Current:Home > InvestRemains of Suzanne Morphew found 3 years after her disappearance -MoneyMatrix
Remains of Suzanne Morphew found 3 years after her disappearance
View
Date:2025-04-16 08:33:48
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! (994)
Related
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Inside Kourtney Kardashian's Eggcellent 45th Birthday Party at IHOP
- Jelly Roll teases new song, sings 'Save Me' at pre-NFL draft concert
- Will Power denies participating in Penske cheating scandal. Silence from Josef Newgarden
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Ashley Judd, #MeToo founders react to ruling overturning Harvey Weinstein’s conviction
- The Simpsons Kills Off Original Character After 35 Seasons
- The Justice Department admitted a Navy jet fuel leak in Hawaii caused thousands to suffer injuries. Now, victims are suing the government.
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Summer House's Carl Radke Reveals His Influencer Income—And Why Lindsay Hubbard Earns More
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Bears have prime opportunity to pick a superstar receiver in draft for Caleb Williams
- Starbucks offering half off drinks Thursday: How to get the deal
- New York City to require warning labels for sugary foods and drinks in chain restaurants
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- New home for University of Kentucky cancer center will help accelerate research, director says
- Summer House's Carl Radke Reveals His Influencer Income—And Why Lindsay Hubbard Earns More
- Gusts of activity underway by friends and foes of offshore wind energy projects
Recommendation
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
Hamas releases video of injured Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin
Mike Pinder, last original Moody Blues member, dies months after bandmate Denny Laine
U.S. economic growth slows as consumers tighten their belts
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Kentucky appeals court denies Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to enter Kentucky Derby
Italy bans loans of works to Minneapolis museum in a dispute over ancient marble statue
Russia's Orthodox Church suspends priest who led Alexey Navalny memorial service