What is BAM, the drug at the center of Barry Morphew's indictment?
Share and Follow


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 and Follow
You May Also Like
Oakleaf High School flutist marches in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Oakleaf High School Flautist Joins Prestigious Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Emerson Smiley seized a unique opportunity to showcase her talent before millions…
Twist that allowed Richard Branson to spend final hours with his wife

Richard Branson’s Heartfelt Surprise: How a Last-Minute Twist Granted Precious Final Moments with His Wife

An unexpected twist of fate allowed Sir Richard Branson to spend precious…
Angel Families thank Trump in new Thanksgiving video for his border security efforts: 'We appreciate you'

Grateful Angel Families Praise Trump’s Border Security Efforts in Heartfelt Thanksgiving Message

The American Border Story (TABS) has unveiled a compelling new video showcasing…
Best Black Friday tech deals on laptops, headphones, and tablets

Unmissable Black Friday Tech Deals: Top Picks for Laptops, Headphones & Tablets

As part of its participation in various affiliate marketing programs, Localish receives…
Seemingly quiet life of DC National Guard shooting suspect is revealed

Details Emerge on the Quiet Life of DC National Guard Shooting Suspect

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of the tragic shooting of two Washington…
Shooting at an Oklahoma State University residence hall wounds at least 3 people

Anchorage Shaken by 6.0-Magnitude Earthquake: Largest Seismic Event in Alaska Since 2021

SUSITNA, Alaska (AP) — Early Thursday morning, a significant earthquake with a…
Trump halts migration and orders green card audit over Afghan shooter

Trump Implements New Migration Freeze and Green Card Audit in Response to Afghan Shooter Incident

In the wake of a tragic incident in Washington, D.C., where a…
Woman Queen Soulara Kadija Tall reunites with long-lost dad after 27 years by tracking him down on Facebook

Queen Soulara Kadija Tall Reconnects with Father After 27 Years Through Facebook Discovery

A woman has been reunited with her father after 27 years, thanks…