Crime House Daily: Night Watch - Tranquilized on Mother’s Day: New Charges in the Suzanne Morphew Case
Host: Katie Ring
Date: September 29, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode delivers an in-depth dive into the Suzanne Morphew disappearance and murder case, focusing on the latest development: new murder charges against her husband, Barry Morphew, after the discovery of critical physical evidence. Host Katie Ring unpacks the case’s tangled chronology, key suspects, prosecutorial blunders, and the forensics that may finally send Barry Morphew to trial for a second time.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Disappearance & Initial Investigation

[03:26 – 08:45]

• Suzanne Morphew vanished on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2020, from her Salida, Colorado, home.
• Initially, authorities suspected a biking accident or possibly a kidnapping, based on her missing mountain bike, which was found abandoned but undamaged.
• “With no body, no clothing, no blood, and no sign of an accident or struggle at the scene, it's looking increasingly unlikely that Suzanne had a bad biking accident. So the police turn their suspicions to the likeliest suspect, Barry.” (Katie Ring, 08:03)

2. The Morphew Family Background & Marital Tension

• Suzanne and Barry were high school sweethearts, married in 1994, moved to Colorado in 2018 with their two daughters.
• Behind the “happy family” façade, the Morphews were dealing with marital and financial troubles, and Suzanne suspected Barry of infidelity.
• Text sent by Suzanne to Barry just days before her disappearance:
  “I'm done. I could care less what you're up to and have been for years. We just need to figure this out civilly.” (Katie Ring, 06:37)

3. Barry Morphew’s Odd Behavior & Suspicious Evidence

[11:38 – 13:34]

• Timeline inconsistencies: Barry says he went to bed at 8 pm and left for work early, but truck data and phone evidence suggest activity throughout the night.
• Investigators find a syringe cap for a tranquilizer dart in the family dryer and learn of Barry’s illegal use of tranquilizers on wildlife for antler harvesting.
• Barry explained odd cell phone data by claiming to chase chipmunks around his property, a claim unsupported by any evidence.
• There’s a crack in the Morphews’ bedroom door frame, raising suspicions of a struggle.

4. The Spy Pen, Secret Affair, and Other Suspects

[14:34 – 16:00]

• Discovery of a “spy pen” in the Morphew’s bedroom closet, used by Suzanne to catch Barry in an affair, but instead capturing her own relationship with Jeff Libler, an old high school boyfriend.
  • Libler, however, had an airtight alibi.
• Unknown male DNA was found on Suzanne’s car glove box, linked to a serial sexual assailant active in the Southwest—not Barry or Jeff.

5. Prosecutorial Mishandling and Legal Setbacks

[16:00 – 17:45]

• Lead prosecutor, Linda Stanley, failed to disclose the DNA evidence to the defense, leading to sanctions and exclusion of key witnesses.
• Nine days before trial, prosecution dropped charges—case dismissed without prejudice (charges could be refiled).
• Barry Morphew sued for damages; prosecutor Linda Stanley was later disbarred.

6. Critical Breakthrough: Discovery of Suzanne’s Remains

[19:39 – 21:00]

• In September 2023, Suzanne's remains were found by accident during an unrelated search, about an hour south of her home, buried in a shallow grave.
• Forensic testing revealed the presence of BAM (a veterinary tranquilizer) in her bones—direct forensic evidence supporting the tranquilizer theory.
  • “The remains revealed something else as well. Her bones contained traces of a chemical mixture known as BAM, which is often used to sedate deer and other large animals. It's clear this was no accident.” (Katie Ring, 20:09)
• BAM is a restricted substance; Barry Morphew was the only private citizen in the area with legal access to it.

7. New Charges & What Comes Next

[21:00 – End]

• Based on this new forensic evidence, Barry was arrested in June 2025 outside Phoenix and charged with first-degree murder.
• He’s now awaiting trial in Colorado with a $3 million bail. The trial is expected in summer 2026.
• His daughters, Mallory and Macy, continue to support their father.
  • “You never want to believe that your father is capable of something like this, but you do want justice for your mother.” (Katie Ring, 22:12)
• The next status conference (pre-trial check-in) is slated for November 2025.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the twist in the investigation:
  “A recovered bike, chipmunks, a spy pen, and a secret love affair pointed them in a completely different direction.” (Katie Ring, 01:21)
• On the tranquilizer evidence:
  “During a search... officers discover a clear plastic cap in the Morphew's dryer. The kind of cap you would find on a syringe used to fill a tranquilizer dart.” (Katie Ring, 11:45)
• Human impact of the case:
  “I can't imagine what his daughters are going through. It's a terrible situation to be in. You never want to believe that your father is capable of something like this, but you do want justice for your mother.” (Katie Ring, 22:12)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:59]: Major development in Suzanne Morphew case and Barry's re-indictment
• [04:03] – [10:48]: Background on the Morphews, Suzanne’s disappearance, and the early investigation
• [11:38] – [14:34]: Forensic breakthroughs—tranquilizer evidence, cell phone data, and timeline irregularities
• [14:34] – [16:00]: Spy pen discovery, Suzanne’s affair, and third-party DNA
• [16:00] – [17:45]: Legal meltdown and dropped charges
• [19:39] – [21:00]: Discovery of Suzanne’s remains, forensics, and link to BAM
• [21:00] – End: Arrest, new charges, upcoming trial

Tone and Host’s Style

Katie Ring offers sharp analysis with empathy for the victims and their families, balancing technical forensic details with the emotional complexity of the case. Her delivery is direct, factual, and sensitive to ongoing legal proceedings.

Summary Conclusion:
This episode provides a thorough update on a headline case marked by shocking forensic evidence, failed prosecution, and the emotional fallout for the Morphew family. The new charges against Barry Morphew rest heavily on tranquilizer evidence and the recent discovery of Suzanne’s remains, promising a climactic trial in 2026. Crime House Daily will continue to follow every development.