Crime House 24/7 – Episode Summary Episode Title: Breaking: Man Pleads Not Guilty to Wife’s Tranquilizer Death | Crime House 24/7
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Date: January 14, 2026

Overview

In this breaking-news daytime episode, Vanessa Richardson delivers updates on several major true crime cases across the United States. The show leads with the latest on Barry Morphew, who has pleaded not guilty a second time in the murder of his wife, Suzanne Morphew—a case involving tranquilizers and hidden motives. Additional segments include a violent police impersonation and kidnapping in Tennessee, a double homicide in Ohio and its legal developments, a tragic murder-suicide in Utah’s Canyonlands, and ongoing coverage of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Montana. The episode’s tone is urgent, informed, and focused on factual reporting, offering listeners a rapid but detailed look at the day’s biggest crime stories.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Barry Morphew Pleads Not Guilty – Suzanne Morphew Case

(Start: 01:59)

• Background: Barry Morphew, accused of killing his wife Suzanne with a wildlife tranquilizer in 2020, pleaded not guilty in a Colorado court for the second time.
• Case Timeline:
  • Suzanne disappeared on May 10, 2020, after a Mother’s Day bike ride; her body was only found three years later.
  • Morphew’s indictment occurred in June 2025, and this latest plea sets a tentative trial for October 13, 2026.
  • Morphew remains free on bond in Arizona under court monitoring, having waived his right to a speedy trial.
• Investigation Details:
  • “Her bicycle and helmet were found hours later down an embankment… there was no blood at the scene or evidence of a scuffle in the dirt.” (Vanessa Richardson, 03:10)
  • Focus turned to Morphew due to marital issues; discrepancies were found in his timeline and truck/cell data.
  • Forensics revealed chemical traces (BAM: butorphanol, azaperone, medetomidine—tranquilizers for wildlife) in Suzanne’s bones.
  • Morphew admitted to access and use of these chemicals for hunting.
  • Motive hinted at marital discord and affairs (“Suzanne had a spy pen in her husband’s closet…She allegedly hoped to catch him in an affair. Instead, she recorded conversations that she had with her own secret lover.” (Vanessa Richardson, 05:34))
• Current Status: Morphew’s two daughters attend hearings and stand by him; pretrial litigation continues.

Notable Quote:
“Human remains were discovered in a remote area of Saguache county… later confirmed to belong to Suzanne Morphew. An autopsy ruled her death a homicide, though the cause of death was listed as undetermined due to decomposition.” (Vanessa Richardson, 05:00)

2. Police Impersonation and Kidnapping in Tennessee

(Segment starts: 09:35)

• Incident: A group of suspects in Shelby County used fake police lights to pull over and kidnap a driver. The suspects, armed and pretending to be police, forced the man from his vehicle, took control, and drove him to his home. The victim’s home alarm system triggered, prompting the kidnappers to flee. The victim escaped and called 911.
• Law Enforcement Response:
  • “The use of police style lighting played a key role in the crime, allowing the suspects to gain compliance before the victim realized he was not dealing with legitimate officers.” (Vanessa Richardson, 10:34)
  • No suspects caught yet; police reviewing surveillance footage.
  • Public warned to beware of unmarked vehicles and police impersonators; urged to call 911 if unsure about any stop.
• Context: Part of a pattern—Memphis has seen similar fake-police-carjackings recently.

3. Ohio Double Homicide – Tepe Case and Extradition Update

(Segment starts: 12:32)

• Key Update: Michael David McKee, ex-husband of victim Monique Tepe, waived extradition from Illinois to Ohio. He intends to plead not guilty to charges concerning the murder of Monique and Spencer Tepe on December 30, 2025.
• Details:
  • McKee is a vascular surgeon, formerly married to Monique (no children, divorced in 2017).
  • Arrest followed surveillance footage evidence and a 10-day manhunt.
  • The couple’s two young children were found unharmed at home.
  • McKee’s employer is cooperating with authorities.
• Procedural Note: “Waving extradition means that McKee has agreed to be transferred back to Ohio from Illinois where he was arrested. It doesn’t represent an admission of guilt, but it does allow the case to move forward more quickly…” (Vanessa Richardson, 12:42)

4. Utah Canyonlands: Alleged Murder-Suicide of Mother and Child

(Segment starts: 14:54)

• Situation: Bodies of a mother and her six-year-old son were discovered in a car at Canyonlands National Park; found after being reported missing by the father.
• Investigation Findings:
  • Scene indicated no forced entry; gun found in vehicle.
  • Preliminary evidence: the child was shot first, then the mother took her own life.
  • “Officials have reiterated that violent incidents remain rare in the park and that normal operations continue as the investigation remains active.” (Vanessa Richardson, 16:37)
• Victims’ Names: Withheld due to ongoing investigation.

5. Spotlight: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Montana

(Segment starts: 19:02)

• Theme: In-depth look at three major unsolved cases—the disappearances of Jermaine Charlo (2018), Ashley Loring Heavy Runner (2017), and Donna Mae Prentiss (1974)—framed within the wider crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW).
• Systemic Issues:
  • High rates of violence and lower case resolution for Indigenous women in rural and reservation areas.
  • Jurisdictional and geographic challenges hamper investigations; underreporting persists.
• Case Summaries:
  • Jermaine Charlo: Last seen leaving a nightclub in Missoula; car found abandoned; total digital silence since vanishing.
  • Ashley Loring Heavy Runner: Disappeared from Blackfeet Nation, extensive search but no results, person of interest named but no progress.
  • Donna Mae Prentiss: Vanished in 1974 while hitchhiking; partial remains later found; emblematic of investigative neglect from past decades.
• Broader Insight:
  • “These three cases span more than 40 years, but they’re connected by more than geography. They reflect a broader reality faced by Indigenous women, one shaped by violence, underreporting, jurisdictional complexity, and the challenges of solving crimes in rural spaces.” (Vanessa Richardson, 25:15)
  • Host directs listeners to the "Clues" segment for more in-depth coverage.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Her daughters, who were on a camping trip, texted Suzanne to wish her a happy Mother’s Day, but Suzanne didn’t respond. When they told Morphew, he allegedly asked one of his neighbors to go check on her… specifically asking them to look for Suzanne’s mountain bike.” — Vanessa Richardson [04:00]
• “For Indigenous families, those delays are not abstract—they are lived experiences. The missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis is not just about numbers. It’s about stories that remain unfinished, families who continue to search, and systems still struggling to respond effectively.” — Vanessa Richardson [25:55]
• “If you want more long form true crime that looks beyond headlines and asks why some cases are harder to solve than others, consider subscribing. Because in places, this vast silence can last a very long time. Unless people keep listening…” — Vanessa Richardson [27:15]

Important Segment Guide

| Segment/Topic | Start Time | |---------------------------------------------------|------------| | Barry Morphew Not Guilty Plea / Suzanne Morphew | 01:59 | | Tennessee Police Impersonation & Kidnapping | 09:35 | | Ohio Double Homicide (Tepe) - McKee Extradition | 12:32 | | Utah National Park Murder-Suicide | 14:54 | | MMIW Focus & Montana Unsolved Cases | 19:02 |

Summary
This Crime House 24/7 episode is a brisk, information-packed survey of major developing crime stories—anchored by detailed reporting and compassionate insights, especially in the segment highlighting the MMIW crisis. Host Vanessa Richardson maintains a tone of urgency, empathy, and clarity, making complex legal and investigative updates digestible for a wide audience. The episode’s structure—major case lead-in, rapid-fire updates, and a deeper investigative section—serves both breaking-news followers and listeners seeking a broader social context.