Barry Morphew Faces New Murder Charge Over Wife’s 2020 Disappearance

Barry Morphew is back behind bars. The Colorado man—who once walked free after murder charges were dropped—is now facing a fresh indictment for the killing of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, five years after she vanished without a trace.

He was arrested Wednesday in Gilbert, Arizona, following a grand jury indictment issued in Colorado on June 18. This marks the second time authorities have accused him of first-degree murder in connection with Suzanne’s 2020 disappearance. The difference this time? They’ve got new forensic evidence and are doubling down.

“This is not a case of if—this is a case of when,” prosecutors said, according to The New York Post.

The most explosive detail? Suzanne’s remains—found last year—tested positive for BAM, a powerful animal tranquilizer. Back in 2020, investigators found BAM needles and a cap in the Morphew family garage, as reported by People.

“This is just round two of a bad sequel,” said Barry’s attorney, calling the new charges a “desperate” attempt to save face after the first case was dismissed in 2022.

Suzanne Morphew disappeared on Mother’s Day weekend in 2020. Her bike was found abandoned near their Salida, Colorado home. But she wasn’t on a joyride—her phone pinged in strange spots, and her last texts showed she was “done” with her marriage.

Barry was charged a year later. But in 2022, those charges were dropped without prejudice—meaning they could be refiled—after the defense accused prosecutors of hiding evidence. Among that missing info? DNA in Suzanne’s SUV that didn’t match Barry. The case collapsed.

Suzanne’s remains were discovered in September 2023 in a shallow grave in Saguache County, over an hour from the Morphew home. That led investigators to reassemble the timeline, cross-check digital data, and re-test remains for any chemical evidence.

According to AP News, Suzanne’s bones tested positive for the tranquilizer—which isn’t exactly easy to come by unless you’re in wildlife control. Coincidentally, Barry had experience darting deer as part of his landscaping work.

Barry, now 56, was booked into an Arizona jail on a $3 million bond. He’s awaiting extradition to Colorado.

And if you’re wondering about his daughters? Mallory and Macy have stood by their dad since day one. In a 2023 interview, they said they “never doubted” his innocence.

But prosecutors clearly aren’t buying the family narrative. They say this new indictment is about justice finally catching up. Whether that sticks this time, though, will be up to a jury.