A Colorado man arrested on a murder charge in the presumed death of his wife who disappeared last Mother's Day was scheduled to make his first court appearance on Thursday.
Barry Morphew, 53, was taken into custody without incident Wednesday near his home in a mountain community in southern Colorado, a move authorities say was the result of an extensive and ongoing investigation that has so far failed to find the body of Suzanne Morphew. However, after conducting over 135 searches across Colorado and interviewing 400 people in multiple states, investigators believe the mother of two daughters is dead, Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze said.
A week after she went missing on May 10, 2020, Barry Morphew posted a video on Facebook pleading for her safe return.
“No questions asked, however much they want, I will do whatever it takes to get you back,” he said.
Barry Morphew is set to be advised by a judge of the charges he was arrested on: first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and attempting to influence a public official.
The arrest affidavit outlining the evidence leading investigators to believe Morphew is responsible for his wife’s death has been sealed, District Attorney Linda Stanley said. When investigators began asking questions after his arrest, Morphew asked for a lawyer and the questioning stopped, she said.
One of two state public defenders who have notified the court that they are representing Morphew, Daniel Zettler, said he could not comment on the case under office policy.