(NewsNation) — An autopsy report has revealed the Colorado mother who went missing almost four years ago died by homicide and that an animal tranquilizer was found in her system.
It’s the latest twist in the Suzanne Morphew case and the big question that remains is whether prosecutors will once again charge her husband, Barry Morphew, in her death. A previous case against him was dismissed without prejudice.
Suzanne Morphew disappears
On May 9, 2020, Suzanne Morphew sent a selfie to a man in Michigan she was having an affair with. It’s the last evidence of her alive.
On May 10, 2020, her husband reported her missing after sending her a Mother’s Day text and not getting a response. He left their home early for a business trip but returned home after a neighbor said she was missing.
Search parties began looking for Morphew and on May 11, 2020, her mountain bike was found in the woods near the couple’s home, off the road. A few days later, her undamaged bike helmet was found off a different road.
Searches continued into the fall, led by Morphew’s family members and a $200,000 award was offered for information but no sign of her was found.
Barry Morphew charged
In May 2021, prosecutors charged Barry Morphew in his wife’s disappearance. Later that year, Morphew was also charged with fraudulently submitting a ballot in his wife’s name to help former President Donald Trump help win the 2020 election.
In preliminary hearings, prosecutors revealed Suzanne Morphew’s two-year affair and submitted evidence including scratches on Barry Morphew’s arms and a tranquilizer dart and needle that had been found at the Morphew home.
In April 2022, prosecutors dropped the case, which was dismissed without prejudice, making it possible for the case to be brought back to trial at a later date if there was more evidence.
In October 2022, the prosecutors involved were under investigation for allegedly withholding evidence in the case. There are also allegations of a plot against a judge.
Suzanne Morphew’s remains found
In September 2023, Suzanne Morphew’s remains were found during an unrelated search in Saguache County.
In April 2024, her autopsy report was released to the media. They indicated Morphew’s manner of death was homicide but the cause of death could not be determined.
Traces of drugs used to immobilize wildlife were found in her remains. Because of the age of the remains, it’s not clear if the drugs killed her or if there was another cause of death.
Barry Morphew previously told investigators he used tranquilizer darts to immobilize deer and cut off their antlers. After the autopsy findings were revealed, he suggested investigators should be investigating veterinarians in the area who might use those drugs on wildlife.
It’s not clear if prosecutors will charge him again now that there is new information on his wife’s death.