MADISON, WI – Friends and family of Brooke Strattan are mourning the loss of the 24-year-old Wisconsin woman, whose life was cut short last fall in what investigators say was a tragedy rooted in violence and fear. The man responsible for her death, 26-year-old James Barnes-Morris, pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree reckless homicide, formally admitting his role in Strattan’s killing.
According to authorities, Strattan disappeared in late September 2024 after a tumultuous period in her relationship with Barnes-Morris. People close to Strattan remembered a fierce argument between the pair just days before her disappearance. Those present said Strattan, visibly shaken, confided that she feared for her safety, giving voice to concerns that sadly proved prescient.
On September 30, 2024, Barnes-Morris was reportedly the last person to be seen with Strattan. Her absence quickly raised alarms among her loved ones, prompting a search that ended days later when her body was discovered in a retention pond. The circumstances surrounding her death shocked the local community, prompting urgent calls for justice.
Investigators detailed a chilling aftermath, noting that Barnes-Morris went to a friend’s home mere hours after he was last seen with Strattan. The friend later told police that Barnes-Morris appeared wet and bore bloody scratches on his legs. It was during that visit that Barnes-Morris made incriminating remarks about disposing of someone, referencing makeshift methods and the difficulties he faced.
The search for Barnes-Morris culminated on October 3, 2024, when police found him hiding in a friend’s basement. He was in possession of Strattan’s phone and credit cards at the time of his arrest, further tying him to the crime.
Court records show that prosecutors originally charged Barnes-Morris with both first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless homicide, each carrying a domestic abuse modifier. As part of his plea, the more severe intentional homicide charge was dropped.
The Dane County District Attorney’s Office is now seeking a substantial sentence, with Barnes-Morris facing up to 60 years in prison for his plea to first-degree reckless homicide. The sentencing phase will address the full impact of Strattan’s loss, as friends and family are expected to provide statements detailing the lasting pain caused by her death.
Strattan’s loved ones have described her as a bright and caring individual whose life was marked by compassion and resilience. In the wake of her passing, community members have called attention to the dangers of domestic violence, reflecting on the urgent need for resources and support systems to protect those at risk.
As the case moves toward sentencing, the focus remains on honoring Strattan’s memory and seeking accountability for the violence that stole her future. Community advocates hope her story will drive greater awareness and prevention efforts, ensuring that other lives are not lost to similar circumstances.
No sentencing date has been set as of yet, but court officials have indicated that the proceedings will take place in Dane County Circuit Court.