Reward increased to $200,000 in search for 49-year-old cyclist

The reward for the safe return of a 49-year-old bicyclist who has been missing since Sunday in Chaffee County has been increased to $200,000.

“Police and family are seeking any information that leads to her safe return, no questions asked, and offer a $200,000 reward,” according to a missing persons bulletin.

Missing woman Suzanne Morphew’s nephew, Trevor Noel, left a message with The Denver Post that said he would resume searching for her at 7 a.m. Thursday.

A family friend matched the $100,000 reward offered by Morphew’s husband, bringing the total to $200,000, Noel’s message said. He did not identify the family friend.

Morphew left home near County Road 225 and West Highway 50 and has not returned. At about 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Chaffee County’s communications center received a report of the missing Maysville woman, according to a sheriff’s office news release. The call was made by a neighbor of Morphew.

Sheriff’s staffers and Chaffee County search and rescue members looked for Morphew and a widespread search of the area continued Monday morning. Tracking dogs and teams from the Colorado Department of Corrections, along with a Mesa County tactical team, also took part in the search.

In all, about 100 people joined the search effort, but, as of Thursday, Morphew had not been found.

The search for Morphew and the investigation into her disappearance is ongoing. Anyone with information into her whereabouts is asked to call the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 719-312-7530.