Lindsey Barnett taught art at two Jefferson County elementary schools before investigators found evidence they say contradicted her husband’s suicide claim.
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Lindsey Barnett was preparing for another school year teaching art to elementary students when she was found dead Aug. 13 inside her Lakewood home. Days later, her husband was charged with murder, leaving her family and two Jefferson County school communities confronting both a personal loss and an unfolding criminal case.
Barnett, 37, taught at Hutchinson and Westgate elementary schools, where administrators remembered her for her commitment to children and school art programs. Her parents said she was looking forward to the start of classes and was devoted to her two young children. Against that backdrop, police allegations that she died during a violent encounter — rather than by suicide as her husband initially reported — became the foundation of three felony charges against Patrick “Ted” Barnett, 40.
In a message to the Hutchinson community, Principal DeAnn Hoffman described Lindsey Barnett as a “sweet soul” with a deep passion for teaching art. School officials said she helped with special projects and contributed extensive work to the district art show. Her family emphasized similar qualities, remembering her love of art, nature and her children. Those accounts are also relevant to one disputed part of the police investigation: Patrick Barnett told authorities that Lindsey had significant depression, while her mother said she had never voiced suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide.
Police were called to the Barnetts’ home shortly after 6 a.m. Aug. 13. Patrick Barnett told a dispatcher that Lindsey had cut her throat and was not breathing, according to an arrest affidavit. Responding officers found her in the shower, and West Metro Fire Rescue personnel attempted emergency care. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The couple’s children, ages 1 and 3, were home at the time, according to CBS Colorado. Authorities have not alleged that either child was physically injured.
What officers saw elsewhere in the home changed the direction of the investigation. Detectives reported extensive blood on the master bed, sheets and pillows, blood elsewhere in the bedroom and a plant knocked onto the floor. A trail of blood extended from the bed toward the bathroom. Investigators said much less blood was present around the shower, even though Patrick Barnett had described that area as the place where he found his wife after she allegedly injured herself. Police wrote that the forensic evidence indicated Lindsey died on the bed and was moved afterward.
Other observations added to detectives’ concerns. The affidavit describes bruises on Lindsey Barnett’s arms, legs, back, hips and hands, along with recent injuries that investigators believed could be consistent with a struggle. Patrick Barnett also had recent-looking scratches and a hand injury, according to police. He attributed the marks to an ultimate Frisbee competition. Detectives additionally reported apparent blood on his neck and behind an ear and questioned parts of his explanation about checking his wife after finding her.
Patrick Barnett told investigators that the couple’s marriage had been strained. He said they were sleeping apart, with him in the basement and Lindsey on the main level, because of disagreements involving communication, parenting and intimacy. At the same time, he characterized the relationship as one they were working to repair. He cited a recent trip to Scotland as part of that effort and told police in his first interview that neither spouse had been unfaithful. Detectives received information later that day that contradicted that last statement.
A woman contacted police that afternoon because she was unable to reach Patrick Barnett and feared something had happened to him. She identified herself as his girlfriend and said they had met online several months earlier, according to investigators. She said Patrick had told her that he and Lindsey were separated and heading toward divorce. When detectives questioned Patrick Barnett again, he admitted the relationship but said Lindsey knew about it and was comfortable with it, the affidavit says. Police did not publicly identify the woman.
The woman also told police that Patrick Barnett had described Lindsey as mentally unstable and said she had recently attempted suicide. Lindsey’s mother sharply disputed that account. While acknowledging a history of depression, she told investigators her daughter had never expressed suicidal thoughts and had not attempted suicide. She also said Lindsey was making plans for the school year. Police did not rely on that disagreement alone; the affidavit places it alongside the blood evidence, injuries, differing statements and other findings investigators say undermined Patrick Barnett’s version of events.
Lakewood police arrested Patrick Barnett that evening. After reviewing the investigation, the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office filed three counts on Aug. 19: murder in the first degree after deliberation, tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence. The murder count is a Class 1 felony under Colorado law. The filing does not amount to a finding of guilt. Prosecutors must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, and Barnett is entitled to challenge the state’s evidence and account of what happened.
When Patrick Barnett appeared in court Aug. 21, Lindsey Barnett’s relatives and friends filled part of the courtroom. District Court Judge Andrew Poland presided over the short status hearing. Barnett appeared with attorneys Sarah Varty and Tyler Smith, who did not offer public comment afterward, according to the Denver Gazette. Lindsey’s family had issued a statement shortly before the appearance thanking law enforcement and the community for support while asking for privacy as they grieved.
The family’s public comments have largely centered Lindsey rather than the accusations. They described her as a devoted mother, daughter, sister and teacher whose warmth affected many people. In her schools, the loss arrived just as teachers and families were turning toward a new academic year. District support staff were made available to help students and employees deal with the death, according to school communications reported by local media.
The criminal process, meanwhile, remains separate from the memorials taking place around Lindsey Barnett’s life. Patrick Barnett was being held without bond after the charges were filed. His next status conference was scheduled for Sept. 14, with a preliminary hearing potentially following later. No reliable report reviewed for this article confirmed the result of that Sept. 14 proceeding. Until the case is resolved, the allegations in the affidavit and charging documents remain the prosecution’s account, not a judicial determination of guilt.
Author note: Last updated September 28, 2026.