DENVER (KDVR) — Barry Morphew has been indicted by a grand jury for First Degree Murder of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, whose remains were found in Saguache County in September 2023. He was taken into custody in Arizona on Friday, his bond set for $3 million, and the 12th Judicial District is working to have him extradited to Colorado. 

Barry had previously been charged after his wife’s disappearance in 2020, but those charges were dismissed before her body was discovered. 

“Federal, State and local law enforcement have never stopped working toward justice for Suzanne.” District Attorney Anne Kelly said in a release. “The Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office stands in solidarity with Suzanne’s family and the citizens of Chaffee and Saguache Counties in pursuing the Grand Jury’s indictment.”  

FOX31 obtained the arrest affidavit on Friday, in it prosecutors stated, "Ultimately, the prescription records show that when Suzanne Morphew disappeared, only one private citizen living in that entire area of the state had access to BAM: Barry Morphew."

BAM is the combination of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine, which according to the affidavit, "The coroner's office determined cause of death and manner of death as follows: 'Homicide by unspecified means in the setting of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine intoxication.'"

After the charges were announced, Barry Morphew's attorneys made a statement to FOX31.

“Yet again, the government allows their predetermined conclusion to lead their search for evidence. Barry maintains his innocence. The case has not changed and the outcome will not either,” David Beller and Recht Kornfeld said.

Timeline of Suzanne Morphew's disappearance and investigation: 

May 10, 2020: The Chaffee County Communications Center received a report of a missing woman, 49-year-old Suzanne Morphew, who lived in the Maysville area. A neighbor had reported to deputies that Morphew had allegedly gone for a bike ride and didn’t return home. A search began immediately after sheriff personnel called members of Chaffee County Search and Rescue South and North. After a request, the department of corrections had tracking dogs join the search.  

May 11, 2020 to March 4, 2021: The search continued the next year for Suzanne Morphew. During that time, the family and friends of Suzanne Morphew offered a $200,000 reward, nearby areas held searches which were spearheaded by Morphew's older brother and the home of Suzanne Morphew was sold.  

May 5, 2021: Barry Morphew, Suzanne Morphew’s husband, was arrested and formally charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and attempting to influence the public following the disappearance. 

Sept. 20, 2021: Morphew was released from jail on bond and was awaiting trial. He had to wear an ankle monitor and was reportedly required to stay in Chaffee County.  

April 19, 2022: The district attorney for the 11th Judicial District dismissed the murder charge against Morphew without prejudice, the basis was that the search had stopped from inclement weather and there was no evidence at that time that Suzanne Morphew was dead, since there was no body that had been found since her disappearance.  

April 19, 2022 to March 29, 2023: After the charges against Mr. Morphew were dropped: 

• Attorneys for Morphew said they were planning to file a complaint against the district attorney’s office for mishandling the case 
• Morphew pleads guilty to forgery charge related to mailing an election ballot for Suzanne Morphew 
• Morphew’s attorney files complaints against 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley and six other prosecutors involved in the first-degree murder case  

September  27, 2023: During an unrelated search of the area in Saguache County, the remains of Suzanne Morphew were located by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents. The location was about 40 miles south of Barry and Suzanne Morphew’s home.  

April of 2024: After 7 months, an autopsy had been completed and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Morphew’s death has been ruled a homicide. The autopsy found Morphew died by “undetermined means in the setting of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine intoxication.” It was reported by AP News,  that a tranquilizer gun and accessories were found in the couple’s home, according to investigators.