Authorities in Minnesota are investigating a devastating incident in which a 3-year-old child was killed inside his home, with officials confirming the case as a murder-suicide.
According to the Becker County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a residence in Holmesville Township on March 30, 2026, after a concerned family member requested a welfare check. The call came when Gene Russell Bartnes, 45, failed to appear for work.
Before law enforcement arrived, the man’s brother entered the home and discovered him deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. When deputies reached the scene, they also found his young son, Koltyn Wayne Bartnes, 3, dead inside the residence.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled the child’s death a homicide and the father’s death a suicide.
Details Emerge From Family and Officials
The child’s mother, Kristi Frazier, shared details of the tragedy in an interview with Valley News Live. She said she was told her son had been shot while sleeping, and that his father later took his own life.
Describing the moment she learned of the loss, Frazier said, “I just want to hold my baby. I stood up and I just fell. I couldn’t even move.”
She also revealed that three notes were left at the scene—one addressed to her, one described as an apology, and another intended for law enforcement. The notes have not been reviewed by her as they remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Law enforcement confirmed that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Crime Lab is assisting in the case.
Prior Legal History and Community Response
Court records cited by the Star Tribune indicate that Bartnes had recently completed three years of probation tied to a 2023 domestic assault case. The charge stemmed from an incident involving his fiancée’s teenage son at the same residence.
Frazier told Valley News Live that she had noticed unusual behavior from Bartnes in the days leading up to the incident but did not anticipate such a tragic outcome.
In the aftermath, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Frazier and her family. The fundraiser, which had surpassed $7,000 by Wednesday, describes her as a devoted daycare provider and emphasizes the emotional and financial burden she now faces.
Officials have not released further details as the investigation remains ongoing.
