It’s the kind of case that’s haunted a state—and a family—for years. Now, in a twist no one saw coming, Barry Morphew has been arrested again, accused once more of killing his wife Suzanne, who vanished on Mother’s Day in 2020. The man once seen as a grieving husband is now back in custody, facing brand new first-degree murder charges after Suzanne’s remains were finally found last fall.
This second arrest comes nearly three years after Barry was first charged, only to have the case dropped just before trial. Now, prosecutors say new evidence gives them what they didn’t have before: a stronger case, a clearer picture—and maybe, this time, a real shot at justice.
Arrested in Arizona, But the Story Begins in Colorado
Barry Morphew was picked up in Arizona Friday morning after a Colorado grand jury indicted him on charges of murder and tampering with a deceased human body. He’s currently being held on a $3 million cash-only bond while authorities work to bring him back to Colorado.
This all traces back to Chaffee County, Colorado, where Suzanne disappeared in 2020. Her remains were found in a shallow grave last September, more than 40 miles from the couple’s home. For nearly three years, no one knew where she had gone—until that heartbreaking discovery in the remote San Luis Valley changed everything.
A Case Once Dropped—Now Reopened with a Vengeance
Barry was first arrested in May 2021. Back then, prosecutors claimed they had enough circumstantial evidence to move forward. But just before the trial began, the DA dropped the case, saying they needed more time. Key evidence, including unknown male DNA in Suzanne’s SUV, had been mishandled.
The charges were dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning they could be refiled later. And now, they have.
New evidence presented to the grand jury reportedly includes forensic details from Suzanne’s bones—and the presence of a chemical called BAM, a tranquilizer typically used on large wildlife. Investigators say Barry was the only civilian in the area with access to it.
A Disturbing Discovery: Wildlife Tranquilizer in Her Remains
That’s what shocked many following the case: traces of a tranquilizer found inside Suzanne’s bones.
Investigators say Barry had access to BAM through his landscaping work and wildlife activity. They found a needle cap matching that drug in the family’s dryer. Prosecutors now believe Suzanne may have been drugged before she died—a chilling new detail that’s shifted the direction of the case.
It’s worth noting: Suzanne’s death was officially ruled a homicide, though the exact cause wasn’t clear.
Marital Troubles, Suspicious Movements, and Digital Clues
Suzanne had sent Barry a text just before she vanished, telling him she was “done.” Friends said the couple’s marriage was rocky for years, with Suzanne allegedly planning to separate.
Barry’s story about his movements the day she disappeared also raised eyebrows. He claimed to be chasing elk in the early morning, but GPS data and other inconsistencies poked holes in that timeline. All these factors, when seen together, have helped investigators rebuild their case from the ground up.
The Defense Isn’t Backing Down
Barry’s legal team is calling this latest arrest “desperate.” His attorney says nothing about the case has changed—except the narrative being spun. Barry still insists he had nothing to do with Suzanne’s death, and his lawyers say the original charges fell apart because there simply wasn’t enough evidence.
He’s also in the middle of suing the sheriff’s office, FBI, and prosecutors for how the original case was handled—alleging misconduct and violations of his rights.
But prosecutors are standing firm. They say they’ve worked tirelessly to find answers and that the new charges reflect “a deeper and more complete picture of what happened to Suzanne Morphew.”
What Comes Next
Barry will likely be extradited to Colorado soon. Once there, he’ll appear in court to face the new charges. A trial date has not been set.
Meanwhile, Suzanne’s family—who spent years not knowing what happened—are watching closely, hoping this is the beginning of a real path to justice.
