Barry Morphew Re-Indicted for Suspected Murder of Wife

Forensic scientists suggest Suzanne Morphew’s body might have been moved twice after her death. Barry Morphew was re-indicted by a Colorado judge on June 20 for allegedly killing his wife, Suzanne, on Mother’s Day in 2020.

Barry was arrested on the same day near Phoenix, Arizona, and records indicate he was living in a trailer park in Cave Creek. Suzanne Morphew disappeared in 2020, but her remains were discovered by Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents on September 22, 2023. An autopsy report from 2024 revealed the presence of a deer tranquilizer known as “BAM” in her bone marrow, along with other substances.

Prosecutors described the location of Suzanne’s body as a “shallow secret grave” in Sagacci County, situated “hundreds of feet” off Highway 17.

Details on the Investigation

Interestingly, Suzanne Morphew’s clothing showed “no evidence of decomposition,” according to the indictment which led to Barry being charged with first-degree murder after deliberation. Authorities also noted “very small amounts of dry soft tissue” in her bones, mentioning the absence of hair clumps or signs of animal predation.

A forensic expert explained that if the original burial site was where decomposition took place, specific signs would typically be present. An anthropologist consulted by prosecutors stated that based on the evidence, the body likely did not decompose at the site where it was ultimately found.

Peter Valentin, an associate professor of forensic science, mentioned that it appears the body had been “moved” at least once. He pointed out signs indicating decomposition likely occurred elsewhere. Some experts suggest it may have been moved twice, though that isn’t definitively known, as it involves assumptions about the original murder location versus where decomposition occurred.

New Findings from Suzanne Morphew’s Body

Valentin also highlighted a “lack of evidence” supporting that Suzanne’s remains decomposed at the site. The indictment noted that her bones were “substantially bleached,” referring to the level of sun exposure they experienced. This bleaching, according to Valentin, bolsters the argument that Suzanne’s body was relocated.

He elaborated on the decomposition process, explaining if some bones are bleached and others aren’t, it indicates how and where the remains might’ve been situated, implying that the body had been shielded from sun at the final discovery site.

Barry Morphew’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 2.