Why Have Authorities Introduced New Indictment Against Barry Morphew?

It's a Colorado murder case that has frustrated many, from not only family members but to authorities, alike: The killing of Suzanne Morphew.

Did Barry Morphew Kill His Wife Suzanne?

Suzanne Morphew disappeared from her home in Chaffe County, near Crested Butte, in May of 2020. According to The Denver Post, husband Barry Morphew was arrested for her murder before they found her body in a shallow grave; it was determined that she died from a mixture of animal tranquilizers.

Due to prosecutors' mishandling of the case, charges against Morphew were dropped and he was released in 2022. Many, many, people in the state were upset and disappointed with those results.

Is There a Motive for Barry Morphew Killing His Wife?

Prosecutors in the first case did reveal that Suzanne had been having an affair for over two years before her death. Crimes of passion often include murder. Add in Barry Morphew's access to animal tranquillizers, you have "opportunity." It just came down to mishandling of that first case, and now, new information.

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On Friday, June 20, 2025, it was the 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced that a new grand jury had indicted Barry Morphew, once again, on one count of first-degree murder in the death of Suzanne Morphew. Authorities arrested Morphew in Arizona, and was expected to be extradited.

New Evidence, New Indictment Against Morphew

According to the Denver Post, in the first hearing did not include evidence that Barry Morphew had indeed driven to the area where Suzanne's body was eventually found. At that time, (before her body was found) they though the body had been dumped near the family's home.