A Lakewood, Colorado man has been formally charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife after authorities rejected his claim that she died by suicide. Patrick Theodore Barnett, 40, called emergency services around 6 a.m. on August 13, 2026, reporting that his wife, Lindsey Barnett, 37, had cut her own throat in the shower of their home.

According to the arrest affidavit, Barnett told responding officers that the couple had argued the previous evening. He said he spent the night sleeping in the basement and went upstairs the next morning intending to apologize. There, he claimed, he found Lindsey unresponsive in the shower. He told investigators that Lindsey, a school art teacher and mother of two young children, had been struggling with postpartum depression following the birth of their second child in February 2025.

Crime scene evidence quickly raised serious doubts about that account. Investigators documented extensive bruising on Lindsey’s arms and legs, some of which appeared consistent with defensive injuries. A substantial amount of blood was found on one side of the couple’s bed, including blood clots on the sheets and pillow, while the bathroom where her body was located showed comparatively little blood. Forensic analysis indicated that Lindsey most likely died on the bed and that her body had later been moved. A potted plant near the bed had been overturned, with soil tracked toward the bathroom, and a small bloodied footprint believed to belong to a woman was discovered between the bed and the bathroom. Blood evidence on Barnett’s body and clothing was also inconsistent with the sequence of events he described.

Further inquiry revealed that Barnett had been involved in an extramarital relationship with a woman he met online approximately three months earlier. That woman contacted police later on August 13 to request a wellness check after Barnett stopped responding to messages. She told investigators that Barnett had discussed divorcing his wife and had claimed Lindsey recently spent time in a psychiatric facility after attempting suicide the previous weekend. When first questioned, Barnett denied any infidelity; he later acknowledged the relationship but maintained that Lindsey was aware of it and accepted it.

Lindsey’s mother, Donna Ott, strongly disputed key parts of the narrative presented by both her son-in-law and the other woman. She told police that while her daughter had experienced depression in the past, she had shown no recent symptoms and had never attempted suicide. Ott described Lindsey as a devoted mother who loved her children deeply and was looking forward to the start of the new school year. She also stated that Barnett had been verbally abusive toward her daughter on previous occasions.

Lindsey Barnett taught art at Hutchinson Elementary and Westgate Elementary schools in the Jeffco Public Schools district. Colleagues remembered her as a pᴀssionate and dedicated educator who brought energy and care to her students. She and Patrick had been married for approximately five years.

Prosecutors charged Patrick Barnett with first-degree murder, along with two additional felony counts of tampering with a deceased body and tampering with physical evidence. He is being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail. A court appearance was scheduled for Friday following his arrest.

The investigation remains active. Authorities continue to examine the physical evidence, digital communications, and statements from those close to the couple as the case moves through the early stages of the criminal justice process.

Sources: https://nypost.com/2026/08/19/us-news/cheating-colorado-hubby-charged-with-murder-after-claiming-wife-killed-herself/