Patrick Theodore Barnett dialed 911 in what authorities described as a frantic call, telling dispatchers he discovered his wife dead in the shower with her throat slashed and a knife nearby — insisting she had taken her own life. Police responding to the Lakewood, Colorado home on August 18th found evidence that contradicted every word of his story.
Background
Lindsey Barnett, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene by officers with the Lakewood Police Department. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, investigators discovered a "large amount of blood" in the couple's main bedroom — not in the bathroom where Ted claimed to have found her body.
The affidavit describes a trail of blood running from the right side of the bed to the bathroom. A plant had been knocked over in the bedroom, and when officers examined Lindsey's body, they documented extensive injuries that told a story of violence: bruises covering her arms, legs, back, hips, and hands; a fresh injury to her left knee; a new scratch across her right shoulder; and a defensive wound cut on her finger. "Her clothes were not blood soaked and most of her body was clean of blood," the affidavit states.
During police interviews, Ted Barnett, 40, acknowledged the couple had been experiencing marital difficulties. He told investigators they were sleeping in separate areas of their home — he in the basement while Lindsey slept on the main level. "He described that they were working on their marriage and he was excited about the prospect of moving back upstairs," the affidavit notes.
The couple had traveled to Scotland together in early July with a friend who acted as what Ted described as a "translator" or relationship assistant. When asked about infidelity, Ted denied any involvement with other women.
The Investigation
What police uncovered during their investigation would ultimately contradict that denial. Investigators learned Ted had been involved in a romantic relationship with another woman he had met online approximately three months prior to Lindsey's death. That woman contacted law enforcement after becoming concerned she could not reach him.
"She said Patrick was her boyfriend and she was worried he hurt himself because she hadn't heard from him since 11 p.m. the night before," the affidavit states. The woman told investigators she believed Ted and Lindsey were separated, and that he had described his wife as struggling with mental health issues — claiming Lindsey was in a psychiatric unit previously and had attempted suicide by overdosing on melatonin.
However, when police interviewed Lindsey Barnett's mother, she provided a starkly different picture of her daughter's mental state. While acknowledging Lindsey struggled with depression, the mother said "never expressed suicidal thoughts and never had suicide attempts." She added that Lindsey loved her children and was making plans for the upcoming school year.
The mother also told investigators that Lindsey visited their residence alone approximately two to four months ago because she needed to get away from Patrick. On one occasion, she heard the couple arguing: "Ted Barnett was yelling but Lindsey was being very calm."
When confronted with inconsistencies in his statements during a second police interview, Ted admitted to the relationship with the other woman and claimed Lindsey knew about it and "was fine with it." Investigators asked him about scratches on his body and an injury to his hand — injuries he attributed to playing ultimate Frisbee.
Police also questioned Ted about blood found on the couple's bed. He claimed it was from sitting down during his 911 call after checking Lindsey's pulse. But when pressed further, "He had no explanation to why he had blood on his neck within his beard or why he would have blood behind his ear if he only checked her pulse."
When told that forensic evidence showed Lindsey died in the bed and did not move herself to the shower, Ted maintained that was where he found her. According to the affidavit: "Patrick constantly made inconsistent statements throughout the investigation and no articulation to how Lindsey's body was moved to the shower from the bed by herself, when forensic evidence shows otherwise."
Key Takeaways
- Patrick Theodore Barnett, 40, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife Lindsey Barnett, 37, at their Lakewood, Colorado home
- Police discovered a "large amount of blood" in the bedroom contradicting Ted's claim that he found Lindsey dead in the shower
- The victim had bruises covering multiple body parts and defensive wounds, indicating she did not die by suicide as Ted claimed
- Investigators learned Ted was involved with another woman he met online three months prior to the incident
- Ted allegedly told this woman his wife struggled with mental health issues and that they were divorcing — claims Lindsey's mother denied
- Police say Ted could not explain blood found on his own body, including behind his ear
What's Next
Ted Barnett was booked into the Jefferson County Jail following what police described as "a comprehensive initial investigation." He is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on August 21st for preliminary proceedings. The Lakewood Police Department continues its investigation while prosecutors prepare their case for potential grand jury indictment.