What Happened to Suzanne Morphew? All About Her Disappearance and Husband Barry’s Arrest

Investigators on Wednesday announced they had found the remains of Suzanne Morphew, a Colorado mother who went missing more than three years ago while on a Mother’s Day bike ride.

Morphew’s remains were discovered by law enforcement on Friday in a search unrelated to her case.

Officials wouldn’t release information about where the remains were discovered or their condition. 

When did Suzanne Morphew disappear? When was she found?

Morphew, then 49, was reported missing from her home in the Salida area of Colorado on May 10, 2020. Her disappearance was reported by a neighbor, officials said. 

The mother of two went missing after leaving her home for a bike ride on Mother’s Day. Her husband, Barry Morphew, was the last person to see the woman, the sheriff’s office said. 

Chaffee County law enforcement enlisted the help of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to find the missing woman, who was later presumed dead. Other law enforcement agencies joined the search. 

Investigators organized several searches and fielded hundreds of tips after Morphew’s disappearance. They established a hotline to funnel calls and tips in the case. 

Morphew’s disappearance captured the attention of an international audience. Her case was featured by the likes of Dr. Mehmet Oz and Nancy Grace. 

Barry Morphew was charged with first-degree murder nearly one year after his wife disappeared, despite law enforcement having no luck finding the woman’s remains. Those charges were later dropped. 

Morphew's remains were found in the area of Moffat, a town of only about 100 in Saguache County, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office announced.

Who is Suzanne Morphew's alleged lover, Jeff Libler?

Text messages obtained by prosecutors paint a rocky marriage, with Morphew referring to her husband as "Jekyl and Hyde” and telling him "I'm done" shortly before she was reported missing, ABC News reported.

Morphew had been having an affair with another man, the outlet reported. The Denver Gazette identified Morphew's affair partner as Jeff Libler, a high school flame.

The Denver newspaper reported about the affair when documents containing messages between Morphew and Libler were unsealed in court in June. The two communicated through LinkedIn and on WhatsApp.

Investigators weren't aware of the affair until months after Morphew's disappearance, the outlet reported.

“Nobody loves you…like the way I do. I crave time with you. I crave the feeling I get when we connect. Physically or emotionally. You’re my guy. Always," Morphew allegedly wrote to Libler, who lives in Michigan.

Why were the charges dropped against Barry Morphew?

Barry Morphew was charged with his wife’s murder in May 2021. He was also charged with tampering with evidence and attempting to influence a public servant, the sheriff’s office announced. 

The affidavit explaining the charges was sealed, but 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley told USA TODAY at the time that she “wouldn't bring charges unless I was confident.” 

Stanley filed a motion to dismiss the charges in April 2022. A judge dismissed the case shortly before Barry Morphew’s trial was scheduled after barring prosecutors from using most of their key witnesses at trial. 

The case dismissal didn’t deter law enforcement. 

“While we are disappointed in the delay of the proceedings, we remain unwavering in our commitment to this investigation and the ultimate prosecution of Mr. Morphew,” Sheriff John Spezze said in a statement at the time. 

Barry Morphew denied having any involvement in his wife’s disappearance when speaking on Good Morning America in May. The couple’s daughters said they had no doubt their father was innocent. 

"It's very hurtful to lose your reputation and your integrity," he said. 

What's the status of the Suzanne Morphew investigation now?

No arrests were made as of Wednesday evening, the sheriff’s office said. 

Barry Morphew’s case was dismissed without prejudice last year, meaning that prosecutors could pursue charges again. 

He filed a $15 million federal lawsuit in May against prosecutors and investigators. The lawsuit alleged officials had “a political agenda of locking up Mr. Morphew in response to a media frenzy that prosecutors themselves helped create,” the Associated Press reported. 

Morphew’s daughters described the years since her disappearance as a traumatic nightmare on Good Morning America.