged her disappearance (and, in the process, essentially framed her husband) and ran off willingly? That this is a modern-day Overboard story and she bumped her head and got amnesia and is living with a kind hillbilly somewhere, having no clue who she is? That she was kidnapped, with no demands or trace left behind? I think any scenario in which SM is alive is far-fetched at this point (which is another outcome of this exhaustive search - rules out a 'bump her head, is confused, gets in the water or wanders into the wilderness' scenario). It's certainly helpful to have those things and I think any prosecutor will be patient, hoping something like that surfaces - but if the rest of the circumstantial evidence is strong enough, I don't believe they need absolute proof she is deceased to move forward with charges. JMO, MOO.