HOLMESVILLE TOWNSHIP, MN - Authorities have confirmed that a father and his toddler son, who were found fatally shot, were victims of murder-suicide.
The father, 45-year-old Gene Bartnes, and his three-year-old son Koltyn, were found dead of gunshot wounds on Monday afternoon after Bartnes' brother went to the home to check on them, according to Law & Crime. The brother became concerned when the father did not show up for work that morning, and when he entered the home, he found Bartnes dead.
Deputies with the Becker County Sheriff's Office later found Koltyn's body. On Tuesday, March 31, police confirmed that Bartnes killed his son before turning the gun on himself. The toddler's mother and surviving siblings revealed more details about the killing, including three suicide notes Bartnes left behind.
In an interview with KVLY, Kristi Frazier, the toddler's mother, said that police told her about how her former partner and son died. She said that her toddler son was shot in the back while he was asleep, "then his dad crawled into bed next to him and shot himself in the chest."
Frazier said Bartnes had possibly suffered from mental health issues. Her landlord told her that when he saw Bartnes prior to his death, he "seemed off." Bartnes also reportedly left three suicide notes — one for her, one for law enforcement, and one offering an apology for his actions.
Frazier said she had not been able to read any of the notes after police confiscated them as part of their investigation into the deaths. A GoFundMe page started to support Frazier states that the mother was a day care provider for her community. The funeral for the father and son is currently on hold.
Donations will go toward funeral expenses and supporting the family as they navigate the devastating loss.
The father, 45-year-old Gene Bartnes, and his three-year-old son Koltyn, were found dead of gunshot wounds on Monday afternoon after Bartnes' brother went to the home to check on them, according to Law & Crime. The brother became concerned when the father did not show up for work that morning, and when he entered the home, he found Bartnes dead.
Deputies with the Becker County Sheriff's Office later found Koltyn's body. On Tuesday, March 31, police confirmed that Bartnes killed his son before turning the gun on himself. The toddler's mother and surviving siblings revealed more details about the killing, including three suicide notes Bartnes left behind.
In an interview with KVLY, Kristi Frazier, the toddler's mother, said that police told her about how her former partner and son died. She said that her toddler son was shot in the back while he was asleep, "then his dad crawled into bed next to him and shot himself in the chest."
Frazier said Bartnes had possibly suffered from mental health issues. Her landlord told her that when he saw Bartnes prior to his death, he "seemed off." Bartnes also reportedly left three suicide notes — one for her, one for law enforcement, and one offering an apology for his actions.
Frazier said she had not been able to read any of the notes after police confiscated them as part of their investigation into the deaths. A GoFundMe page started to support Frazier states that the mother was a day care provider for her community. The funeral for the father and son is currently on hold.
Donations will go toward funeral expenses and supporting the family as they navigate the devastating loss.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments