Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
“The past year since Suzanne’s disappearance has been trying. But as my sister Melinda said, Sherriff John Spezze is a man of his word and along with the tireless efforts of all the other enforcement agencies involved, they have cleared a key hurtle in unwinding the mystery of this tragedy. I want to thank all involved along with the citizens of Chaffee County for their work, support and caring demonstrated during the last year.
While my silence has been interpreted as not caring, within hours of being told of Suzanne’s disappearance nothing seemed to add up. My suspicion of foul play quickly grew, especially knowing my brother in law’s personality. I committed myself to letting the authorities do their job, staying out of the way, and waiting for a result I knew would take time, patience, and a lot of hard work. In a time when law enforcement in under attack, we, the Moorman Family, feel blessed to have a such a dedicated and professional group working on Suzanne’s case. While the arrest is good news it is only one of many steps that will be required to bring Suzanne justice and our family and her many friends’ peace and closure.
Suzanne is never far from our minds, as her gentle nature, smile, and unforgettable belly laugh are very much missed. As my sister Melinda said she was our “rose among thorns”. In the coming months we will be forced to come to grips with the details of a murder that is still unimaginable. I am constantly hounded by the question, “how did we get here?” How does a man take the life of his wife and the mother of his daughters? How do character flaws turn you into a murderer? Is it nature or nurture? Nothing I say here will change minds and I will leave it to the experts of FBI to outline at the trial the cunning personality traits of Barry Morphew. As we look toward the prosecution and a trial, we can only hope for full confession and learn the whereabouts of Suzanne. I doubt that will happen and we all will be left with hearing horrific details that were perpetrated by pure evil.
As my father, Gene, lay dying of cancer, there were many moments he was brought to tears thinking about his granddaughters, Mallory, and Macy. In one of our final conversations on the matter, I pledged to him that three of us, Melinda, Andrew, and myself would help them bridge this horrific event and do whatever we could to help them develop into the women Suzanne envisioned. Despite what they have been told, we love them and want to let them know we are here for them as we all move forward.
I want to thank all who knew and loved Suzanne and all those who have followed this tragedy for their support. I also want to wish God Speed to Linda Stanley and the prosecuting team as they prepare for the trial.
I would ask one final thing. If you are so moved, please make a generous contribution to your local shelter or program for domestic abuse because no one, regardless of status or money is immune.”
Brother of Suzanne Moorman Morphew
David S. Moorman
“The past year since Suzanne’s disappearance has been trying. But as my sister Melinda said, Sherriff John Spezze is a man of his word and along with the tireless efforts of all the other enforcement agencies involved, they have cleared a key hurtle in unwinding the mystery of this tragedy. I want to thank all involved along with the citizens of Chaffee County for their work, support and caring demonstrated during the last year.
While my silence has been interpreted as not caring, within hours of being told of Suzanne’s disappearance nothing seemed to add up. My suspicion of foul play quickly grew, especially knowing my brother in law’s personality. I committed myself to letting the authorities do their job, staying out of the way, and waiting for a result I knew would take time, patience, and a lot of hard work. In a time when law enforcement in under attack, we, the Moorman Family, feel blessed to have a such a dedicated and professional group working on Suzanne’s case. While the arrest is good news it is only one of many steps that will be required to bring Suzanne justice and our family and her many friends’ peace and closure.
Suzanne is never far from our minds, as her gentle nature, smile, and unforgettable belly laugh are very much missed. As my sister Melinda said she was our “rose among thorns”. In the coming months we will be forced to come to grips with the details of a murder that is still unimaginable. I am constantly hounded by the question, “how did we get here?” How does a man take the life of his wife and the mother of his daughters? How do character flaws turn you into a murderer? Is it nature or nurture? Nothing I say here will change minds and I will leave it to the experts of FBI to outline at the trial the cunning personality traits of Barry Morphew. As we look toward the prosecution and a trial, we can only hope for full confession and learn the whereabouts of Suzanne. I doubt that will happen and we all will be left with hearing horrific details that were perpetrated by pure evil.
As my father, Gene, lay dying of cancer, there were many moments he was brought to tears thinking about his granddaughters, Mallory, and Macy. In one of our final conversations on the matter, I pledged to him that three of us, Melinda, Andrew, and myself would help them bridge this horrific event and do whatever we could to help them develop into the women Suzanne envisioned. Despite what they have been told, we love them and want to let them know we are here for them as we all move forward.
I want to thank all who knew and loved Suzanne and all those who have followed this tragedy for their support. I also want to wish God Speed to Linda Stanley and the prosecuting team as they prepare for the trial.
I would ask one final thing. If you are so moved, please make a generous contribution to your local shelter or program for domestic abuse because no one, regardless of status or money is immune.”
Brother of Suzanne Moorman Morphew
David S. Moorman
