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

[lucidtx]

This is a small town in a rugged area but Highway 50 is a well-trafficked main route through the mountains. It's often used as an alternative to I-70. Lots of tourist traffic, bikers enjoying the scenic drive, some commercial traffic. Our trails and parks were extremely busy on Mother's Day weekend, too. Like, record-breaking busy.

 

[justme11]

This is a small town in a rugged area but Highway 50 is a well-trafficked main route through the mountains. It's often used as an alternative to I-70. Lots of tourist traffic, bikers enjoying the scenic drive, some commercial traffic. Our trails and parks were extremely busy on Mother's Day weekend, too. Like, record-breaking busy.

Are there bike paths on Highway 50?

 

[Gardenkeep]

Can you explain how background (do you mean family background?) suggests that? Your perception?

I mean nothing insulting by this to be clear. I spent a career in ER work, my son is an EMT/firefighter. This type of work tends to foster it's own close knit community. I know when we experience a tragedy in our own circles, we tend to become protective and go the extra steps faster because its one of our own. We "close ranks". The sheriff in charge of this investigation is a seasoned veteran of over 30 yrs; having spent the first 20 in Denver, working complex cases involving narcotic investigations and is darn good at what he is doing. Given the nature of what he worked with in the past, he is going to be close to the cuff with the public by experience (and rightfully so, given the crazy stuff the public can do to destroy an investigation) <modsnip: sleuthing family is not allowed>

 

[Knox]

This is a small town in a rugged area but Highway 50 is a well-trafficked main route through the mountains. It's often used as an alternative to I-70. Lots of tourist traffic, bikers enjoying the scenic drive, some commercial traffic. Our trails and parks were extremely busy on Mother's Day weekend, too. Like, record-breaking busy.

But let's say her bike was discovered fairly close to her home. Maybe thrown into a ravine to hide it. You can see on the map I linked the amount of dirt road she could have traveled that isn't on the beaten path. If this was a crime of opportunity, meaning someone came across her and did a bump and grab. Chances are high no one was around to witness it. I find that prospect absolutely terrifying.
خرائط ‪Google‬‏‏

 

[osu]

Joe Keller is an example. People thought of all kinds of wild theories of what could have happened to him, but in the end, he just fell off a cliff. He wasn't found for over a year.
Remains of Joe Keller, missing teen in Conejos County, confirmed by DNA match

Edited to add: To be clear, I don't think Suzanne fell off a cliff, per se, especially with the bike news now confirmed by family in MSM. And the two cases aren't very similar at all. Joe's played out a lot more like a typical hiker/biker/skier "lost in the wilderness" case where the person got disoriented or injured. Just that fluke things do happen to people in the wilderness.

Joe Keller’s case was so sad. They searched so long and hard to find him and it still took a year.

 

[Lore Listener]

But I think her bike being found is key - that location is important iMO. of course, if she fell off and became disoriented she could have wandered way off by now - it's sort of reminding me of the young lady who was lost after she had car trouble - they found her body (no foul play evidently) we followed that one here on WS.
JMO

I totally agree. Edited my post to reflect that I don't think the facts match that happening in this case. If anything, the difference in the way authorities handle these cases says a lot. As soon as I heard about the found bike my thinking now is pretty solidly foul play.

 

[lucidtx]

But let's say her bike was discovered fairly close to her home. Maybe thrown into a ravine to hide it. You can see on the map I linked the amount of dirt road she could have traveled that isn't on the beaten path. If this was a crime of opportunity, meaning someone came across her and did a bump and grab. Chances are high no one was around to witness it. I find that prospect absolutely terrifying.
خرائط ‪Google‬‏‏

That's exactly my point. It sees enough traffic that it's very possible she could've encountered a stranger, but also remote and rugged enough that she could vanish pretty easily whether or not foul play is involved.

 

[Inthedetails]

I totally agree. Edited my post to reflect that I don't think the facts match that happening in this case. If anything, the difference in the way authorities handle these cases says a lot. As soon as I heard about the found bike my thinking now is pretty solidly foul play.

The question is - did someone toss the bike in the process of taking her? Or did someone plant the bike to make it look that way?

Or, did she get off the bike on her own at some point and things went bad either intentionally or accidentally?

We need more info on the bike....though at least the bike is SOMETHING to go on.

jmo

 

[NervousNellie]

The pic with daughters was posted on her Facebook on May 9, 2019. A year ago. Daily Mail must have missed the year in their haste to get a scoop.

That is such a generous thought. I don't believe for a second they missed it in haste... you have to scroll down for several changes to her profile picture until you get to that one... JMO


<modsnip: referenced post was modsnipped>

I do not understand why they did not mention that her bike was found until a distant-ish relative confirmed it to media. And why would a distant-ish relative do that!?!? While I don't understand why the bike being found was kept quiet, it was certainly done for a reason, no?

 

[lucidtx]

In Kelsey's case, the crime did cross state lines. Gannon's did too, but I don't think authorities expected that at the start. Mollie's case was very local.

I think there have been even more examples of FBI being called in.

Of course, I don't know what is happening in this particular case! Could be anything at this point.

jmo

Yeah each of those involved pretty complex situations with multiple cell phones, and the FBI was involved not just for the cell phone records in those cases but also interstate crimes and to help with other difficult evidence. What I'm trying to say is that if the FBI is already involved in this case, there's specific reason they're concerned about foul play and something more going on there. They wouldn't bring in the FBI just to try to get simple location data from her phone.

 

[MntnHiker]

I am curious to know where the bike was found. Technically it could have been found at her house, though I don't know that that's what I think happened. If it was found out on a road or in the trees or something, I think that points to an abduction MOO. I can't think of any other reason she would leave her bike. I guess maybe to step off into the woods to go to the bathroom but how long was she even out? And if the bike was close to her home (which I don't know that it is), she could have just ridden back home. Otherwise, I don't really see a good reason to (of your own volition) dismount your bike and leave it that isn't nefarious.

This case is very concerning. We have seen some other cases where a single person was out exercising - either running or biking - and it was a total crime of opportunity by a stranger. I am getting that vibe here MOO.

 

[Lore Listener]

Are there bike paths on Highway 50?

Yes, lots! Scroll down this page to see how many and maps of them:
Salida Mountain Trails

Ok, I gotta work today. May Suzanne be found safe today! Glad to have such clever, passionate sleuths keeping me updated!

 

[Hatfield]

Haven't we seen this before - that the FBI is brought in for cell phone foresenics?

jmo

JMO
Yes I think we have and I think it was in Gannon's case where I saw an extra comment that indicated the FBI was brought in to help recover deleted items from her phone at the beginning. I cant recall where that comment was but I think it was in a news article implying the reason FBI was brought into the case initially.

I am pretty sure the FBI has better tools that a local LE may not have access to. So it could have something to do with making sure all phone data is obtained from her phone even if they dont have the phone.

Usually the FBI is brought in when a crime crosses state lines so that is another possibility with this case if somehow the crime involved out of state activities. Like taking the victim out of state or something along those lines.

 

[MntnHiker]

DBM duplicate post

 

[lucidtx]

In Kelsey's case, the crime did cross state lines. Gannon's did too, but I don't think authorities expected that at the start. Mollie's case was very local.

I think there have been even more examples of FBI being called in.

Of course, I don't know what is happening in this particular case! Could be anything at this point.

jmo

Yeah each of those involved pretty complex situations with multiple cell phones, and the FBI was involved not just for the cell phone records in those cases but also interstate crimes and to help with other difficult evidence. What I'm trying to say is that if the FBI is already involved in this case, there's specific reason they're concerned about foul play and something more going on there. They wouldn't bring in the FBI just to try to get simple location data from her phone.

 

[sadiesmama1160]

A convenient weekend for everyone to be out of town?
Perhaps someone unknown watching her?
JMO

I have definitely considered this idea... a kidnapping/ransom comes to mind. Like others have said, the husband not wanting to comment is very strange.

 

[oviedo]

The question is - did someone toss the bike in the process of taking her? Or did someone plant the bike to make it look that way?

Or, did she get off the bike on her own at some point and things went bad either intentionally or accidentally?

We need more info on the bike....though at least the bike is SOMETHING to go on.

jmo

and i hope they have already done luminol inside the house, garage and vehicles just to make sure nothing happened in those places
IMO

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

There are 5 *possible* scenarios as I see it:

1. She had accident, came off bike and is lying in undergrowth somewhere.

2. She was abducted by unknown persons.

3. She faked her disappearance (for whatever unknown reason).

4. She was the victim of a person known to her.

5. She has committed suicide, maybe for (unknown) health reasons or other unknown reasons.

 

[sadiesmama1160]

I just cannot fathom why any of her family has not spoken out? Not one person. So extremely odd. Reminds me of Abbie Flynn. JMO

Shock? Advised by LE not to?

 

[sadiesmama1160]

This makes the most sense to me. Unless the neighbors were outside for an extended period of time and when someone asked if they saw her they said they saw her leaving but not return. We can assume her bike is missing. No pleas from family? What about friends? This isn’t looking good. Any cameras on that street? Do we know the proximity of the neighbors? MOO

I have been in the Salida area, visiting before. In town, it's very quiet, serene... the community folks are very artsy. All are very creative with their fencing, landscaping... but in town, it reminded me of a small Iowa town. Old buildings, many folks have galleries where locals sell their art goods. It's a very quaint, lovely town... homey.