A Colorado man accused of killing his wife and previously free on a $3 million bond was jailed Friday after prosecutors allege he violated his release terms by being involved in a hit-and-run crash in Denver.
Barry Morphew was booked into the Boulder County Jail late Thursday night on an outstanding warrant for failure to comply with bond conditions, according to custody records. A bond hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, to review his status.
Prosecutors allege Morphew was involved in a hit-and-run incident on Aug. 28, during a trip to Denver International Airport. The crash involved two other vehicles, and prosecutors stated in a court filing that Morphew’s travel to the airport for non-work purposes violated the terms of his bond. Under his bond agreement, Morphew was restricted from traveling outside southern Colorado except for work or limited circumstances.
Morphew has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge in the 2020 death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew. Her skeletal remains were discovered in 2023, and prosecutors allege traces of a wildlife tranquilizer drug cocktail were found in her bone marrow. Morphew was the only person in the area, aside from wildlife officials, with authorization to use such chemicals.
Court documents and prosecutors’ filings
Prosecutors submitted a motion stating that video evidence reviewed by CBS Colorado shows Morphew as "clearly visible and identifiable as the person who perpetrated the hit-and-run." The motion was filed in connection with the new charges related to the hit-and-run incident.
A judge recently tightened Morphew’s bond restrictions, ordering him to remain at his home at all times, with no exceptions. The hit-and-run incident occurred prior to this stricter order, according to prosecutors.
Legal and procedural context
Morphew was initially charged with first-degree murder in 2021 but those charges were later dropped. He was re-charged in 2023 following the discovery of his wife’s remains. His trial is currently scheduled for next summer.
Morphew’s attorneys have not responded to requests for comment, according to reports. The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his arrest but did not provide additional details beyond the outstanding warrant for failure to comply.
Background on the case
Suzanne Morphew disappeared in May 2020. Her remains were found in May 2023 near a dirt road in southern Colorado. Investigators found no signs of trauma on her remains but reported the presence of a drug cocktail typically used to tranquilize wildlife. Prosecutors allege Morphew had access to these chemicals due to his profession.
Morphew has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. His legal team has not publicly addressed the hit-and-run allegations or the new bond violation charges.