Colorado Woman Missing for 1 Year: A Timeline of Events
One year has passed since Suzanne Morphew went missing from her Chaffee County home on May 10, 2020.
A break in the case finally came last week, when the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) announced that they had arrested Suzanne's husband, Barry Morphew, on multiple charges — including first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and attempting to influence a public servant — in connection with her disappearance.
Although authorities do not believe that Suzanne is alive, they have not recovered her body. In a press conference, Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze noted that the investigation is still ongoing.
One year later, here is what we currently know about the disappearance of Suzanne Morphew:
- May 10, 2020
- a neighbor reports Suzanne as missing after she allegedly fails to return home from a bike ride
- the CCSO immediately launches a high-scale search
- May 14, 2020
- the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) begin aiding in the search
- May 15, 2020
- Authorities launch a massive search near County Road 225 and Highway 50
- an unidentified personal item, rumored to be a bicycle, of Suzanne's is found
- Barry Morphew and a family friend offer up a $200,000 reward for information leading to her safe return
- May 17, 2020
- Barry releases a video pleading for Suzanne's safe return, and implies that she has been kidnapped
- CBS4 reports that Barry was out of town when Suzanne disappeared
- authorities ask Chaffee County residents to save security camera footage from May 8 to May 12
- the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Dive Rescue Team searches nearby bodies of water
- May 20, 2020
- authorities reveal that investigators are cordoning off the Morphew residence
- May 22, 2020
- authorities begin searching a residential property in east Salida, noting that the property owner is cooperative and not connected with the search
- May 24, 2020
- authorities conclude the search of the residence, revealing that no evidence related to Suzanne was found
- May 26, 2020
- The Denver Post reports that authorities have released the Morphew residence back to the family
- June 10, 2020
- authorities conduct a community-wide canvas of Chaffee County to gather more information about the case
- July 9, 2020
- authorities return to the Morphew residence for a second search
- Aug. 11, 2020
- CCSO hands out missing person flyers to Chaffee County residents
- an unidentified family member tells FOX21 that they believe Barry is manipulating the investigation
- Aug. 20, 2020
- Barry tells FOX21 that he is devastated by Suzanne's disappearance, and blames CCSO for mishandling the investigation
- Aug. 30, 2020
- Andrew Moorman, Suzanne's brother, reveals that he is planning a massive independent search for his sister
- Sept. 2, 2020
- Jeff Puckett, Barry's co-worker, questions Barry's alibi to the DailyMail.com, stating that Barry left a hotel room smelling like chlorine on the day Suzanne disappeared
- DailyMail.com reports that Barry obtained guardianship of Suzanne to sell a property in their Indiana hometown
- Sept. 10, 2020
- Morgan Gentile, another co-worker of Barry's, confirms Puckett's statements to FOX21
- Cassidy Cordova, a third co-worker, defends Barry to FOX21, calling the rumors against him "blasphemous"
- Sept. 11, 2020
- authorities reveal that investigators will be supporting Moorman's search efforts
- Sept. 24, 2020
- Moorman's independent search for Suzanne begins
- Sept. 25, 2020
- Moorman tells FOX31 that Barry refused to let him search the Morphew residence
- CCSO says items found during the search are not related to Suzanne's disappearance
- Sept. 28, 2020
- CCSO debunks rumors that human remains had been found in the search for Suzanne
- Oct. 2, 2020
- Moorman tells Dr. Phil that he believes Barry killed his sister
- Oct. 5, 2020
- the Morphew residence is put up for sale, and listed on Zillow as "a stunning mountain home"
- Oct. 7, 2020
- Barry tells CBS4 that he believes Suzanne is still alive
- Nov. 10, 2020
- CCSO asks anyone who has interacted with Suzanne on social media to come forward with information
- Nov. 16, 2020
- the obituary of Gene Moorman, Suzanne's father, states that she is "presumed dead"
- Jan. 10, 2021
- CCSO says they are still "vigorously" investigating Suzanne's disappearance
- March 3, 2021
- the Morphew residence sells for below asking price
- May 5, 2021
- Authorities arrest and charge Barry with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and attempting to influence a public servant
- May 6, 2021
- Barry makes his first appearance in court
- FOX21's Lauren Scharf reveals that authorities are investigating Barry's Poncha Springs condominium
Now, FOX21 is encouraging the community to light a candle or leave a porch light on at 6:30 p.m. on Monday (May 10) to honor Suzanne in an effort called #shinebrightforSuzanne.
Barry is scheduled to appear in court again on May 27. If you have any information about this case, please call the designated tip line at (719) 312-7530.
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