Barry Morphew 'hunted and controlled' wife Suzanne like an animal, investigators say

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Barry Morphew, the Colorado man suspected in the disappearance and presumed death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, chose to "hunt and control" her like an animal after she insisted on leaving him, according to a new court document released Monday.

Authorities have said Suzanne Morphew was having an affair with a high school friend and had intentions to divorce her husband.

BARRY MORPHEW RELEASED FROM COLORADO JAIL WITH 2 DAUGHTERS BY HIS SIDE

In the 131-page arrest affidavit released Monday, investigators said that after Morphew realized he could not control Suzanne Morphew's insistence on leaving him "he resorted to something he has done his entire life — hunt and control Suzanne like he had hunted and controlled animals."

Barry Morphew previously said investigators were trying to blame him for the May 10 disappearance of his wife, Suzanne. He was charged with first-degree murder. (Courtesy of Suzanne Morphew's Family) (Courtesy of Suzanne Morphew's Family)

Morphew, 53, refused to take a polygraph test in the days after his wife was reported missing on May 10, 2020, which was Mother's Day, the affidavit said.

Investigators also alleged that Morphew changed his statements as evidence in the case developed.

Morphew, an avid hunter and outdoorsman, did not initially tell investigators that he went out of his way as he left for work that morning, driving toward the place where his wife's bicycle helmet was eventually found. Later, he said he went that way because he had seen an elk cross the road, the affidavit said.

Suzanne Morphew's body has not been found.

Barry Morphew's May 5, 2021, booking photo (Chaffee County Sheriff)  (Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office)

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A judge had allowed the release of the arrest affidavit laying out the investigators' case against Morphew after ruling last week that there was enough evidence for him to stand trial for murder in the presumed death of Suzanne Morphew. 

In this still image from video, Barry Morphew, center, appears in court in Salida, Colo., on May 6. (KUSA via AP, Pool) (KUSA via AP, Pool)

Morphew has pleaded not guilty and was released from the Chaffe County jail in Colorado Monday after posting a $500,000 cash bond. 

Television footage showed him walking out of jail with his two daughters. Neither he nor his daughters answered questions from reporters. 

Morphew also is charged with tampering with a human body, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a dangerous weapon, and attempting to influence a public servant.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.