What is BAM, the drug at the center of Barry Morphew's indictment?
Share this @internewscast.com


DENVER (KDVR) New details are emerging from the new murder indictment for Barry Morphew as the state now has less than 30 days to extradite him to Colorado.

For five years, Tisha Leeway has closely followed Suzanne Morphew’s disappearance.

“I know Suzanne from a salon that I worked at several years ago,” Leeway said. “They used to all come in and tan.” 

On Friday, calls and texts started flooding her phone with the news of a new indictment in the case. Leeway went straight to the news conference after. 

“After hearing the district attorney and her thoughts and her hard work, I felt pretty confident,” Leeway said. “I feel like he’s going to be convicted this time.”

Leeway finds confidence in the words from the District Attorney and the details in this new indictment.

“Just page six alone, if you read that, I mean, that’s pretty damaging evidence,” Leeway said. 

On page six of the indictment, a specific tranquilizer, BAM, comes up.

“BAM is an acronym for three sedative anesthetics: butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine,” Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald said. “We don’t use it in general practice, in small animal practice.”

Fitzgerald, a local veterinarian of 42 years, spoke about the three chemicals that make up BAM.

“I’ve used it on wildlife, like for the Denver Zoo in Mongolia, when you are trying to immobilize wildlife, to put a radio collar on or to pull blood or to do some testing for different diseases,” Fitzgerald said. 

According to the indictment, “The coroner’s office determined cause of death and manner of death as follows: ‘Homicide by unspecified means in the setting of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine intoxication.’”

“It’s an anesthetic,” Fitzgerald said. “And so anesthetics are always risky because you’re slowing down heart rate and respiration.”

The indictment ends with the statement, “Ultimately, the prescription records show that when Suzanne Morphew disappeared, only one private citizen living in that entire area of the state had access to BAM: Barry Morphew.”

Records that give Leeway hope looking forward. 

“You have to go through a lot of steps to get to that conclusion,” Leeway said. “So, I don’t think that they took this lightly, and I don’t think they’re taking it lightly.”

After the charges were announced, Barry Morphew’s attorneys made a statement to FOX31.

“Yet again, the government allows their predetermined conclusion to lead their search for evidence. Barry maintains his innocence. The case has not changed and the outcome will not either,” David Beller said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Union Bears Conclude Season with Challenging Defeat to Glenvar

BIG STONE GAP, Va. (WJHL) — The Union High School Bears faced…

Trump Greenlights Nvidia’s Cutting-Edge AI Chip Sales to China: A Boost for Tech and Trade

WASHINGTON – On Monday, President Donald Trump announced his decision to permit…

Beloved Shelter Dog Finds Forever Home Just in Time for Christmas After Two-Year Wait

In a heartwarming turn of events, the Washington County/Johnson City Animal Shelter…

UN Reduces 2026 Aid Appeal to $33B Amid Decade-Low Funding Levels

GENEVA – In a stark reflection of dwindling support, the U.N.’s humanitarian…

Heartfelt Tributes Pour in for Beloved Tusculum Lacrosse Player Tragically Lost in Recent Crash

Tusculum University has announced plans to hold a memorial service for Payton…

Johnson City’s Salvation Army Spreads Holiday Cheer with Angel Tree Gift Distribution

The Salvation Army in Johnson City, Tennessee, recently organized its Angel Tree…

South Holston Dam Access Temporarily Closed for Essential Upgrades by TVA

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has announced that starting Wednesday, the upper…

Judge Mandates Release of Immigrant Linked to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

CONCORD, N.H. – In a noteworthy decision from an immigration judge, a…

California Enthusiast Celebrates Milestone 15,000th Ride on Disneyland’s ‘Cars’ Attraction

SANTA ANA, Calif. – For a Disneyland aficionado celebrating his 15,000th journey…

Golden Globes Launches Podcast: Navigating the Airwaves with Caution and Class

NEW YORK – In a groundbreaking move, the Golden Globes have added…

Zelenskyy Travels to London for Crucial Peace and Security Discussions with European Leaders

LONDON – In a bid to bolster Ukraine’s position in ongoing diplomatic…

Tragic Drone Strikes in Sudan: WHO Reports 114 Fatalities, Including 63 Children

CAIRO – The World Health Organization’s chief announced on Monday that the…