Suzanne Morphew’s autopsy finds animal tranquilizer, other drugs in system

Maddie Rhodes
·1 min read
33

DENVER (KDVR) — After Suzanne Morphew’s remains were found in 2023, an autopsy determined Morphew died by homicide with several drugs in her system.

Morphew never returned home after she went on a bike ride in Chaffee County in 2020. Five days later, a personal item of Morphew’s was found, but it took three more years for her remains to be found in Saguache County in September.

Autopsy: Suzanne Morphew died by homicide

Seven months after her remains were found, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation released Morphew’s autopsy on Monday.

Drugs found in Suzanne Morphew’s system

Morphew died by “undetermined means in the setting of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine intoxication.”

According to the autopsy, “These drugs are marketed as a compounded injectable chemical immobilizer for wildlife providing pharmacologically reversible analgesia, sedation and immobilization.”

Catch up with the case

Here’s a breakdown of each drug:

  • Butorphanol

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, butorphanol can be used as a nasal spray that is used to relieve severe pain that can require opioid treatment. It also comes in an injection that is used before surgery, when giving birth or with general anesthesia.

  • Azaperone

    • Azaperone is a tranquilizer that is commonly used in veterinary medicine, according to Science Direct. The drug is labeled for swine but can be used for relocating deer.

  • Medetomidine

The autopsy also noted that at the time of Morphew’s death, she was receiving maintenance rituxan chemotherapy after the complete remission of recurrent follicular lymphoma.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.