Missing mother’s remains found near Moffat- UPDATE
Suzanne Morphew went missing May 10, 2020
MOFFAT– Human remains found near here last Friday have been positively identified as Suzanne Morphew, who has been missing for more than three years, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Morphew, 49, was reported missing from her home near Salida in Chaffee County on May 10, 2020.
CBI located human remains during the course of a search on Sept. 22, 2023 while searching in the area of Moffat in Saguache County on an investigation not related to the Morphew disappearance when the remains were discovered. Specific information about the location and the state of the remains are being withheld at this time and no arrests have been made since the discovery.
Identification of the remains was confirmed today (Sept. 27) by the El Paso County Coroner. Updates will be provided as information becomes available during this ongoing investigation. Family notifications have been made following the formal identification of Suzanne Morphew.
“While this case has garnered attention from around the world, it has touched our community and the sheriff’s office deeply,” said Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze in a news release from CBI. “We have never stopped our investigation and will continue to follow all leads in pursuit of justice for Suzanne.”
The remains were located in the 12th Judicial District, and District Attorney Anne Kelly has been notified.
In an email to the Valley Courier, Kelly said that since the case is under active investigation, she is unable to comment.
“We will have an update in the weeks ahead when more information becomes available,” Kelly wrote. “The 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office expresses our condolences to Suzanne’s family.”
Suzanne Morphew’s husband Barry Morphew was charged with murder about a year after her disappearance, but charges were later dropped with district attorneys admitting they did not have enough evidence without a body. Dismissing the case “without prejudice” means the case can be reopened.
“Although locating Suzanne’s remains is a critical component of this investigation, and for her family, we are left with many more questions than answers, and it would be a disservice to conduct a news conference at this time,” said Sheriff Spezze. The public is asked to continue to report any information about this case by calling (719) 312-7530.
Front range news sources, including the Denver Gazette, are reporting that CBI was looking for the body of Edna Quintana, 55, a Saguache County woman who disappeared May 3,2023. She is still missing, and the Saguache County Sheriffs Office is searching for her. She is reportedly 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 110-120 pounds.