Kelsey Berreth: Fiancé of Colorado mother charged with murder a month after she went missing
The mother of a one-year-old baby has been missing since the end of November
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The fiancé of a missing mother in Colorado has been arrested and charged with murder a month after her disappearance.
Patrick Frazee was arrested at his home in Florissant, Colorado. Kelsey Berreth, 29, the mother of the pair's one-year-old daughter, went missing on Thanksgiving Day. Mr Frazee has also been charged with solicitation to murder, although police did not give any more details.
Ms Berreth was last seen on 22 November in a grocery store near her home in Woodland Park, about 15 miles (24km) from Florissant. Surveillance video showed Ms Berreth entering the store with what appeared to be her daughter in a baby carrier.
Mr Frazee told police the last time he saw Ms Berreth, a flight instructor, was that afternoon when he picked up their daughter.
“As you can tell from the arrest, sadly, we do not believe that Kelsey is still alive,” Miles De Young, police chief of Woodland Park said.
The Woodland Park Police said Mr Frazee was sent to the Teller County Jail after his arrest.
The authorities also said, on November, Ms Berreth’s employers claim it received a text from her phone she would not be able to work that week. Mr Frazee also said his fiancée texted him that day, but the text itself has not been released yet.
The police were able to track Ms Berreth’s phone and data indicated she was near Gooding, Idaho, where she has family later that same day. The Idaho town is about 800 miles northwest of Woodland Park.
One week later, Cheryl—Ms Berreth’s mother—reported her daughter missing. The police began their search on 2 December.
“She’s not the kind that runs off,” Ms Berreth's Cheryl said at a police press conference earlier this month. “This is completely out of character. Kelsey loves her God, she loves her family and friends, and she loves her job. She’s reliable, considerate and honest.”
Mr Frazee’s lawyer, Jeremy Loew, said his client was voluntarily handed his phone to the authorities so it can be searched and tested for DNA samples on December 12. Then two days later, the police went looked through Mr Frazee’s home and his 30-acre property in Florissant, Colorado with a search party of 75 officers.
The lawyer said his client was cooperating with police.
Friday's arrest came after police urged Mr Frazee to speak directly with investigators.
The FBI, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and the Woodland Park Police Department were all seen at Ms Berreth’s home on Thursday evening carrying large brown bags out of her home, and a firefighter was seen hauling a ladder inside, CNN affiliate KMGH reported.
On social media, the Woodland Park Police said new information has been trickling in and asks the public to remain patient.
“We hope to have answers for all of the questions our community has on this case as soon as possible.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments