Colorado Mother's Remains Unclaimed in Morgue for Two Years
The family of Suzanne Morphew, a Colorado mother murdered after vanishing on Mother's Day 2020, left her body in a morgue for two full years despite being informed they could collect her remains, according to recently revealed court documents. The El Paso County Coroner's Office retained the body from April 2024 backward because the family failed to claim it, even though authorities had notified them it was available.
Discovery and Initial Release of Remains
Suzanne Morphew disappeared from her $1.5 million home in Maysville, Colorado, on May 10, 2020. Her remains were discovered in a field in September 2023, more than three years later. In April 2024, the Alamosa County District Attorney's Office stated that her remains were made available for release to her family, emphasizing that at that time, no one was charged with her murder and family members did not take possession.
Legal Battle Over Body Custody
Suzanne's daughters, Mallory and Macy Morphew, are now embroiled in a legal dispute with the state for custody of their mother's body. Prosecutors took the body back into custody the day before Suzanne was scheduled to be cremated in late January. Her husband, Barry Morphew, who is accused of killing her, had signed off on releasing the body to Swan-Law Funeral Home in Colorado Springs.
Law enforcement was notified of the release on February 17, with courts issuing a search warrant on February 18 and the body being handed back over on February 19. Cremation was set for February 20, according to filings uncovered by the Denver Gazette.
Prosecutors Reject Family's Request
Prosecutors recently denied a request from Suzanne's daughters to return the body to them. District Attorney Anne Kelly argued that because the body was lawfully obtained through a search warrant, the family had no authority to request it before Barry's trial. Bert Nieslanik, representing the daughters, called the removal from the funeral home 'cruel and shocking' and has asked a judge to intervene, citing religious freedom rights.
Barry Morphew's Legal Situation
Barry Morphew, 57, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges earlier this year. He was first arrested in 2021, but the case was dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct. After Suzanne's remains were found in 2023 in an area known locally as 'The Boneyard', he was arrested again in 2024. He is currently under strict house arrest after posting $300,000 of his $3 million bond with supporter help in September.
Despite the charges, his daughters have stood by him, stating they do not believe he is a killer. Barry's attorneys have taken no stance on the body custody matter. Statutes in the Victim Rights Act suggest Barry should not have decision-making rights over his late wife's body due to his arrest.
Uncertainty and Family Concerns
It remains unclear whether Suzanne's own family, including her sister Melinda Moorman who expressed fears for Suzanne's safety in 2021, have had any say over her body's disposition. Swan-Law Funeral Directors expressed sympathy, stating, 'Not being able to memorialize a loved one in a timely manner is truly heartbreaking', while affirming compliance with the law.
Chief Judge Amanda Hopkins of Colorado’s 12th Judicial District has scheduled the trial for October 13, expected to last up to six weeks, as this complex case continues to unfold with emotional and legal ramifications for all involved.
