Colorado man “stalked” his wife in murder plot, officials say

Law enforcement documents released Monday during Suzanne Morphew’s disappearance allege that her husband “stalked” her and staged a crime scene after she revealed she was going to leave him.

Barry Morphew, 53, who has been charged with first degree murder and other felonies in the alleged death of his wife, was released from a Colorado jail on Monday after posting $ 500,000 cash bail.

He pleaded not guilty.

Video from outside the Chaffee County Jail on Monday showed him walking out of the building with the two daughters he had with his wife. He did not answer journalists’ questions.

The body of Suzanne Morphew, 49, has never been found. Her mountain bike and helmet were discovered alongside a county road in Salida, Colo., Near the family home on May 10 – Mother’s Day.

Neighbors had reported her missing, and police found no damage to the bike or blood nearby, according to the arrest affidavit released on Monday.

In the 129-page document, Colorado’s 11th Judicial District chief investigator cited a relative, friend and secretly recorded notes taken by Suzanne Morphew that described her husband as abusive and controlling.

She had long suspected her husband was having affairs, and she started having one in 2019 with a man she had attended high school with, the affidavit states.

In an interview with law enforcement officials, Barry Morphew denied having any affairs and said he never abused his wife. He also denied knowing about his wife’s affair.

Four days before Suzanne Morphew disappeared, she texted her telling her the relationship was “over.”

“Let’s treat this civilly,” she said, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit accuses Barry Morphew of having taken “steps to control her, neutralize her, stage a crime scene and create an alibi for her disappearance.”

By May 9, the document continues, “it had become clear that Barry couldn’t control Suzanne’s insistence on leaving him, and he resorted to something he has done his whole life – hunting and controlling Suzanne like if he had hunted and controlled animals “.

In interviews with authorities, Barry Morphew has denied being involved in his wife’s death and has suggested other people he believes may be responsible, including those close to Suzanne Morphew or a drug dealer.

He added that there was no evidence of his wife’s death – although investigators “are absolutely certain,” authorities said.

“It’s very disturbing for me,” he said.