CO CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #53

[Ontario Mom]

Well, not exactly. LE didn’t end the extensive search parties until 8 days later. I called the CBI hotline on 6/10 about the Bike tread and they called back on the 12th with follow up questions.

I'm real curious where you came across that info.
Specifically that the CCSO ended all extensive search parties 8 days after Suzanne was reported missing.

 

[Boxer]

I think LE knew what was up with the bike 12-24 hours in and have treated it properly.

Right suspicions grew. They publicly annomced it was a criminal investigation on Wed Morning. Being ready to male that statement lushes their decision back to Tuesday.
36 hours after the missing call came in.

 

[KindaSleuthy]

I'm real curious where you came across that info.
Specifically that the CCSO ended all extensive search parties 8 days after Suzanne was reported missing.

I hope this helps: Searches - credit to Lauren Scharf who broadcast these on 7/9. 5/11 Various Chaffee County Govt. teams have 100 people searching the area along with Drones and 8 dogs. 5/12 Only dogs and drones. 5/13 CBI and FBI join the search. 5/14 Personal Item found ** 5/15 Large grid search of 2.5 mile stretch of US50 (highway closed)(80 to 100 searchers). 5/17 Lake Fooses searched by dive team. 5/21 - 5/23 Salida riverfront construction site searched. 5/26 Morphew home search completed and returned to family. 7/9 Morphew home searched for a day.

 

[Ontario Mom]

I hope this helps: Searches - credit to Lauren Scharf who broadcast these on 7/9. 5/11 Various Chaffee County Govt. teams have 100 people searching the area along with Drones and 8 dogs. 5/12 Only dogs and drones. 5/13 CBI and FBI join the search. 5/14 Personal Item found ** 5/15 Large grid search of 2.5 mile stretch of US50 (highway closed). 5/17 Lake Fooses searched by dive team. 5/21 - 5/23 Salida riverfront construction site searched. 5/26 Morphew home search completed and returned to family. 7/9 Morphew home searched for a day.

The searches didn't stop 8 days later.
If you follow the CCSO blog, they mention numerous searches from day 1.

- 06.10 CCSO UPDATE "10 large-scale searches performed throughout the county" Suzanne Morphew update June 10 - Chaffee County Sheriff

- 07.09 CCSO UPDATE "July 9, 2020, local, state, and federal investigators returned to search the Morphew property west of Salida to once again search the area for any additional information related to Ms. Morphew’s disappearance." Suzanne Morphew still missing - Chaffee County Sheriff

09.03 CCSO UPDATE "over the course of the past nearly four months over 100 personnel, including air support, water craft, underwater equipment, drones and
numerous types of K-9 have been utilized in an attempt to find Suzanne" Suzanne Morphew - Chaffee County Sheriff

09.10 CCSO UPDATE "In this investigation resources were called in to assist with numerous searches. These resources have included Chaffee SAR South and North, The Colorado Department of Corrections S.O.R.T Team, the CBI Crime Scene Investigation Team, FBI Evidence Response Team, Chaffee County Combined Tactical Team, Salida Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Salida Police Department, Buena Vista Police Department, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Dive Rescue Team, Colorado State Patrol, El Paso County SAR Dog Team, Fremont County SAR Dog Team, Reach Air Medical Service, FBI Aviation Support Team, Necro Search International, Elizabeth Police Dog Team, Colorado Department of Corrections East Canon Tracking Team and the SAR Board of Colorado, which includes numerous SAR teams from around the state. These above resources have contributed to numerous foot searches, Air Aviation searches and mapping, underwater imaging, dive team searches, several search dogs which includes air scent, tracking and HR Dogs. We have used numerous Drones for searches in several different areas. We continue to follow leads and tips as well as develop information and have not limited our search areas to one particular location. With this we are planning another law enforcement search in the near future." Suzanne Morphew missing 4 months, investigation continues - Chaffee County Sheriff

11.10 CCSO UPDATE: "Although the winter months are approaching, the task force assembled to investigate Suzanne Morphew’s disappearance continues to move forward and will conduct additional searches and other casework." Suzanne Morphew case remains a priority to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office - Chaffee County Sheriff

 

[KindaSleuthy]

The searches didn't stop 8 days later.
If you follow the CCSO blog, they mention numerous searches from day 1.

- 06.10 CCSO UPDATE "10 large-scale searches performed throughout the county" Suzanne Morphew update June 10 - Chaffee County Sheriff

- 07.09 CCSO UPDATE "July 9, 2020, local, state, and federal investigators returned to search the Morphew property west of Salida to once again search the area for any additional information related to Ms. Morphew’s disappearance." Suzanne Morphew still missing - Chaffee County Sheriff

09.03 CCSO UPDATE "over the course of the past nearly four months over 100 personnel, including air support, water craft, underwater equipment, drones and
numerous types of K-9 have been utilized in an attempt to find Suzanne" Suzanne Morphew - Chaffee County Sheriff

09.10 CCSO UPDATE "In this investigation resources were called in to assist with numerous searches. These resources have included Chaffee SAR South and North, The Colorado Department of Corrections S.O.R.T Team, the CBI Crime Scene Investigation Team, FBI Evidence Response Team, Chaffee County Combined Tactical Team, Salida Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Salida Police Department, Buena Vista Police Department, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Dive Rescue Team, Colorado State Patrol, El Paso County SAR Dog Team, Fremont County SAR Dog Team, Reach Air Medical Service, FBI Aviation Support Team, Necro Search International, Elizabeth Police Dog Team, Colorado Department of Corrections East Canon Tracking Team and the SAR Board of Colorado, which includes numerous SAR teams from around the state. These above resources have contributed to numerous foot searches, Air Aviation searches and mapping, underwater imaging, dive team searches, several search dogs which includes air scent, tracking and HR Dogs. We have used numerous Drones for searches in several different areas. We continue to follow leads and tips as well as develop information and have not limited our search areas to one particular location. With this we are planning another law enforcement search in the near future." Suzanne Morphew missing 4 months, investigation continues - Chaffee County Sheriff

11.10 CCSO UPDATE: "Although the winter months are approaching, the task force assembled to investigate Suzanne Morphew’s disappearance continues to move forward and will conduct additional searches and other casework." Suzanne Morphew case remains a priority to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office - Chaffee County Sheriff

Hi. I said “extensive searches”. The June 10 and September references were about the extensive May searches. IMO, Sometime around 5/18 LE concluded that Barry did it and the jackhammering of the slab (Riverside) demonstrated that conclusion.

 

[al66pine]

Employee Involvement?

I always enjoy your posts . You have a way of looking at things from different angles. My whole thing with Suzanne letting him in while Barry is away is this .... there is no way he would of got away with this. I’m sure Le investigated him thoroughly just like MG. I just don’t see it . I mean I’ll admit he has a hefty past...

@LietKynes sbm bbm Thank you. Yes, looking at things from a diff angle (sometimes backwards thru the microscope or telescope ).

And yes thinking past the initial questions of whether SM would have (1) known of employee's crim conviction and (2) permitted him entry into the house, agreeing w you - LE would have some focus on him by now.

But if employee is the perp, I don't necessarily think he has gotten away w this. Not yet. If he was involved in SM's disappearance, an arrest could be pending another arrest to be made. simultaneously. Just considering this, not concluding it. my2ct.

 

[DeDee]

Murder 1 case. Proof?
@Minordetails bbm sbm Good questions, but let's not ignore the initial, critical component of any homicide case: Death. How does prosecutor estab death?
With no body, no remains, no autopsy, no autopsy report, no death cert, & no medical examiner on witness stand, who can testify victim is dead & about CoD & MoD?

We don't need a body for a successful prosecution; however, it is preferred. All I know is that Suzanne is missing. Otherwise, ...

A no-body homicide prosecution seems similar to other murder prosecutions, except the prosecutor must demonstrate the likelihood that the victim no longer is alive.

In a homicide case, the corpus delicti—main body or element of the offense—consists of proof that an unlawful death has occurred.

Emotionally significant items—a cell phone, a favored blanket, a keepsake, ... , house keys, a purse or wallet—left behind often indicate an unplanned departure.

Abandoning financial assets (e.g., cash, a savings acct, credit or debit cards, or a checkbook) or personal records (e.g., driver’s license, birth certificate, ... , or a ss card) to start a new life makes no sense if the individual left deliberately and voluntarily.

The victim did not plan the departure, and, consequently, the disappearance may be the result of a criminal act or other endangerment.

No-Body Homicide Cases: A Practical Approach | FBI: Law Enforcement Bulletin

 

[jondaba]

The searches didn't stop 8 days later.
If you follow the CCSO blog, they mention numerous searches from day 1.

- 06.10 CCSO UPDATE "10 large-scale searches performed throughout the county" Suzanne Morphew update June 10 - Chaffee County Sheriff

- 07.09 CCSO UPDATE "July 9, 2020, local, state, and federal investigators returned to search the Morphew property west of Salida to once again search the area for any additional information related to Ms. Morphew’s disappearance." Suzanne Morphew still missing - Chaffee County Sheriff

09.03 CCSO UPDATE "over the course of the past nearly four months over 100 personnel, including air support, water craft, underwater equipment, drones and
numerous types of K-9 have been utilized in an attempt to find Suzanne" Suzanne Morphew - Chaffee County Sheriff

09.10 CCSO UPDATE "In this investigation resources were called in to assist with numerous searches. These resources have included Chaffee SAR South and North, The Colorado Department of Corrections S.O.R.T Team, the CBI Crime Scene Investigation Team, FBI Evidence Response Team, Chaffee County Combined Tactical Team, Salida Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Salida Police Department, Buena Vista Police Department, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Dive Rescue Team, Colorado State Patrol, El Paso County SAR Dog Team, Fremont County SAR Dog Team, Reach Air Medical Service, FBI Aviation Support Team, Necro Search International, Elizabeth Police Dog Team, Colorado Department of Corrections East Canon Tracking Team and the SAR Board of Colorado, which includes numerous SAR teams from around the state. These above resources have contributed to numerous foot searches, Air Aviation searches and mapping, underwater imaging, dive team searches, several search dogs which includes air scent, tracking and HR Dogs. We have used numerous Drones for searches in several different areas. We continue to follow leads and tips as well as develop information and have not limited our search areas to one particular location. With this we are planning another law enforcement search in the near future." Suzanne Morphew missing 4 months, investigation continues - Chaffee County Sheriff

11.10 CCSO UPDATE: "Although the winter months are approaching, the task force assembled to investigate Suzanne Morphew’s disappearance continues to move forward and will conduct additional searches and other casework." Suzanne Morphew case remains a priority to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office - Chaffee County Sheriff

Folks - We gotta face it. All these LE forces haven’t found a single trace. This is a no-body case. Poor Suzanne was chopped up and sent to the dump untraceable months ago. If the murderer doesn’t crack, no one will ever be charged. We will have to leave justice for Suzanne up to the Lord in Heaven.

 

[Sillybilly]

ADMIN NOTE:

Some posts have been removed.

Members may discuss and speculate to some degree about what is in MSM about Barry or what is known to have been said by him, but trashing him or making direct accusations against him or any other individual are not allowed.

Don't discuss other members. Suggesting or trying to out a member of Websleuths as to either their identity or as a perpetrator of a crime is not allowed and is actually subject to an automatic ban from the site.

If someone states something as fact without providing a link, other members are entitled to ask for a link and be provided one, otherwise the post will be removed.

 

[al66pine]

Victim Dead. Likely or Beyond a Reasonable Doubt?

... A no-body homicide prosecution seems similar to other murder prosecutions, except the prosecutor must demonstrate the likelihood that the victim no longer is alive.
In a homicide case, the corpus delicti—main body or element of the offense—consists of proof that an unlawful death has occurred. No-Body Homicide Cases: A Practical Approach | FBI: Law Enforcement Bulletin

@DeDee sbm Thank you very much for your post w link to FBI publication. First I agree w most of what you quoted from it and realize these are not your words, so I'm speaking gen'ly, not specifically to SM's disappearance.
As to the first bolded phrase, I wonder if the link's author understated the prosecutor's burden of proof - at least in CO Murder 1 trials* - by saying that "prosecutor must demonstrate the likelihood that the victim no longer is alive."
CO Jury Instructions state the prosecutor must prove each element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt* to find the def guilty.**
IOW, a jury finding multiple elements of a crime true Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, but on one element - death - only a likelihood, must find the def not guilty.

Just wondering if a CO judge would interpret or apply CO criminal statutes the same way as author of link. my2ct.
_________________________________
* CO. statute: "'First Degree Murder. (a) After deliberation and with the intent to cause the death of a person other than himself, he causes the death of that person or of another person;..." bbm
§ 18-3-102. Murder in the first degree. 2016 Colorado Revised Statutes :: Title 18 - :: Criminal Code :: Article 3 - :: Offenses Against the Person :: Part 1 - :: Homicide and Related Offenses :: § 18-3-102. Murder in the first degree
** "... Juries Are Also Instructed as follows in EVERY Colorado Criminal Case
"If you find from the evidence that each and every element of a crime has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, you should find the defendant guilty of that crime.
If you find from the evidence that the prosecution has failed to prove any one or more of the elements of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, you should find the defendant not guilty of that crime. "
^ https://www.denver-colorado-theft-c...-should-acquit-finding-the-accused-not-guilty <--- Website of private law firm in CO.

 

[Rachelj1]

Folks - We gotta face it. All these LE forces haven’t found a single trace. This is a no-body case. Poor Suzanne was chopped up and sent to the dump untraceable months ago. If the murderer doesn’t crack, no one will ever be charged. We will have to leave justice for Suzanne up to the Lord in Heaven.

I have to disagree with you , I think she will get justice soon.

Moo

 

[Rachelj1]

@DeDee I found this part interesting too.
Gathering the Clues

“Many criminals strive to create an illusion of distance in time and physical proximity from the victim’s last-known whereabouts. Successful disposal of the body is another way offenders detach from the crime. The longer the victim remains missing, the greater the opportunity for important clues to disappear. Memories become vague as they lose their link to precise events, and timelines turn out to be more abstract. Once enough time passes, offenders often claim they were in a different location at the point in time the murder occurred, thereby creating an airtight alibi. When this happens, investigators often shift their focus to other suspects“.

This disappearance is honestly textbook .
Moo

 

[NervousNellie]

I have to disagree with you , I think she will get justice soon.

Moo

I hope you are right.

 

[Rachelj1]

I hope you are right.

I hope so too. I think the most important thing at this point is to keep her story going.

moo

 

[Knox]

I think LE knew what was up with the bike 12-24 hours in and have treated it properly.

Maybe not. Chris McDonough, mused there may be 'chain of custody' issues with some of the evidence in this case. If COC is lacking, key pieces may be tossed out in court, thereby compromising some aspects. It's an interesting possibility.

 

[Knox]

Hi. I said “extensive searches”. The June 10 and September references were about the extensive May searches. IMO, Sometime around 5/18 LE concluded that Barry did it and the jackhammering of the slab (Riverside) demonstrated that conclusion.

Thank you for posting, you've noted some great points!!

 

[Error505]

Hi, I’ve been active elsewhere but lurking here since May 20th. This is my first post on WebSleuths.
Let’s go back to day one. The gravel in the tread of Suzanne’s bike tires could reveal whether the bike was tossed in the ditch, purely as a ruse, or if she was abducted from her bike ride. Let me elaborate:

Background: The route Suzanne typically rode on her bike was from her home, down her subdivision road to a little subdivision bridge across Little River to a spur road of CR225. There she could ride down 225
along the river to Fooses dam or up towards US50 (or both). The bike was found on CR225, not far from US50. Locals say she would not have ridden the shoulder of US50 to get to CR225 because it too dangerous.

The spur and CR225 have a commercial type of gravel, as governments tend to buy. Her driveway and her subdivision streets are a darker, more “upscale” type of gravel.
Therefore, The PREVIOUS TIME she rode the bike HOME, the tire tread would have picked up that type of gravel before she put it in the garage. IF that darker gravel was in the tires when it was found it is likely the killer DROVE the bike to CR225 and tossed the bike in the ditch as a ruse.

If Suzanne RODE her bike to CR225 where the bike was found ... the tread would have a lot of commercial grade gravel.

So, analysis of the bike tires could show murder or abduction. The bike languishes in the CCSO Evidence Room.

BBM
Welcome to Websleuths. I have question, if you don’t mind.
I don’t think the public has access to any information regarding evidence, be it the bike or personal item found, much less what tests have been done on any of the evidence.
Would you mind posting a link to an approved source where we can read further about the “bike evidence” *languishing* in the CCSO evidence room?
If it’s just your opinion, would you please state as such. Otherwise, readers could easily read this and assume the statement is “fact”. My understanding since following this from the first week, CCSO has never acknowledged the bike was even recovered. TIA
MOO

 

[KindaSleuthy]

BBM
Welcome to Websleuths. I have question, if you don’t mind.
I don’t think the public has access to any information regarding evidence, be it the bike or personal item found, much less what tests have been done on any of the evidence.
Would you mind posting a link to an approved source where we can read further about the “bike evidence” *languishing* in the CCSO evidence room?
If it’s just your opinion, would you please state as such. Otherwise, readers could easily read this and assume the statement is “fact”. My understanding since following this from the first week, CCSO has never acknowledged the bike was even recovered. TIA
MOO

Barry’s nephew was the first to report (in a Denver reporter’s interview) that they found her bike.
In separate interviews - Barry’s buddy said he was on 225 that night when they found it. He (and Barry) were vocal about LE “screwing up” the scene and that LE “manhandled” the bike ruining any fingerprint or DNA evidence. You are right, I have not seen the bike stored in the CCSO evidence room but that would be the standard process. I’ll modify it accordingly. Thank you.
OOPS, just found out I can’t edit it, so I stand corrected here.

 

[Rachelj1]

BBM
Welcome to Websleuths. I have question, if you don’t mind.
I don’t think the public has access to any information regarding evidence, be it the bike or personal item found, much less what tests have been done on any of the evidence.
Would you mind posting a link to an approved source where we can read further about the “bike evidence” *languishing* in the CCSO evidence room?
If it’s just your opinion, would you please state as such. Otherwise, readers could easily read this and assume the statement is “fact”. My understanding since following this from the first week, CCSO has never acknowledged the bike was even recovered. TIA
MOO

I have been searching for that "Fact" as well! I'm glad you asked!

 

[Rachelj1]

I remember Barry's nephew on Nancy Grace begging listeners to ask about the bike...I've always wondered what that was about??
I wanted to add something, I'm not sure if this is even an issue, BUT if it is.... The fact that they released the house back to Barry after they searched it twice means nothing. It does not mean they think a crime was NOT committed there.

Ex: Murderer of Savannah Spurlock, David Sparks, home was rented out after he moved out. They had blood evidence and David was the #1 suspect.