Suzanne Morphew’s friend reacts to Colorado autopsy details: homicide, presense of wildlife tranquilizers

The post-mortem outcomes of a Colorado mother of two who went lacking almost 4 years in the past are disturbing. Suzanne Morphew’s demise was decided to be a murder of “undetermined means” and medicines sometimes used as tranquilizers for wildlife have been detected in her stays. 

“It is excellent news, but it surely’s additionally type of the place will we go from right here?” requested Suzanne’s pal Tisha Leewaye. 

The stays of Suzanne Morphew have been found in September 2023 greater than three years after she was first reported lacking. Morphew’s stays have been positioned final fall throughout a search on Sept. 22 within the space of Moffat in Saguache County throughout an investigation not associated to Morphew’s disappearance when her stays have been found.

“It does tie plenty of the investigation collectively, now,” stated Leewaye. 

Suzanne Morphew was final seen on Mom’s Day almost 4 years in the past, on Could 10, 2020 after she disappeared when she left her residence for a motorcycle experience. Her bicycle was discovered down a steep ravine off Chaffee County Street 225 from Freeway 50. Deputies stated that the bicycle didn’t appear like it was concerned in a crash and no blood was discovered on the scene.  After she went lacking, Barry Morphew informed CBS Information Colorado that he believed she was kidnapped earlier than he was subsequently arrested for her homicide in 2021.  

The post-mortem report was launched by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation on Monday. In keeping with the CBI, the businesses investigating the Morphew case have decided her demise to be “Murder by undetermined means within the setting of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine intoxication.”

These medication are used as tranquilizers for wildlife. Throughout a preliminary listening to in August 2021 on homicide prices within the demise of Suzanne Morphew, a former FBI agent revealed brokers had discovered a tranquilizer dart cap within the dryer within the household’s residence. Additionally in courtroom at a later date, the investigator clarified that it was a needle sheath for a tranquilizer dart gun. That investigator testified in courtroom that Barry Morphew shoots deer with the tranquilizer darts after which cuts off their antlers, which does not kill the deer.

“He is admitted to the truth that he had the tranquilizer in his home. One was lacking. You recognize, it is it ties loads collectively,” stated Leewaye. 

A choose dismissed the case in opposition to Barry Morphew in April 2022. On the time, the eleventh Judicial District Legal professional, Linda Stanley, filed the movement to “dismiss with out prejudice” which implies that prosecutors may file prices in opposition to Barry Morphew at a later date.  

“There have been some faults and clearly somebody’s going to finish up paying for it. And proper now Suzanne is paying for it…” stated Leewaye. 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife launched this assertion to CBS Information Colorado: CPW makes use of a wide range of tailor-made drug protocols to facilitate wildlife administration and analysis within the state. These drug combos are prescribed by company veterinarians beneath relevant federal laws to be used of veterinary prescribed drugs. Butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine (generally known as BAM) is one drug mixture that CPW has used for a wide range of wildlife species in Colorado. In 2019, CPW shifted to a unique drug protocol generally known as NalMed-A for many massive sport animals. Nonetheless, we nonetheless use BAM in addition to different combos relying on the species and venture.

Please observe, it’s not authorized for hunters to dart wildlife with medication. The use and administration of pharmaceutical brokers in animals is beneath the jurisdiction of the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) by means of the Federal Meals, Drug, and Beauty Act (CFR 21 USC 360). The acquisition, administration, dishing out and prescribing of prescription pharmaceutical brokers have to be executed inside the context of a legitimate veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

Barry Morphew launched a press release by means of his attorneys after the post-mortem outcomes have been launched that maintains his innocence. One of many attorneys did inform CBS Information Colorado that they consider authorities ought to be monitoring down the specialised veterinarians within the space the place Suzanne Morphew’s stays have been discovered as a lead into who was in a position to prescribe these medication and who could have obtained that prescription. 

Suzanne Morphew’s pal stays hopeful that the post-mortem outcomes can lead the neighborhood nearer to justice, “I imply, if it takes six extra months for them to get it proper, then it takes six extra months for an arrest to return.”

No arrests have been made since her stays have been positioned. The general public is requested to proceed to report any details about this case by calling (719) 312-7530 or emailing [email protected].