Patrick Barnett, 40, has been arrested for the alleged murder of his wife Lindsey Barnett, 37, an elementary school art teacher, after police discovered a 'double life' he had been leading. Lindsey was found dead in the shower at their family home in Lakewood with a large cut to her throat on Thursday, August 13.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Denver Post, Barnett told authorities that he had found her in the bathroom with self-inflicted injuries. After calling police just after 6am, first responders arrived but were unable to revive her. A five-inch knife was reportedly found near her body.
Inconsistencies in the crime scene
Police became suspicious when a large pool of blood was found on the bed, despite Barnett saying he had found Lindsey in the shower. A trail of Lindsey's blood was also found leading from the bedroom to the bathroom. When authorities suggested that Lindsey actually died in bed, Barnett maintained that the bathroom was where he found her, as reported by the Daily Mail. 'He claimed to have no knowledge of what happened,' police wrote in the affidavit.
Authorities also found that Barnett had sustained numerous injuries, including a wound on his thumb and scratches on his arms, said to be consistent with defensive injuries. When pressed, Barnett reportedly told police that the marks were from a frisbee tournament in July, but later changed his story, saying he was unsure and suggested they may have come from an ultimate frisbee tournament on August 8.
Details of the death and relationship
In addition to the large cut to Lindsey's throat, she had sustained bruises on her arms, legs, back, hips and hands. Dried blood marks were also found on Barnett's neck and behind his ears, which he could not explain. Barnett is now being held without bond on suspicion of first-degree murder, with his next court appearance scheduled for Thursday, August 20.
Barnett told police he had last seen his wife between 10pm and 10.30pm the night before, after arguing about dinner. He claimed he woke up around 5.30am after sleeping in the basement and found Lindsey in the bathroom. As he spoke about discovering her body, police said he was 'audibly sobbing' but 'there were no tears.'
Barnett told investigators they had been having 'relationship issues' over the last few months and hadn't been sleeping in the same bed. He said Lindsey had taken the main bedroom while he slept in the basement, but they were 'working on their marriage' and he was 'excited about the prospect of moving back upstairs.' Barnett also claimed that Lindsey had been suffering from postpartum depression since the birth of their daughter in February, but could not confirm whether she was taking any medication.
Family and double life
Lindsey's parents contested Barnett's claims, arguing their daughter was not depressed or suicidal. Her mother, Donna Ott, told police that Lindsey was making plans for the upcoming school year. Donna claimed that Barnett had been verbally abusive and controlling of her daughter, and backed up his claims that their five-year marriage was 'troubled.' While she believed Barnett had anger issues, she said he had never physically abused Lindsey. Donna recalled one incident earlier this year when Lindsey requested to stay at her parents' house because she needed to get away from her husband.
While investigating Lindsey's death, police were contacted by a mystery woman who said she was Barnett's girlfriend. This was after he told authorities that there had been no infidelity during their relationship by either party. The woman reportedly told police that she was worried about Barnett as she had not heard from him for a while and requested a welfare check.
It was revealed that Barnett had met the woman three months ago online, telling her that he was divorcing his wife. Barnett also allegedly told the woman that Lindsey was severely mentally ill and had been in a psychiatric unit, claiming she had attempted suicide and wasn't living in the family home. When police questioned this alleged extramarital relationship, Barnett reportedly changed his story, telling authorities that Lindsey actually knew about the affair and was OK with it, but that no one else knew.
