# Barry Lee Morphew

> Indicted a second time for first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, who disappeared on Mother's Day 2020, Morphew has pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for July 2027.

- Case: People v. Morphew · Alamosa, Colorado · 2025
- Case status: Charged, awaiting trial. Charged, not tried. Morphew has pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree murder and is presumed innocent. A first murder case was dismissed without prejudice before trial in 2022. As of Oct. 28, 2026, he is held on a $10 million cash-only bond set Sept. 8, 2026; trial is set for July 19 to Aug. 27, 2027, and a status conference is set for Nov. 3, 2026.
- Last updated: 2026-10-28
- Editorial review: approved 2026-10-28
- Web page: https://criminalbackstories.com/cases/barry-morphew/
- All defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty by a court of law. Charges and allegations described on this site are not proof of guilt.

## Why he's in the news

On Sept. 8, 2026, Chief Judge Amanda Hopkins raised Morphew's bond from $3 million to $10 million, cash only, after prosecutors said he had broken his release conditions by driving to Denver International Airport and alleged that he was the driver in a hit-and-run crash in Denver.[3][14][13] Morphew had been free on bond since September 2025 and was jailed again in early September 2026 on a warrant from the court.[17][4][16] The judge said he "has no respect for any order of this court."[13] His lawyers argued he is not a flight risk and "wants his day in court."[13]

## Case at a glance

- Charge: One count of first-degree murder (after deliberation), C.R.S. 18-3-102(1)(a), a class 1 felony[1]
- Victim: Suzanne Morphew, his wife[1]
- Date and place: Reported missing May 10, 2020, from the family's home in Chaffee County; remains found Sept. 22, 2023, in Saguache County[1][17]
- Indicted: June 18, 2025, by a 12th Judicial District grand jury; arrested in Arizona June 20, 2025[9]
- Plea: Not guilty, entered Jan. 12, 2026[25][17]
- Court: Alamosa County District Court, 12th Judicial District; Chief Judge Amanda Hopkins; case 2025CR128[2][13]
- Trial: Set for July 19 to Aug. 27, 2027[17]
- Custody: Held on a $10 million cash-only bond set Sept. 8, 2026; no report that he has posted it was found in the sources reviewed as of Oct. 28, 2026[3][14]
- Earlier case: Charged in Chaffee County in 2021; charges dismissed without prejudice April 19, 2022[10][32]

## The backstory

Morphew has not been tried on the current charge. Everything in this section about how Suzanne Morphew died is an allegation in a grand jury indictment, a prosecution filing or a finding made for a pretrial purpose. None of it has been tested before a jury.[1][9]

### The disappearance

Suzanne Morphew was reported missing on May 10, 2020, Mother's Day, from the family's home in Chaffee County, Colorado, according to the indictment, which describes her husband as the last known person to see her alive.[1] Morphew told police he left at 5 a.m. that day for a work trip to Broomfield while she was asleep, and that she had planned a bike ride.[1] Her bike was found that evening down a hillside less than a mile from the home, and her helmet was found May 14 about 10 meters off Highway 50, roughly 1.5 miles west of the home, according to the indictment.[1] Searches of the house that began May 11 found no sign of a break-in or an intruder, the indictment says.[1]

### The first prosecution

Morphew was arrested on May 5, 2021.[33][11] Prosecutors in the 11th Judicial District charged him with first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a dangerous weapon and attempt to influence a public servant.[10] The case was moved from Chaffee County to Fremont County on Feb. 1, 2022, because of pretrial publicity, and trial was set for April 28, 2022.[32]

According to the Colorado Supreme Court's later account, Chief Judge Patrick Murphy found multiple discovery violations by the prosecution in July 2021.[11] In February 2022, Judge Ramsey Lama found, and the prosecution conceded, that its expert disclosures did not comply with the rules; in March 2022 he excluded several prosecution experts as a sanction for a pattern of discovery violations and ultimately excluded most of them.[11] Prosecutors then moved to dismiss without prejudice, writing: "Without this crucial evidence, and without the victim's body, the People cannot move forward at this time in good faith."[32] The court granted the motion on April 19, 2022; dismissal without prejudice allowed the charges to be refiled.[32][11]

Linda Stanley, the district attorney who brought the first case, was later disbarred; the Colorado Supreme Court upheld the disbarment on Sept. 8, 2025, in an opinion that cited, among other things, her public statements about the Morphew case and her supervision of it.[11] A federal judge dismissed a malicious-prosecution lawsuit Morphew brought over the first case, finding the prosecution flawed but not malicious, the Deseret News reported.[27]

### The remains and the autopsy

On Sept. 22, 2023, Suzanne Morphew's remains were found in a shallow grave in Saguache County, a few hundred feet down a dirt road near Highway 17, according to the indictment.[1] Investigators found them while searching in an unrelated case, ABC News reported.[29] They were identified as hers; her medical port and bike-style clothing were recovered, and no visible perimortem trauma was observed, the indictment says.[1] A forensic anthropologist concluded it was unlikely that she had decomposed from a fresh body to a skeleton at that site, according to the indictment.[1]

The El Paso County coroner's office performed the autopsy; the report was released on April 29, 2024.[29] According to the indictment, toxicology found butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine, a combination known as BAM, in her bone marrow, along with a butorphanol metabolite that the indictment says shows her death was not immediate.[1] The indictment quotes the coroner's cause and manner of death as "Homicide by unspecified means in the setting of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine intoxication."[1] The report describes the drugs as "a compounded injectable chemical immobilizer for wildlife," ABC News reported.[29]

### The indictment

A 12th Judicial District grand jury indicted Morphew on June 18, 2025, on one count of first-degree murder, and he was arrested in Arizona by the Arizona Department of Public Safety on June 20.[9] The indictment alleges the killing occurred on or about May 9 to May 10, 2020.[1]

The indictment alleges that Morphew's phone returned home at 2:43 p.m. on May 9 and was turned off minutes later until 10:17 p.m., and was off again from 4:32 a.m. to 5:37 a.m. on May 10.[1] It alleges that Suzanne Morphew's last electronic communication was at 2:11 p.m. on May 9, that her phone showed no user activity after he returned home, and that it stopped connecting at 4:23 a.m. on May 10 and was never found.[1] According to the indictment, his truck's telematics recorded no activity from 3:49 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. on May 10.[1] It alleges that in the Broomfield area he spent about 30 minutes at the jobsite, drove to various locations and discarded items in separate trash cans.[1]

The indictment alleges that Suzanne Morphew was unhappy in the marriage and planned to divorce, contrary to his description of the marriage as "the best."[1] It cites a screenshot saved on his phone on May 6, 2020, of a text from her: "I'm done. I could care less what you're up to and have been for years."[1]

On the drugs, the indictment alleges that witnesses from Indiana said Morphew used BAM on his deer farm there, and that he admitted using it in Colorado as recently as April 2020 to tranquilize a deer near his home.[1] It says a tranquilizer dart rifle and darts were found in a gun safe in the garage and a needle cap was found in the dryer.[1] According to the indictment, prescription records show his last BAM purchase was in March 2018, and that from 2017 to 2020 no other private citizen or business in the surrounding counties bought it; only Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the National Park Service did.[1] "Ultimately, the prescription records show that when Suzanne Morphew disappeared, only one private citizen living in that entire area of the state had access to BAM: Barry Morphew," the indictment states.[1]

Morphew pleaded not guilty in Alamosa County on Jan. 12, 2026.[25] His lawyers have filed dozens of pretrial motions, including requests to bar witnesses from saying he "looked guilty" or "looked like he is hiding something" and to exclude statements attributed to Suzanne Morphew.[22] At a July 6, 2026 hearing, District Attorney Anne Kelly said she intends to introduce evidence of physical abuse in the marriage; defense attorney David Beller said he did not believe domestic violence is "at issue in this case."[20]

### Bond and the Denver incident

Morphew posted a $3 million bond and was released in September 2025.[17][2] His release conditions required GPS monitoring and barred him from leaving home except for work and other limited reasons.[16][14]

In a Sept. 2, 2026 order, Hopkins wrote that a driver reported that Morphew drove aggressively and struck two vehicles in Denver on Aug. 26, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m.[7] According to the order, he refused to give his name or identification, said he had no insurance, offered the other driver $300, and left after she said she was calling police, nearly striking another person and driving over a curb.[7] Having reviewed part of a video of the incident, the court found the person in it was "very clearly the Defendant."[7] The same order said no court had yet found probable cause for any felony arising from the incident.[7] KRDO reported that he faces traffic charges tied to it; the specific charges were not reported in the sources reviewed.[12]

Prosecutors alleged that GPS data showed he had driven to Denver International Airport when he had permission to leave home only for work, and argued that "to go to the airport for any purpose other than work constitutes a breach of his bond."[5] His lawyer said it was possible he had gone to pick up his daughter, according to the filing.[5] Hopkins issued a warrant on Sept. 3, and he was arrested and jailed.[4][16][15]

At the Sept. 8 hearing, Special Deputy District Attorney Fred Johnson argued Morphew could easily have boarded a plane and left the country: "We are very, very concerned he has just demonstrated what he's going to do when push comes to shove."[14] Fisher-Byrialsen asked to keep the $3 million bond with home confinement and argued the traffic infractions did not make him a danger to the community.[13] Hopkins said he had shown a "capacity to commit new offenses while out on bond," and raised the bond to $10 million, cash only.[13][3] If he posts it, he may not leave the San Luis Valley without the court's permission, must wear GPS and may leave home only for court or a medical emergency by ambulance.[3]

### Trial scheduling

Trial was first set for Oct. 13, 2026.[25] On June 25, 2026, Hopkins granted in part a defense motion to continue, vacated the October trial and directed the parties to propose a new date beginning before July 1, 2027.[8] Defense attorneys cited a "mountain of discovery," the Alamosa Citizen reported, and Hopkins cited the "unbelievable amount of information both sides are going through."[18][19] On July 6, 2026, with both sides' agreement, she set trial for July 19, 2027, and said she would be "hard-pressed" to grant further continuances.[18][17]

### The remains dispute

In February 2026, the couple's daughters asked the court to release their mother's remains to them for a memorial.[24][23] Prosecutors said Morphew had authorized the remains' release to a funeral home for cremation, and that they recovered them under a search warrant on Feb. 19, the day before the planned cremation.[24] Kelly argued the family had no authority to obtain evidence lawfully seized before trial; Morphew's lawyers said he took no position on the request.[24] The court's case records show the motion was withdrawn in March 2026.[2]

## Personal backstory

### Early life and family

Morphew was born Oct. 17, 1967, according to a Chaffee County sheriff's release reported by WISH-TV.[33] He and Suzanne Morphew grew up in Alexandria, Indiana, met in high school, attended Purdue University and married in 1994, CBS News' "48 Hours" reported.[28] They have two daughters.[28] Suzanne Morphew taught middle school before becoming a full-time mother, according to the same report.[28]

### Work and the move to Colorado

He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, but an injury ended his baseball prospects, and he later started a landscaping business, "48 Hours" reported.[28] He had a deer farm in Indiana before the family moved to Colorado in 2018, the Deseret News reported.[27] The family moved from Alexandria to the Salida area in the spring of 2018, WISH-TV reported.[33]

### The ballot case

On July 21, 2022, Morphew pleaded guilty in Chaffee County District Court to forgery, a class 5 felony, for casting his missing wife's ballot in the 2020 election; two other charges were dismissed under the plea agreement.[30] According to court documents, he told an FBI agent in April 2021, "Just because I wanted Trump to win. I just thought, give him another vote. I figured all these other guys are cheating."[31]

### Mental health

*No testimony, finding or on-record statement about Morphew's mental health was found in the sources reviewed.*

### In custody

According to an Arizona Department of Public Safety arrest report described by Denver7, he had been living in Arizona under the name "Lee Moore" before his 2025 arrest; the indictment lists the name as an alias.[21][1] He was returned to Colorado and booked in Alamosa County.[17] In seeking a lower bond in August 2025, his lawyers wrote: "He is an honest person who is genuinely eager to clear his name so that his former fine reputation can be restored."[26] He has been jailed since his arrest in early September 2026.[16][14] In a May 2023 interview with ABC News, before the current charge, he said investigators had tunnel vision and that he had done nothing wrong, ABC News reported.[29] *No public statement by Morphew since the 2025 indictment was found in the sources reviewed.*

## Where the parties stand

- Prosecution: The indictment alleges that Morphew's account of the morning Suzanne disappeared is contradicted by phone, vehicle and camera data, and that tranquilizer drugs found in her remains were ones he had used on deer.[1] It states that "only one private citizen living in that entire area of the state had access to BAM: Barry Morphew."[1] District Attorney Anne Kelly has said she intends to introduce evidence of physical abuse in the marriage.[20] Prosecutors argued in September 2026 that his conduct while on bond showed "an extreme flight risk."[5]
- Defense: Morphew has maintained his innocence since his wife disappeared.[17] After the indictment, attorney David Beller said, "Yet again, the government allows their predetermined conclusion to lead their search for evidence."[27] His lawyers have asked the court to bar witnesses from offering opinions that he "looked guilty" or "looked suspicious," and to exclude statements attributed to Suzanne.[22] Beller said he did not believe domestic violence is "at issue in this case."[20] On bond, attorney Jane Fisher-Byrialsen noted that he had not fled during six years of prosecution on and off, and said he "wants his day in court."[14][13]
- Victim's family: Suzanne Morphew's brother filed a victim impact statement in August 2025 opposing his release: "The interim release of Barry Morphew should under no circumstances be granted."[26] The couple's daughters have stood by their father, the Deseret News reported.[27]

## Timeline

- May 10, 2020: Suzanne Morphew is reported missing from the family's Chaffee County home on Mother's Day.[1]
- May 5, 2021: Morphew is arrested; prosecutors later charge him with first-degree murder and four other crimes.[33][10]
- April 19, 2022: At prosecutors' request, the court dismisses the charges without prejudice, days before trial, after most prosecution experts were excluded as a sanction.[32][11]
- Sept. 22, 2023: Suzanne Morphew's remains are found in a shallow grave in Saguache County.[1]
- April 29, 2024: The El Paso County coroner's autopsy report, ruling her death a homicide, is released.[29]
- June 20, 2025: A grand jury indictment for first-degree murder is announced; Morphew is arrested in Arizona.[9]
- Sept. 2025: Morphew is released on a $3 million bond with GPS monitoring.[17][2]
- Jan. 12, 2026: Morphew pleads not guilty in Alamosa County.[25]
- July 6, 2026: The October 2026 trial having been vacated at the defense's request, the court sets trial for July 19 to Aug. 27, 2027.[8][17]
- Sept. 8, 2026: After an alleged hit-and-run in Denver, Hopkins raises his bond to $10 million, cash only.[3][14]

## What happens next

A virtual status conference is set for Nov. 3, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.[2][12] The Mountain Mail reported that it falls the day after pretrial motions are due.[13] Trial is set to begin July 19, 2027; Hopkins has said she would be "hard-pressed" to grant further continuances.[17][18]

## Sources

1. [Grand Jury Indictment, People v. Barry Morphew (12th Judicial District Grand Jury)](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/Grand%20Jury%20Indictment_0.pdf). Colorado Judicial Branch, filed June 20, 2025. (court or official record)
2. [People of the State of Colorado v. Barry Morphew, 2025CR128 (case updates and filings)](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/node/13869). Colorado Judicial Branch, accessed Oct. 28, 2026. (court or official record)
3. [Order Regarding Motion to Modify Bond Conditions Pursuant to C.R.S. 16-4-109](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/Order%20Regarding%20Motion%20to%20Modify%20Bond%20Conditions%20Pursuant%20to%20C.R.S.%2016-4-109.pdf). Alamosa County District Court, Sept. 8, 2026. (court or official record)
4. [Order re People's Verified Application, Request for Warrant for Defendant's Arrest, and Motion to Modify Defendant's Bond](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/Order%20re%20People%27s%20Verified%20Application%20Pursuant%20to%20CRS%2016-4-109%284%29%2C%20Request%20for%20Warrant%20for%20Defendant%27s%20Arrest%2C%20and%20Motion%20to%20Modify%20Defendant%27s%20Bond.pdf). Alamosa County District Court, Sept. 3, 2026. (court or official record)
5. [Verified Application Pursuant to CRS 16-4-109(4), Request for Warrant and Motion to Modify Bond](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/Verified%20Application%20Pursuant%20to%20CRS%2016-4-109%284%29%20Request%20for%20Warrant%20and%20Motion%20to%20Modify%20Bond.pdf). 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Sept. 3, 2026. (court or official record)
6. [People's Motion to Modify Bond Pursuant to C.R.S. 16-4-409(1)](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/PEOPLE%E2%80%99S%20MOTION%20TO%20MODIFY%20BOND%20PURSUANT%20TO%20C.R.S.%2016-4-409%281%29.pdf). 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Sept. 2, 2026. (court or official record)
7. [Order Concerning Alleged Violation of Conditional Release and Further Orders](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/Order%20Concerning%20Alleged%20Violation%20of%20Conditional%20Release%20and%20Further%20Orders.pdf). Alamosa County District Court, Sept. 2, 2026. (court or official record)
8. [Order D-048 re Defendant's Motion to Continue Trial and Hearings Scheduled for July 6-11](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/Order%20D-048%20Re%20Defendants%20Motion%20To%20Continue%20Trial%20and%20Hearings%20Scheduled%20for%20July%206-11.pdf). Alamosa County District Court, June 25, 2026. (court or official record)
9. [Indictment of Barry Morphew (release issued for the 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office)](https://cbi.colorado.gov/news-article/indictment-of-barry-morphew). Colorado Bureau of Investigation, June 20, 2025. (court or official record)
10. [Amended Complaint and Information, People v. Barry Lee Morphew, 21CR78](https://coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/21CR78%20Morphew%20Amended%20Complaint%20and%20Information%20051821.pdf). Chaffee County District Court, May 18, 2021. (court or official record)
11. [In the Matter of Linda Stanley, 2025 CO 51, No. 24SA263](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/system/files/opinions-2025-09/24SA263.pdf). Colorado Supreme Court, Sept. 8, 2025. (court or official record)
12. [Barry Morphew, man accused of killing wife in 2020, bond increased to $10 million cash-only](https://krdo.com/news/crime/2026/09/08/barry-morphew-ten-million-bond/). KRDO, Sept. 8, 2026. (news report)
13. [Judge Hopkins increases Morphew's bond to $10 million, confines him to San Luis Valley](https://www.themountainmail.com/news/judge-hopkins-increases-morphew-s-bond-to-10-million-confines-him-to-san-luis-valley/article_459a1e13-06e2-45b2-b87a-8b1b440496ba.html). The Mountain Mail, Sept. 8, 2026. (news report)
14. [Judge increases bond to $10M for Colorado man charged with killing his wife](https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/judge-increases-bond-10m-colorado-man-charged-killing-136287516). Associated Press via ABC News, Sept. 8, 2026. (news report)
15. [Colorado judge orders bond increased to $10 million for Barry Morphew after arrest](https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-judge-bond-increase-10-million-barry-morphew-arrest/). CBS Colorado, Sept. 9, 2026. (news report)
16. [Man who was free on bond in wife's alleged killing is jailed after hit-and-run](https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/colorado-man-free-bond-wifes-alleged-killing-jailed-136215862). Associated Press via ABC News, Sept. 4, 2026. (news report)
17. [Trial date set for Barry Morphew, Colorado man accused of killing his wife Suzanne Morphew](https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/trial-date-barry-morphew-colorado-accused-killing-wife-suzanne-morphew/). CBS Colorado, July 7, 2026. (news report)
18. [Barry Morphew trial set for July 2027](https://www.themountainmail.com/news/barry-morphew-trial-set-for-july-2027/article_feb889f4-1cea-4dc7-bc36-9380f5728cc4.html). Alamosa Citizen via The Mountain Mail, July 7, 2026. (news report)
19. [Barry Morphew trial pushed back to 2027](https://gazette.com/2026/06/24/barry-morphew-trial-pushed-back-to-2027/). The Denver Gazette via The Gazette, July 6, 2026. (news report)
20. [Prosecutor plans to enter physical abuse evidence in Barry Morphew murder trial](https://www.denvergazette.com/prosecutor-plans-to-enter-physical-abuse-evidence-in-barry-morphew-murder-trial/). The Denver Gazette, July 6, 2026. (news report)
21. [New arrest report reveals Barry Morphew was using a fake name in Arizona before 2025 re-arrest](https://www.denver7.com/news/investigations/new-arrest-report-reveals-barry-morphew-was-using-a-fake-name-in-arizona-before-2025-re-arrest). Denver7, June 22, 2026. (news report)
22. [Barry Morphew's lawyers ask that certain witness comments not be allowed at trial, file 31 motions since last month](https://www.kjct8.com/2026/05/20/barry-morphews-lawyers-ask-that-certain-witness-comments-not-be-allowed-trial-file-31-motions-since-last-month/). KKTV via KJCT8, May 19, 2026. (news report)
23. [Judge gives Morphew daughters opportunity to speak in Colorado murder case dating back to 2020](https://www.kjct8.com/2026/03/09/judge-gives-morphew-daughters-opportunity-speak-colorado-murder-case-dating-back-2020). KKTV via KJCT8, March 9, 2026. (news report)
24. [DA asks judge to deny request for Suzanne Morphew's remains](https://gazette.com/2026/03/05/da-asks-judge-to-deny-request-for-suzanne-morphews-remains/). The Denver Gazette via The Gazette, March 5, 2026. (news report)
25. [Barry Morphew pleads not guilty in Suzanne Morphew's murder for a second time](https://www.denver7.com/news/crime/barry-morphew-pleads-not-guilty-in-suzanne-morphews-murder-for-a-second-time). Denver7, Jan. 12, 2026. (news report)
26. [Barry Morphew expected to fight for lower bond during Tuesday court appearance](https://www.denver7.com/news/suzanne-morphew/barry-morphew-expected-to-fight-for-lower-bond-during-tuesday-court-appearance). Denver7, Sept. 2, 2025. (news report)
27. [The missing person case that gripped Colorado](https://www.deseret.com/the-west/2025/06/23/colorado-barry-morphew-murder-indictment-suzanne-morphew). Deseret News, June 23, 2025. (news report)
28. [Suzanne Morphew's husband rearrested for her murder after her remains reveal presence of tranquilizer drugs](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/suzanne-barry-morphew-colorado-mother-murdered-abducted). CBS News "48 Hours," updated July 5, 2025. (news report)
29. [Authorities release autopsy report of Suzanne Morphew, the mom who vanished on Mother's Day](https://abc7.com/post/suzanne-morphew-missing-mother-mothers-day-homicide/14742578/). ABC News via ABC7, April 29, 2024. (news report)
30. [Barry Morphew pleads guilty to forgery after voting with missing wife's ballot](https://denver7.com/news/local-news/barry-morphew-pleads-guilty-to-forgery-after-voting-with-missing-wifes-ballot). Denver7, July 21, 2022. (news report)
31. [Colorado man pleads guilty to casting missing wife's ballot](https://www.cpr.org/2022/07/24/colorado-man-pleads-guilty-to-casting-missing-wifes-ballot/). Associated Press via Colorado Public Radio, July 24, 2022. (news report)
32. [Judge grants prosecution's motion to dismiss Barry Morphew murder case](https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/judge-grants-prosecutions-motion-to-dismiss-barry-morphew-murder-case). Denver7, April 19, 2022. (news report)
33. [Husband of missing Indiana native charged with murder in Colorado](https://wishtv.com/?p=550853). WISH-TV, May 2021. (news report)