SEQUESTERED Podcast – Episode: "Suzanne Morphew: Murdered in 2020 (Salida, CO) | Part One"

Introduction

In the gripping first installment of Season Two of the SEQUESTERED podcast, hosted by Sarah Reed from Road Trip Studios, listeners are immersed in the mysterious disappearance and subsequent murder of Suzanne Morphew in Salida, Colorado. This episode meticulously unravels the events leading up to Suzanne's vanishing on Mother's Day 2020, the suspicious actions of her husband Barry Morphew, and the initial investigative hurdles faced by authorities.

Background: Who Was Suzanne Morphew?

Suzanne Morphew was a beloved wife, devoted mother of two teenage daughters, and a resilient former schoolteacher who had triumphantly battled cancer twice. In 2018, she and her husband Barry relocated from Indiana to a picturesque home on Puma Path in Salida, Colorado, seeking a fresh start amidst the serene wilderness. Their modern mountain-style residence, nestled on eight acres of open land, epitomized their aspirations for a peaceful, close-knit family life.

The Fateful Day: Mother's Day, May 10, 2020

The episode delves into the serene yet unsettling ambiance of Mother’s Day morning. While the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morphew household experienced an abrupt and tragic disruption. Sarah Reed describes the day, emphasizing the normalcy that was shattered:

“It was a perfect, peaceful start to Mother's Day. But nothing about that day stayed normal for long.” (00:47)

Suzanne’s sudden disappearance set off a chain of bewildering events that would eventually hint at deeper, more sinister undertones.

Barry’s Unusual Behavior and Mysterious Activities

Barry Morphew’s actions on the day of Suzanne’s disappearance raise immediate suspicions. According to police reports and surveillance footage:

• Early Morning Departure: Barry left home around 4:30 AM to work on a retaining wall in Broomfield, Colorado.

• Suspicious Trash Disposal: From 8:10 AM onwards, Barry made multiple trips to dispose of trash at various locations, including a McDonald's and a car wash, without providing clear explanations. Police noted:

  “He never explained why he was making so many stops or why he was so focused on finding places to throw things away.” (06:25)

• Limited Work Presence: Barry’s presence at the job site was brief and questionable, especially since work was prohibited on Sundays due to pandemic restrictions.

• Unusual Returns to the Hotel: Barry’s return to the Holiday Inn Express at 12:30 PM, where he dumped more items, further deepened the mystery.

As the day progressed, Barry’s lack of communication and erratic behavior became increasingly concerning to those around him.

Discovery of Suzanne’s Bike and Initial Police Involvement

By mid-afternoon, the absence of Suzanne was reported by neighbors and family members. Detective involvement began swiftly:

• Jean Ritter’s Concern: Suzanne’s neighbor, Jean Ritter, unable to reach her or her daughters, notified the police after noticing Suzanne’s Range Rover missing her usual mountain bike.

• Findings on County Road 225: Deputy investigators discovered Suzanne’s mountain bike on a steep, grassy hillside near County Road 225. The state of the bike was peculiar—twisted handlebars and no signs of an accident or struggle:

  “It looks more like someone had rolled the bike right off the edge of the road and walked away.” (15:20)

Suspicious Elements and Investigative Red Flags

The podcast meticulously outlines several red flags that emerged during the investigation:

• Unusual Footage Interpretation: The bike’s disarray did not align with typical accident scenarios, prompting questions about the circumstances of its placement.

• Miles Harden’s Testimony: Suzanne’s boyfriend, Miles Harden, provided insights that contradicted Barry’s initial narrative. Miles pointed out that Suzanne was highly unlikely to have ridden up the challenging Mount Shavano trail where her bike was found:

  “She never would have gone up that trail. It’s really hard; someone would have to push their bike before riding.” (16:23)

• Barry’s Inconsistent Statements: Barry’s interactions with the police, including his fixation on the bike’s condition and his vague responses, raised further suspicions:

  “He didn’t ask where Suzanne was. He didn’t ask if they'd seen any sign of her.” (19:31)

Critical Evidence Unearthed

As the investigation deepened, crucial pieces of evidence surfaced:

• Suzanne’s Helmet Found: On May 13, Suzanne’s teal-colored helmet was discovered near Highway 50, containing a note with her contact information for her family.

• Barry’s Plea for Suzanne: Barry posted a poignant 25-second video plea on Facebook, expressing his desire to find Suzanne without any accompanying investigation or public statements, which seemed oddly detached given the gravity of the situation:

  “If anyone is out there that can hear this, that has you, please. We'll do whatever it takes to bring you back.” (25:05)

• Incongruent Items in the Morphew Home: Later discoveries, including a plastic needle cap and a spy pen with intimate recordings, hinted at possible abuses and manipulations within the household.

Community Response and Ongoing Search Efforts

The Salida community rallied together in the search for Suzanne, employing search and rescue teams, volunteers, dogs, and even drones. A substantial reward was offered, escalating to $200,000, reflecting the community’s commitment to finding Suzanne. Despite these efforts, the perplexing nature of Suzanne’s disappearance left investigators questioning the initial assumptions.

Conclusion: A Case Replete with Questions

By the end of Part One, it’s evident that Suzanne Morphew’s disappearance was anything but straightforward. The combination of Barry’s suspicious behavior, conflicting testimonies, and unexplained evidence laid the groundwork for a complex investigation that veered away from a simple missing person case to potential foul play. Sarah Reed concludes the episode by teasing the deeper secrets and evidence that will emerge in Part Two, setting the stage for the unraveling of a tangled web of deceit and tragedy.

“The night ended with a missing woman, a staged bike, and a husband who mentioned mountain lions before anyone asked a single question. But that was just the beginning.” (23:35)

Notable Quotes

• Sarah Reed: “On paper, it looked perfect. But by the afternoon, something felt off.” (00:47)

• Officer (15:20): “Sliding. Chippy, buddy, can you try to call the husband and see the type of fighter I’m standing is Santa Cruz blue in color.”

• Miles Harden: “She’s a great mountain biker, but she would never have gone up that trail.” (16:23)

• Sarah Reed: “It wasn’t damaged. It wasn’t tangled in brush. No scrapes or drag marks. No blood. It just looked out of place.” (23:32)

• Barry Morphew: “Oh, Suzanne, if anyone is out there that can hear this, that has you, please. We'll do whatever it takes to bring you back.” (25:05)

Looking Ahead

As Part One concludes, listeners are left with a multitude of questions about Suzanne Morphew’s disappearance and the authenticity of Barry Morphew’s account. The upcoming second part promises to delve deeper into the hidden evidence within the Morphew household, the intricate details leading to Barry’s arrest, and the eventual unraveling of this tragic cold case.

Additional Resources

For those eager to explore further, visit sequesteredpod.com to access body cam footage, photos of the case, Barry Morphew’s plea video, and more.

Special thanks to crimetimeline.com and the dedicated community of online sleuths on Reddit for their invaluable contributions to piecing together this complex timeline.