A Colorado man, Patrick Barnett, has been accused of murdering his wife, Lindsey Barnett, despite his claims that she took her own life. The incident took place at their Lakewood home, where 37-year-old Lindsey was found with her throat slit in the shower stall on August 13, as per an arrest affidavit by Detective Victoria Wagner.
Patrick Barnett, 40, called emergency services at 6:01 a.m., claiming his wife had harmed herself. However, authorities quickly doubted his explanation. Investigators discovered significant bloodstains on the right side of their bed and a trail leading to the bathroom, but little blood was found in the bathroom itself.
Patrick Barnett also displayed fresh injuries, including a cut on his thumb and fingernail scratches on his body, which police deemed as possible defensive wounds. In initial interviews, Barnett admitted to struggles in their marriage and mentioned Lindsey’s postpartum depression. However, Donna Ott, Lindsey’s mother, stated that her daughter had never expressed suicidal intentions and was planning for the upcoming school year. Lindsey, a teacher, was a mother to two young children who were unharmed.
Despite Patrick’s claims that their marriage was reparable and free of infidelity, a call from a woman identifying herself as his girlfriend raised further suspicions. She reported not being able to contact him for hours, which was unusual. When confronted by the police, Barnett acknowledged having a relationship outside of marriage. He insisted that his wife was aware and accepted this relationship. He met this other woman online, and they connected over shared interests in ultimate frisbee.
Patrick Barnett faces charges of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased body, and tampering with physical evidence, according to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Barnett, who now has a public defender, is expected to appear in court in Jefferson County on Friday.