Current:Home > InvestRemains of Suzanne Morphew found 3 years after her disappearance -Lighthouse Finance Hub
Remains of Suzanne Morphew found 3 years after her disappearance
View
Date:2025-04-18 08:33:45
The remains of Suzanne Morphew, a Colorado mother of two who went missing in 2020, have been found, authorities said.
Human remains located on Sept. 22 during an unrelated search in the town of Moffat in Saguache County were positively identified as Suzanne Morphew on Wednesday, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said.
"Specific information about the location and the state of the remains are being withheld at this time," the agency said.
Suzanne Morphew was reported missing from her home in Chaffee County on May 10, 2020, which was Mother's Day, after she never returned home from a bike ride, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office said at the time.
Her husband, Barry Morphew, 55, was arrested almost a year later on charges including first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence in connection with his wife's disappearance. But all charges were dropped in April 2022, just days before he was set to stand trial.
The move came after the judge presiding over the case barred prosecutors from using most of their key witnesses at trial as punishment for repeatedly failing to turn over evidence in the defendant's favor.
The case was dismissed without prejudice, which allows prosecutors to file charges against Barry Morphew again.
MORE: Barry Morphew and daughters speak out for 1st time since murder charges were dropped
No arrests have been made since Suzanne Morphew's remains were located, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said.
"While this case has garnered attention from around the world, it has touched our community and the sheriff's office deeply," Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze said in a statement. "We have never stopped our investigation and will continue to follow all leads in pursuit of justice for Suzanne."
Spezze said that while locating her remains "is a critical component of this investigation, and for her family, we are left with many more questions than answers."
Family notifications have been made following the formal identification of the remains, authorities said.
MORE: Suzanne Morphew's husband and daughters speak out for 1st time since filing lawsuit
Barry Morphew filed a $15 million federal lawsuit in May against prosecutors, the sheriff and several investigators, claiming that his life has been ruined by false accusations.
"It's very hurtful to lose your reputation and your integrity," Barry Morphew told ABC News in an exclusive interview following the filing.
When asked whether he has anything to do with his wife's disappearance, Barry Morphew told ABC News: "Absolutely not."
"They've got tunnel vision and they looked at one person and they've got too much pride to say they're wrong and look somewhere else," he added. "I don't have anything to worry about. I've done nothing wrong."
The couple's daughters, Mallory and Macy Morphew, told ABC News that the last three years have been "literally our worst nightmare," and they never doubted their father's innocence.\
Following the news that Suzanne Morphew's remains had been found, a lawyer for the family issued a statement.
"Barry is with his daughters and they are all struggling with immense shock and grief after learning today that their mother and wife whom they deeply love was found deceased. They had faith that their wife and mom would walk back into their lives again. The news is heartbreaking," the statement read.
The family has asked for privacy at this time.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Children who survive shootings endure huge health obstacles and costs
- Ex-Philadelphia labor leader on trial on federal charges of embezzling from union
- As coal miners suffer and die from severe black lung, a proposed fix may fall short
- FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
- Thanksgiving meals to-go: Where to pre-order your family dinner
- A climate tech startup — and Earthshot Prize finalist — designs new method to reduce clothing waste
- ‘Priscilla’ stars Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi on trust, Sofia and souvenirs
- Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
- Hezbollah and Hamas’ military wings in Lebanon exchange fire with Israel. Tension rises along border
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- 8 simple things you can do to protect yourself from getting scammed
- Protesters calling for Gaza cease-fire block road at Tacoma port while military cargo ship docks
- Damar Hamlin launches scholarship in honor of Cincinnati medical staff who saved his life
- Small twin
- A climate tech startup — and Earthshot Prize finalist — designs new method to reduce clothing waste
- Law and order and the economy are focus of the British government’s King’s Speech
- Multiple dog food brands recalled due to potential salmonella contamination
Recommendation
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
Indian states vote in key test for opposition and PM Modi ahead of 2024 national election
100 hilarious Thanksgiving jokes your family and friends will gobble up this year
Florida dentist convicted of murder in 2014 slaying of his ex-brother-in-law, a law professor
Tony Hawk drops in on Paris skateboarding and pushes for more styles of sport in LA 2028
Michigan State men's basketball upset at home by James Madison in season opener
Colorado is deciding if homeowner tax relief can come out of a refund that’s one-of-a-kind in the US
A processing glitch has held up a ‘small percentage’ of bank deposits since Thursday, overseer says