Gene Bartnes, 45, and his 3‑year‑old son Koltyn were found dead of gunshot wounds in their home in rural Minnesota on Monday afternoon in what Becker County authorities have confirmed as a murder–suicide. Bartnes’ brother discovered Gene’s body after becoming worried when he did not show up for work; deputies later found Koltyn’s body in the home. Police say Bartnes killed his son before shooting himself.
How the shooting unfolded
Koltyn’s mother, Kristi Frazier, told local NBC affiliate KVLY that her former partner shot the toddler in the back while he was asleep, then “crawled into bed next to him and shot himself in the chest.” Frazier said officers described the scene to her, adding that Bartnes may have been struggling with mental health issues and that a landlord had seen him shortly before the deaths and thought he “seemed off.”
Suicide notes and family impact
Frazier said Bartnes left three suicide notes—one addressed to her, one to law enforcement, and one apologizing for his actions—but police took the notes as part of their investigation, so she has not yet read them. Frazier and the children’s surviving siblings are now grieving the loss, and the family has said plans for Koltyn’s funeral are currently on hold. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help support Frazier, who is described as a daycare provider for her community.
