Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #6

[Boxer]

Moving from Iowa to Hawaii sounds like heaven.
I think it’s still odd though with the M family. In your situation, you had multiple kids and were in Maui. Not a remote, isolated home with one teen. Just seems like a lonely existence for a sole high school student.

Agree. Moving from a small town with deep roots and friends to a remote mountain community for any reason less than necessity doesn't make sense.
The younger daughter was no doubt looking forward to graduating with friends from her sister's, parents' and grandparents' high school.

 

[Bridger]

I can see I'm in the minority here (heck, maybe a minority of one), but this whole thing is not adding up to me.

First, from the very beginning--day 2--the sheriff has clearly focused on the husband as the perpetrator of a crime and has not investigated this as a mysterious missing person case. No "here's a description of missing woman and her bike," no "did you see this person on May 10 in this vicinity?" nothing like that. Early on, he searched water that could only have been either a dumping place for a body, or a search for someone who had, either intentionally or unintentionally, engaged in self-harm. Almost a week later, he halfheartedly asked for neighbors to "preserve" their camera footage--didn't even ask them to look at it! And specifically told them NOT to send it to him. He was certainly telegraphing that he didn't think it would be of much evidentiary value.

So he must know something that is pushing him strongly toward a crime. But then, it takes him nine days to get a judge to sign off on a search of the house! Nine days. Whatever he's seeing, that judge (or judges--can he shop that warrant to several looking for a signer?) took a long time to see. But he got it finally, carried out lots of items from the house but apparently there was no smoking gun. So now he responds to a tip and heads off to a site that, given the timeline and the state of construction, seems very unlikely to hold anything of value regarding SM's disappearance and starts breaking up concrete. This man is sure he's going to find something there. But he doesn't. Two full days of digging proves to me there's no body under that slab. And as someone pointed out earlier, they aren't looking for a body or body parts because the sifters aren't even suited up. Are they just saving face at this point?

There's just something wrong with this story. Doesn't mean I think BM is innocent. But does mean that I think LE started off with tunnel vision and it hasn't served them well.

 

[oviedo]

I'm also familiar with the ways of the industry and I would not find it unusual if a crew of unmarried and/or younger guys worked on Mother's Day for the reasons you cited.

I think what made this situation so unique was the fact this occurred during an unprecedented time in the world, while COVID19 restrictions were in place, that an individual business owner, that by all appearances had the trappings of a successful owner, would find it necessary that he personally be on the job site on Mother's Day.

Personally, I believe things at home were not what the photographs showed and that there was enough tension in the home where the entire household desired separation on Mother's Day.

MOO

Well reasoned IMO

 

[Boxer]

The DM pics of them with their sifting trays certainly struck me as interesting. Also, no forensic suits or anything. Normally if looking for remains, wouldn't they suit up?

Searchers were dressed the same as searchers in Gannon case who were also sifting.
It looks like when the find something the special team suits up. At least that is what they did then.

 

[Seattle1]

Could LE be looking for a cell phone?
Any news on whether LE have cell phone info or last time anyone spoke or heard from SM?

Looking for a cell phone where LE are digging? I don't think that would be necessary since LE can essentially obtain the most critical information even without being in possession of the phone/instrument itself.

It was also reported that the last contact SM had was May 9 but it was not specified how the contact was made.

 

[Hoytie]

ABC National News just ran a brief story of this case. Nothing to add really other than some video of the residence they are searching and BM's short video. So it is getting some coverage outside of Colorado. (I am in New Jersey.)

 

[Boxer]

Anyone else struck by the media images from Friday showing unusually detailed views of FBI searchers at work? Was it a flaw in the screening (plugged by Saturday) or was it a tactic to make someone sweat?

MOO also we had same even closer views of the FBI sifting along the road for Gannon.

 

[DizzyB]

As to neighbors preserving camera footage-how does that work? Do you have to download it to a disk? Do you have to cease recording because the system will write over that after a period of time? I assume the data storage isn’t endless. I’m trying to understand how people are making sure this footage is on hand in case LE comes knocking. Can they still use their ring doorbells forever without having to do anything?

 

[Jackielee09]

May today be the day Suzanne’s exact location be known.

 

[Coffiecat]

I don’t know how it works in Chaffee County but in Denver different inspectors show up for different parts of a job (for instance, plumbing and drywall). If drywall has it’s own inspector I imagine poured concrete does too. And if that’s the case I don’t think we can infer anything by the dates of inspection. JMO

The footings and sub-grade plumbing get inspected, but not typically flatwork, at least in MI. I let my residential builder's license lapse a few years ago, but most jurisdictions use IBC code, replacing the BOCA(my tattered Big Blue Bible).

As for the dates, and that the siftings seemed to be a lighter color and finer material than the rocky fill, almost like ash or concrete powder (containing strong lye), I thought perhaps that her disappearance may have been a process rather than a single event.

 

[Zengirl1215]

As to neighbors preserving camera footage-how does that work? Do you have to download it to a disk? Do you have to cease recording because the system will write over that after a period of time? I assume the data storage isn’t endless. I’m trying to understand how people are making sure this footage is on hand in case LE comes knocking. Can they still use their ring doorbells forever without having to do anything?

I only know about the Ring, but mine keeps all the recorded motions until I delete them. (on my Ring App on my phone)

 

[Boxer]

Gannon was reported missing 1/27. The search on 105 Palmer Lake was 3 weeks later and after finding evidence the public did not know about, the arrest was 3/11.
There is a lot of electronic data to suppeona, evidence to process and movements to confirm.

 

[Fireflize]

If BM's alibi for Mother's Day was that he was burying evidence, no wonder we have not seen any reliable report of where he was that day. That would be awkward for him. I sure wouldn't want to answer LE questions about my whereabouts if that were the case. MOO

 

[K9Enzo]

Also went radio silent after BM's fb video. Also stopped updating the official missing page -- hasn't been updated since May 16/17. Just bizarre given his beloved aunt is still missing. I think the nephew via the official page could have been helpful at keeping Friday's rumors at bay. MOO

My take is different. I hope someone was able to be firm with him to stand down being the mouthpiece. IMO, he was not helping the investigation but doing the opposite. I don’t believe that FB page is serving a purpose at all. I would advise them to shut it down. The account, I have such a negative opinion on those in general. I also think it’s possible the person he respected, loved & trusted has done the unthinkable and he’s being faced with that head on.

 

[Seattle1]

Lauren Scharf‏Verified account @LaurenScharfTV
Chaffee County Sheriff says there are NO new developments today in the #MissingPerson case of #SuzanneMorphew Investigators searched a property East of Salida again. Here’s pictures from yesterday of the area. Suzanne has NOT been located. More on @FOX21News

6:50 PM - 23 May 2020

 

[Tate123]

As to neighbors preserving camera footage-how does that work? Do you have to download it to a disk? Do you have to cease recording because the system will write over that after a period of time? I assume the data storage isn’t endless. I’m trying to understand how people are making sure this footage is on hand in case LE comes knocking. Can they still use their ring doorbells forever without having to do anything?

You just open the app and hit "save". It is not difficult. The problem I see is the option to save changes based on your subscription. If you are subscribed you have more control of past video. If not, I believe they disappear in 24 hrs.

 

[Zengirl1215]

You just open the app and hit "save". It is not difficult. The problem I see is the option to save changes based on your subscription. If you are subscribed you have more control of past video. If not, I believe they disappear in 24 hrs.

You're correct...I think once the initial trial period runs out on the Ring, if you don't subscribe, the recorded videos aren't saved. Hopefully, if LE needs them, most people have them.

 

[DizzyB]

You're correct...I think once the initial trial period runs out on the Ring, if you don't subscribe, the recorded videos aren't saved. Hopefully, if LE needs them, most people have them.

I just wish LE had collected the video clips-I guess they could be overwhelmed collecting the footage, but how many cameras do you think they are talking about? Out of 6000 people, how many have cameras? Do you think they went to the people on what would have been Suzanne’s most likely ride route and taken a look at them? I guess I watch too much “The First 48”.

 

[Daphne1972]

I can see I'm in the minority here (heck, maybe a minority of one), but this whole thing is not adding up to me.

First, from the very beginning--day 2--the sheriff has clearly focused on the husband as the perpetrator of a crime and has not investigated this as a mysterious missing person case. No "here's a description of missing woman and her bike," no "did you see this person on May 10 in this vicinity?" nothing like that. Early on, he searched water that could only have been either a dumping place for a body, or a search for someone who had, either intentionally or unintentionally, engaged in self-harm. Almost a week later, he halfheartedly asked for neighbors to "preserve" their camera footage--didn't even ask them to look at it! And specifically told them NOT to send it to him. He was certainly telegraphing that he didn't think it would be of much evidentiary value.

So he must know something that is pushing him strongly toward a crime. But then, it takes him nine days to get a judge to sign off on a search of the house! Nine days. Whatever he's seeing, that judge (or judges--can he shop that warrant to several looking for a signer?) took a long time to see. But he got it finally, carried out lots of items from the house but apparently there was no smoking gun. So now he responds to a tip and heads off to a site that, given the timeline and the state of construction, seems very unlikely to hold anything of value regarding SM's disappearance and starts breaking up concrete. This man is sure he's going to find something there. But he doesn't. Two full days of digging proves to me there's no body under that slab. And as someone pointed out earlier, they aren't looking for a body or body parts because the sifters aren't even suited up. Are they just saving face at this point?

There's just something wrong with this story. Doesn't mean I think BM is innocent. But does mean that I think LE started off with tunnel vision and it hasn't served them well.

Interestingly enough, I think he thinks she went away with somebody else.

 

[radish]

I think the nephew may be feeling a little used, abused and torn apart right now, and in this respect I have some sympathy for him and can see why he might have gone quiet all of a sudden. If you’re asked by family to perform a duty at a time of crisis, and *if* suddenly the tables turn, it’s pretty tough going on anyone.

Was he asked? I have always had the feeling, just my feeling that he just took that job on without immediate family approval (no basis for that just my feeling). I have relatives/friends that might just take over, in a well meaning way, without actually being assigned the task.