Suzanne Morphew’s remains have been found, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced Wednesday. 

The 49-year-old’s bones were found in a remote, dry desert field of sagebrush and natural grasses south of Moffat, according to Saguache County Coroner Tom Perrin. He said it appeared that the remains had been buried in a shallow grave before being scattered. 

Perrin was called to the scene to collect the remains on Friday, and transported them to El Paso County for an autopsy.

On Wednesday, they were positively identified as Morphew’s. 

Morphew’s remains were found during an unrelated search, the investigation bureau said. Sources close to the investigation told The Denver Gazette that her body was found 30 to 40 minutes from the Morphew home, but they would not elaborate further. 

Morphew, mother of two daughters, was reported missing from her Chaffee County home on May 10, 2020.

Melinda Moorman Balzer, Morphew’s older sister, told The Denver Gazette that Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze let her know Wednesday morning that Morphew’s remains had been found.

“This is a miracle. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack,” Moorman Balzer said. “Colorado is a vast and rugged place and we have prayed that God would put light on where she is. We have been praying and here we are today. It’s day of great sadness, but a day of celebration.”

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation did not release any information on the exact location or the condition of the remains.

Moorman Balzer said Suzanne’s husband, Barry Morphew, was the first person notified that his wife’s remains had been positively identified because he was next of kin.

“While this case has garnered attention from around the world, it has touched our community and the sheriff’s office deeply,” Spezze said in a news release. “We have never stopped our investigation and will continue to follow all leads in pursuit of justice for Suzanne.”

Authorities said no arrests have been made since the remains were found.

The investigation had centered around Suzanne Morphew’s husband, Barry Morphew, who was charged with murder a year after her disappearance. But in April 2022 — after nearly two years of investigation and court hearings — district attorneys admitted that without a body, they did not have enough evidence to bring the case across the finish line.

At that time, the 11th Judicial prosecution team led by District Attorney Linda Stanley dismissed the murder case against Barry Morphew without prejudice. The term “without prejudice” means that the case can be reopened if investigators find evidence they believe will be enough to take it to trial.

The remains were found in Colorado’s 12th Judicial District, which means Stanley may not be responsible for trying the case. 12th Judicial District Attorney Anne Kelly was notified of the discovery, the investigation bureau said. Saguache County shares a border with Chaffee County to the south.

“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,” Spezze said in a news release.

After more than three years of searching for answers, Wednesday’s news brought some relief to the family.

“This is just a small little snippet,” Moorman Balzer said. “A lot more will be revealed in time. We will be patient and trust the process.”