A man once charged in his wife’s 2020 disappearance and presumed death said he was innocent and accused Colorado authorities of having “tunnel vision” by only suspecting him.
“They’re wrong. They got tunnel vision and they looked at one person and they’ve got too much pride to say they’re wrong and look somewhere else,” Barry Morphew told ABC News in an interview that was sent on Monday.
His comments come on the heels of a $15 million lawsuit he filed this month against authorities who accused him of killing Suzanne Morphew, who has not been seen since around Mother’s Day in May 2020.
Morphew was arrested in May 2021 and charged with first-degree murder before the case was dismissed last year.
Asked if he had any role in his wife’s disappearance, Morphew, 55, said: “Absolutely not. It’s very hurtful to lose your reputation and your integrity.”
The case was dismissed without prejudice, allowing authorities to re-arrest him if they find new evidence. His wife’s body has never been found.
“I was innocent the first time they arrested me, so I’m sure it’s possible” another arrest could happen, Morphew said. “But I have nothing to worry about. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Morphew’s daughters said they support their father.
“I never had a shred of doubt” about his innocence, said Macy Morphew, 19.
Mallory Morphew, 24, added: “Not one.”
A spokesman for the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office declined comment Monday: “In accordance with the standing policy of Chaffee County and the Sheriff’s Office, we do not offer comment on pending or active legal proceedings or ongoing investigations.”
A representative for the 11th District Attorney’s Office could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
“We had a wonderful life, a wonderful marriage. She was just so loving and giving and such a good mother,” said Morphew, who admitted their union was not without its challenges.
Suzanne Morphew was diagnosed with cancer, her husband said.
“I know she was going through chemotherapy for the last few years before her disappearance and I know she went through some tough things and made some bad decisions,” he said. “She was really struggling with the chemotherapy and the drugs.”
Prosecutors have said Suzanne Morphew was ready to leave her husband, telling him in a text message shortly before her disappearance that “I’m done.”
The wife took “clear, distinct steps in” the months before she disappeared to separate and divorce Morphew, the prosecutor said.
Barry Morphew said the notoriety of the case prompted him to leave Colorado. He has struggled to find work while Suzanne Morphew’s disappearance still hangs over his head, defense attorney Iris Eytan said Monday.
“He’s trying to find work on landscaping projects, but it’s very difficult because his name has been falsely associated with being a murderer,” Eytan told NBC News.
