Barry Morphew, the Colorado man newly indicted on first-degree murder charges over the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, appeared in court today after being booked in Arizona, where he was arrested. He emphatically maintains his innocence, according to his attorney.
Morphew was arrested and had a brief jail booking following a grand jury indictment in Colorado. He waived his right to an extradition hearing and is expected to be returned to Colorado to face charges related to the death of his wife, who vanished during a Mother’s Day bike ride in May 2020 and whose remains were discovered in 2023.
During the booking, Morphew’s lawyer, David Beller, reiterated that his client “maintains his innocence.” Beller criticized the case, describing it as driven by a predetermined conclusion from law enforcement rather than clear evidence.
Suzanne’s skeletal remains were found in a shallow grave in Saguache County, Colorado. A 2024 autopsy determined her death was a homicide caused by tranquilizer drugs (butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine—collectively known as “BAM”) found in her bones. Investigators allege only Barry had access to that drug combination in the area.
Barry Morphew was previously charged in May 2021, but those charges were dismissed in April 2022 after prosecutors were found to have withheld evidence. Now, five years after Suzanne’s disappearance, the renewed charges mark a pivotal moment in the case.
His bail has been set at $3 million cash only in Arizona; extradition to Colorado is expected within days. Morphew will be held pending the transfer and subsequent court proceedings in Colorado.
With input from Fox News
