A heartbreaking murder-suicide in Holmesville Township, Minnesota, claims the lives of a 3-year-old boy and his father. Authorities verify Gene Bartnes, 45, fatally shot his son Koltyn Bartnes whereas the toddler slept, then turned the gun on himself.
Grim Discovery Unfolds
Deputies from the Becker County Sheriff’s Workplace responded to a house in Holmesville Township on March 30, 2026, round 12:39 p.m. Gene’s brother referred to as after he failed to point out up for work. Upon coming into the residence, the brother discovered Gene lifeless from a gunshot wound. Officers later found Koltyn additionally deceased from a gunshot wound.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Workplace dominated Koltyn’s loss of life a murder and Gene’s a suicide.
Mom Shares Devastating Particulars
Koltyn’s mom, Kristi Frazier, reveals Gene left three suicide notes: one addressed to her, one other as an apology, and a 3rd for regulation enforcement. These notes now function proof within the ongoing investigation, stopping her from studying them.
Frazier describes the scene based mostly on police data: Koltyn was shot within the again whereas sleeping, after which Gene lay beside him and shot himself within the chest. She recounts studying the information: “I simply need to maintain my child. I stood up and I simply fell. I could not even transfer. They stated that Koltyn was shot within the again when he was sleeping. Then his dad crawled into mattress subsequent to him and shot himself within the chest.”
Frazier famous uncommon conduct from Gene within the days prior however by no means anticipated this tragedy.
Prior Authorized Historical past
Courtroom information present Gene accomplished three years of probation in 2023 for a home assault conviction. He had pleaded responsible to punching his fiancée’s 17-year-old son on the similar Holmesville Township deal with.
Group Help Emerges
A GoFundMe marketing campaign helps Frazier and her household, elevating over $7,000 by Wednesday. The web page states: “No mother or father ought to ever should expertise this type of ache, and but our beloved daycare supplier, Kristi, is now going through each mother or father’s worst nightmare.” Funds cowl funeral bills and different wants throughout this loss.
Sheriff’s Workplace Assertion
The Becker County Sheriff’s Workplace confirms: “The deceased have been recognized as Gene Russell Bartnes, 45, and Gene’s son, Koltyn Wayne Bartnes, age 3, each of Detroit Lakes. The MN Bureau of Prison Apprehension Crime Lab is helping the Becker County Sheriff’s Workplace with the investigation.”
