Colorado police have arrested 40-year-old Patrick Theodore Barnett on suspicion of first-degree murder following the death of his wife,Lindsey Barnett. Although Barnett claimed his wife had committed suicidde in their Lakewood home, investigators are citing conflicting physical evidence and a secret affair as grounds for the arrest.
The Blood Trail from the Bed to the Shower
The crime scene at the South Welch Circle residence presented a blood pattern that contradicted the suicide theory. Shortly after 6 a.m. on Thursday, Barnett reported finding his wife unresponsive in the shower. While he told dispatchers that she appeared to have cut her own throat, investigators found a significant amount of blood on the couple's bed.... This blood trail led toward the bathroom, yet officers observed considerably less blood in the shower area where Lindsey's body was discovered.. A five-inch knife was also found near the victim.
Unexplained Scratches and Dried Blood on Patrick Barnett
Physical evidence on the suspect's body has also become a focal point for Lakewood police. Investigators documented a cut on Barnett's thumb alongside scratches on his arm and chest that appeared consistent with defensive wounds. when questioned, Barnett offered various explanations, including an injury from an ultimate frisbee tournament, before eventually stating he did not know how the marks occurred. Police also noted dried blood on his neck and behind his ear.
A Three-Month Online Affair and the Welfare Check
The investigation took a significant turn when a woman contacted police to request a welfare check on Barnett. This individual, who had reportedly met Barnett through an online platform roughly three months prior, claimed he had described himself as being separated or in the middle of a divorce. According to the arrest affidavit, Barnett initially denied the affair but eventually told investigators that Lindsey was aware of the relationship.
Donna Ott’s Rebuttal of the Suicide Theory
Lindsey Barnett's family has provided a perspective that challenges the narrative of a suicidal death. Her mother, Donna Ott, told investigators that Lindsey was focused on her upcoming return to work as an art teacher at two elementary schools. Ott also described the nearly five-year marriage as a troubled one, alleging that Barnett was verbally abusive and controlling. Barnett had previously claimed the couple was attempting to repair their marriage, noting they had been sleeping separately with him in the basement , but Ott recalled an incident where Lindsey sought distance at her parents' home.
Why Barnett's hands were reportedly clean of blood
Investigators have raised questions regarding the physical state of Patrick Theodore Barnett during the initial police response.. while Barnett claimed he had moved Lindsey or attempted to save her, the report says his hands were notably clean of blood. He later adjusted his statement, telling officers he had only checked for a pulse. Additionally, the physical examination revealed bruising on Lindsey's arms, legs, back, hips, and hands, which remains a central point of the ongoing investigation.
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