Colorado Woman Found Dead After Disappearing During Bike Ride: Autopsy Reveals Homicide With Animal Sedatives

An autopsy performed on the remains of a woman from Colorado who disappeared while cycling in 2020 and was found dead three years later revealed that she died as a result of homicide, with traces of drugs commonly used to immobilize animals discovered in her system. Suzanne Morphew vanished during a bike ride near Maysville, Colorado on Mother’s Day 2020, and while Barry Lee Morphew – her husband – was initially charged over the killing, prosecutors dropped these charges in April last year as they had hoped to locate his wife’s body before trial. Remains believed to be those of Suzanne were discovered approximately fifty miles south from where she went missing around nine months later. No one has been charged with any offence at this time.
The autopsy carried out on Morphew’s remains determined that her death was the result of homicide in circumstances involving butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine intoxication – a combination often used to sedate wildlife for veterinary purposes. A spokesperson from Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Chris Schaefer said investigators were continuing their efforts to secure justice on behalf of Suzanne Morphew by following the evidence alone, while Anne E Kelly, District Attorney Twelfth Judicial District, stated that her office was still working towards achieving this goal.
Morphew’s husband had been charged with murder in 2021 and pleaded not guilty to charges including tampering with physical evidence and attempting to influence a public servant; however, these charges were dismissed last April because of prosecutors’ belief that Morphew would be found before the trial commenced. A judge ruled at this time that authorities could still bring forward fresh accusations against Barry Lee Morphew in relation to his wife’s death if they so wished.
Barry Lee Morphew and Suzanne had two daughters together, and lawyers representing him stated following release of findings from the autopsy that their client was left with more questions than answers regarding what happened, alongside a sense that justice hadn’t been served for both his wife and her family as well as the wider community. The attorneys claimed authorities failed to share information about DNA found in Suzanne’s car or whether any testing had taken place on Morphew’s clothing during their investigation.
The CBI declined to comment when contacted by CNN, while Anne E Kelly’s office did not respond immediately regarding these allegations either. Barry Lee Morphew and his lawyers have requested privacy as the authorities continue with investigative efforts into Suzanne’s murder.