Suzanne Morphew Disappearance: Husband Barry Morphew Now Facing Murder Charges, No Body Found
SALIDA, Colo. (CBS4) - Nearly a year after Suzanne Morphew was reported missing, her husband Barry Morphew is facing murder charges. Suzanne disappeared after leaving her home for a bike ride on May 10, 2020, Mother's Day.
Barry Morphew is facing the following charges: murder after deliberation, tampering with physical evidence and attempting to influence a public servant. The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office confirms that Barry Morphew remains in custody at the Chaffee County Detention Facility after he was arrested at his home near Poncha Springs on Wednesday morning.
The arrest affidavit remains sealed, according to 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley, who made the announcement at a Wednesday afternoon news conference. The 11th Judicial District includes Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, and Park Counties.
"Today is a good day for Suzanne. As far as I'm concerned this day is all about Suzanne, and her family, and those who loved and cared for her," said Stanley.
"Our belief is that Suzanne is not alive at this time," said Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze.
He also said that they don't expect to make any more arrests at this time.
UPDATE: Barry Makes First Appearance In Court After Being Arrested
Spezze also said that this arrest is a culmination of the past year of investigation.
Last fall, the sheriff's office said that more than a dozen investigators were aggressively working on this case on a daily basis.
"This case remains very active, as more than a dozen investigators are aggressively working this case on a daily basis," Spezze said in July 2020. "And until we determine what happened to Suzanne, we can't discount any scenario or formally eliminate anyone from suspicion."
RELATED: Video Shows Remote Area Where Suzanne Morphew Was Reportedly Biking When She Disappeared
In May 2020, the sheriff's office, the FBI and CBI conducted a three-day search at a residential construction site east of Salida. The property owner told CBS4's Rick Sallinger that Suzanne's husband, Barry, laid the dirt at the riverfront property.
Family members say Suzanne's husband, Barry Morphew was out of town in Denver, when she disappeared. On May 17, 2020, he released a video pleading for his wife's safe return.
"Oh Suzanne, if anyone is out there that can hear this, that has you, please, we'll do whatever it takes to bring you back," said Barry Morphew. "We love you. We miss you. The girls need you. No questions asked. However much they want, I will do whatever it takes to get you back. Honey, I love you. I want you back so bad."
Suzanne's body has not been found. Stanley said that despite that fact, her office wouldn't bring charges unless they were confident they could prosecute those charges.
Barry Morphew is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday morning on an advisement and bond hearing.
RELATED: Barry Morphew Shares More Photos And Love Letter Nearly 5 Months After Wife Disappears
