SALIDA, COLORADO: The discovery of Suzanne Morphew's remains in a shallow grave has sent shockwaves through the community and left her husband, Barry Morphew, and his daughters "immensely shocked"; the family believed she would one day "walk back into their lives."
However, as the news broke, the internet was abuzz with skepticism and doubts about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and subsequent discovery.
How did Suzanne Morphew go missing?
Suzanne, a 49-year-old mother of two, disappeared on May 10, 2020, while on a bike ride on Mother's Day near her mountain home in Salida, Colorado. Her bike was found the same day, abandoned in a ravine, but Suzanne was nowhere to be seen. The ensuing investigation into her disappearance yielded few leads and left her family desperate for answers.
The mystery took a devastating turn when investigators uncovered her "scattered remains" in a remote desert area, approximately 50 miles from her home in Salida, Colorado, on September 22, 2023.
These grim discoveries were made while authorities were investigating an entirely separate case. On September 27, the coroner confirmed that Suzanne had been buried in a shallow grave, and her bones had become dispersed over the years.
'Barry Morphew is as innocent as he was from Day 1!'
Iris Eytan, lawyer of Barry, who was arrested on suspicion of his wife's murder only for the charges to be dropped days later, released a statement on behalf of the family, expressing he is "as innocent as he was from Day 1."
"Barry is with his daughters and they are all struggling with immense shock and grief after learning today that their mother and wide 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," Eytan wrote.
"We hope the authorities will quickly admit their wrongful persecution of Barry, an innocent man, to treat the Morphew's like the victims they are, and charge the person(s) responsible for Suzanne's killing. The Morphew's would appreciate their privacy during this deeply emotional and personal time," read the statement.
Barry Morphew arrested on suspicion of his missing wife Suzanne Morphew's murder
Barry, who had been arrested and charged with his wife's murder in May 2021, had the charges against him being dropped in 2022.
Prosecutors abandoned the case after a judge sanctioned the district attorney's office for discovery violations. The dismissal was without prejudice, leaving the possibility of re-filing charges if new evidence emerged.
Despite these legal developments, Barry maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal and is now seeking justice for the impact these charges had on his life. He is suing for $15 million in response to his arrest on suspicion of his wife's murder, a charge that has since been dropped.
Internet rips into Barry Morphew
After Barry's lawyer's comments about the grieving family, avid true crime watchers and social media users began a blame game of sorts on the Internet.
The suspect being Suzanne's husband Barry.
However, as mentioned before, Barry has not been charged of any crime in relation to his wife's death as yet. Social media users, as a result of their speculative theories, have made him the subject of their ire and doubt.
"Stupid statement to make considering it doesn’t say she was killed What if it was declared an accident or suicide. We all know it wasn’t, but that attorney should be smarter than that! That one statement alone has guilt all over it!" said one Facebook user.
Another added, "Most people would simply grieve with their family upon hearing this type of news. Having your attorney make a statement about wrongful prosecution hours after your Wife's remains were found? You stay classy Barry."
A third claimed, "I think he knows his client is going to prison."
"I really hope her remains tell her story and how she lost her life. May she rest in peace," read a post hoping for the best.
