Teacher found dead with throat slit; detectives scrutinize husband’s shifting story
A Colorado elementary school teacher was found dead inside her home, and investigators said evidence at the home raised questions about her husband's account of what happened.
Patrick Theodore "Ted" Barnett, 40, was arrested in the death of his wife, 37-year-old Lindsey Barnett, and is being held without bond on suspicion of first-degree murder, Lakewood police said.
An arrest affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital revealed new details about the investigation and what detectives said led them to suspect Barnett in his wife's death.
Barnett called 911 shortly after 6 a.m. on Aug.
13, 2026 and said Lindsey had cut herself and her throat and was not breathing, according to the affidavit.
He sounded frantic and told dispatchers their two young children, a toddler and an infant, were inside the Lakewood home.
CALIFORNIA MOM BEGGED FOR HELP BEFORE EX GUNNED HER DOWN IN FRONT OF THEIR 4-YEAR-OLD SON: DA First responders found Lindsey in the shower with a 5- to 6-inch laceration across the front of her neck and a roughly 5-inch serrated knife beside her, investigators wrote.
ALEX MURDAUGH LAWYERS ALLEGE ‘FABRICATED’ EVIDENCE WAS USED TO SECURE MURDER INDICTMENTS The bedroom, however, immediately raised questions, authorities said.
Officers described a large amount of blood covering portions of the couple's bed, including the sheets and pillow, along with what appeared to be blood clots.
A trail of blood ran from the bed toward the bathroom, where investigators said there was comparatively little blood around Lindsey's body.
ALEX MURDAUGH MAKES 'EXPLOSIVE' BID TO BLOW UP MURDER CASE HINGING ON DNA, DIRTY MONEY AND LIES: EXPERT Beside the bed, officers also found a footprint they described as "dainty" and appearing to have come from a woman's foot, as well as a knocked-over plant with dirt scattered toward the bathroom.
Forensic processing later revealed additional blood between the bed and bathroom that was not visible to the naked eye, according to the affidavit.
Barnett told investigators he and Lindsey had been having marital problems for several months and were sleeping separately.
He said he had been staying in the basement while Lindsey slept in the main bedroom.
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