Lindsey Barnett was found dead in the shower of her Lakewood, Colorado home with her throat cut and a knife nearby — and her husband told 911 dispatchers she had done it to herself. Police say Patrick Theodore "Ted" Barnett, 40, is responsible for his wife's death.
Background
Patrick Theodore Barnett and Lindsey Barnett, both 37, lived together in their Lakewood home with their two young children, a toddler and an infant, according to court records. The couple had been experiencing marital difficulties that led them to sleep separately — Ted in the basement while Lindsey slept on the main level of their home.
During police interviews, Ted Barnett described their problems as "revolving around their communication, their parenting styles, and her depression and lack of intimacy," an arrest affidavit states. He told investigators they were working on their marriage and that he was excited about the prospect of moving back upstairs.
The couple had traveled to Scotland in early July in what Ted described as a trip to improve their relationship. They brought along a friend who acted as a "translator" or relationship assistant, according to the affidavit.
The Investigation
Lakewood Police Department officers responded to a 911 call from Ted Barnett on Aug. 18 at approximately 6 a.m., where he reported finding his wife dead in the shower with her throat cut, the arrest affidavit says. He told dispatchers she had "cut herself" and that her throat was slit.
When officers arrived, they found Lindsey Barnett pronounced dead at the scene. However, evidence discovered during the investigation contradicted Ted Barnett's account of a suicide.
A "large amount of blood" was found in the main bedroom where police believe the attack actually occurred, according to the affidavit. A plant had been knocked over in that room, and investigators noted a trail of blood running from the right side of the bed to the bathroom. "There was not a lot of blood in the bathroom," the affidavit states.
Lindsey Barnett's body showed multiple injuries inconsistent with self-harm. She had bruises covering her arms, legs, back, hips, and hands; a fresh injury to her left knee; a fresh scratch across her right shoulder; and a cut on her finger consistent with a defensive wound, according to the document. "Her clothes were not blood soaked and most of her body was clean of blood," investigators noted.
Police learned during their investigation that Ted Barnett had been involved in a romantic relationship with another woman he met online approximately three months prior. That woman told investigators she believed the Barnetts were separated and that Ted described his wife as struggling with mental health issues, including claims Lindsey had attempted suicide by overdosing on melatonin while camping the weekend before her death.
Lindsey Barnett's mother disputed these characterizations during her police interview. While acknowledging her daughter struggled with depression, she said Lindsey "never expressed suicidal thoughts and never had suicide attempts." The mother also told investigators that Lindsey came to her home alone approximately two to four months ago because she needed to get away from Patrick.
During a second police interview, Ted Barnett was confronted with inconsistencies in his statements. When asked about blood found on the couple's bed, he claimed it was from sitting down during his 911 call after checking Lindsey's pulse. However, investigators noted he had no explanation for why he had blood on his neck within his beard or behind his ear if he only checked her pulse.
"When told Lindsey died in the bed and did not get to the shower on her own, Ted repeated that was where he found her," the affidavit states. "He claimed to have no knowledge of what happened."
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
- Ted Barnett allegedly called 911 claiming he found his wife dead in the shower with her throat cut, saying she had done it to himself
- Police say evidence contradicts his account: a large blood trail leads from the bedroom where they believe she was killed to the bathroom
- The victim had defensive wounds and bruises covering multiple areas of her body, according to the arrest affidavit
- Investigators discovered Ted Barnett had been involved with another woman he met online three months before Lindsey's death
- Ted told police the couple were sleeping in separate rooms due to marital issues — he slept in the basement while she slept upstairs
What's Next
Ted Barnett was booked into Jefferson County Jail and is being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 21 for his first appearance on the first-degree murder charge.
The Lakewood Police Department continues its investigation into Lindsey Barnett's death. Detectives are expected to present additional evidence, including forensic analysis and witness testimony, as the case proceeds through the judicial system.