HOLMESVILLE TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A tragic incident in a rural Becker County home has left a community reeling after a 45-year-old man and his 3-year-old son were found dead on March 30. Authorities have since ruled the case a murder-suicide, stemming from a welfare check prompted by the man’s failure to report to work.
The deceased have been identified as Gene Russell Bartnes of Detroit Lakes and his son, Koltyn Wayne Bartnes. The alarming nature of the tragedy has captured public interest, especially following statements from the boy’s mother, Kristi Frazier, who described how police informed her that Koltyn was shot while sleeping. Investigators from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) are assisting the Becker County Sheriff’s Office in piecing together the events leading up to the deaths.
Bartnes’ absence from his job raised concern and prompted his brother to check on him. Upon arriving at their home on County Road 113, he discovered Bartnes with what appeared to be a fatal gunshot wound. Deputies, arriving shortly thereafter, found Koltyn also dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Authorities quickly declared the scene isolated, assuring the public there was no ongoing threat. By the following day, the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the causes of death, listing the child’s passing as a homicide and the father’s as a suicide.
Frazier has become a voice for the grieving family, sharing insights into their last moments together. She revealed that police indicated Bartnes shot his son before turning the gun on himself, an act that was allegedly preceded by the writing of three suicide notes, one addressed to her and others to law enforcement, expressing remorse. The contents of these notes have not been disclosed publicly, prompting questions about the motive behind the tragic occurrence.
Court records indicate that Bartnes had a history of domestic violence, having pleaded guilty in 2023 to a misdemeanor charge after assaulting his fiancée’s teenage son at the same residence. This earlier incident included discussions about domestic violence resources, but it’s unclear if this history contributed to the events that unfolded on March 30. Officials have not indicated whether the earlier case influenced the tragic outcome of the recent deaths.
As investigations continue, community members have gathered to support Frazier amidst the profound loss. A GoFundMe campaign aimed at assisting with funeral expenses highlights her dedication as a daycare provider, emphasizing the unexpected grief no parent should face. In interviews, Frazier expressed her shock and noted that Bartnes had seemed troubled in the days leading up to the incident, though she had not anticipated such a catastrophic decision.
Holmesville Township, a quiet area outside Detroit Lakes, now carries the weight of this heart-wrenching event, which has drawn parallels to other family tragedies in the state. Despite the public interest, specific details about the firearm involved, potential witnesses, and further records remain undisclosed. The sparse information shared by authorities leaves the community grappling with unanswered questions and unresolved grief.
The investigation into this heartbreaking case is ongoing, with support from the BCA crime lab. Officials have not announced when further findings or updates will be available, leaving the community in a state of suspension as they seek clarity amid sorrow.