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Man, Child Found Dead of Gunshot Wounds in Becker County
Medical examiners ruled the child’s death a homicide and the father’s death a suicide, and investigators said there is no known threat to the public.
- On Monday, the Becker County Sheriff's Office discovered Gene Russell Bartnes, 45, and his 3-year-old son, Koltyn Wayne Bartnes, dead inside a home in Holmesville Township, Minnesota.
- The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Koltyn's death a homicide and Gene's death a suicide, confirming the incident as a murder-suicide.
- A family member found Gene Bartnes at his home off Becker County Road 113 after he missed work Monday, prompting the call to deputies.
- Kristi Frazier, the child's mother, said she believes the deaths were a murder-suicide and that Bartnes "left a suicide note," according to local reports.
- Authorities stated the incident was "isolated" with "no known threat to the public," while urging those in distress to contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Becker County murder-suicide: 3-year-old child shot to death identified
The Becker County Sheriff's Office identified the boy as Koltyn Wayne Bartnes, adding his cause of death was ruled a homicide, and his father, 45-year-old Gene Russell Bartnes, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Names released in shooting deaths of father and son in Becker County
DETROIT LAKES — Names have been released in the apparent murder-suicide of a man and a boy at a home in Holmesville Township, according to an update from the Becker County Sheriff’s Office. The deceased have been identified as Gene Russell Bartnes, 45, and his son, Koltyn Wayne Bartnes, 3, both of Detroit Lakes. According to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office, Koltyn’s death has been ruled a homicide, and Gene’s death has been ruled a …
Father and son found dead near Detroit Lakes identified in murder-suicide
BECKER CO., Minn. (KVRR) — Becker County Sheriff’s Office has released the identities of two people found shot to death in Holmesville Township, northeast of Detroit Lakes on Monday. They are 45-year-old Gene Bartnes and his son, 3-year-old Koltyn Bartnes, both of Detroit Lakes. Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled Koltyn’s death a homicide and Gene’s death a suicide. Gene’s brother went to check on him after he didn’t show up for w…
Man, child die from homicide-suicide in Becker County
This story has been updated by Chris Larson 5:30 p.m. update 3/31/26: The deceased have now been identified as Gene Russell Bartnes, 45, and his son, Koltyn Wayne Bartnes, 3, both of Detroit Lakes. According to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office, Koltyn’s death has been ruled a homicide, and Gene’s death has been ruled a suicide. ORIGINAL STORY: BECKER COUNTY, Minn. – A man and child are dead in Becker County. Authorities say they were …
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