A Minnesota toddler was murdered as he slept by his own father who then turned the gun on himself in a horrific murder suicide.
Koltyn Bartnes, 3, was killed inside a home in Holmesville Township by his father Gene Bartnes, 45, who then killed himself, police said.
The grim discovery was made on Monday afternoon, the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the toddler’s death as homicide, and Gene’s as suicide.
Deputies with the Becker County Sheriff’s Office were asked to respond to the address by Gene’s brother after he never appeared for work that day, a statement said.
His brother entered the address prior to deputies arriving to find Gene dead inside the address from a gunshot wound, officers later found the youngster dead inside.
Koltyn’s mother Kristi Frazier has since spoken with Valley News Live, revealing that Gene left three suicide notes at the scene.
According to Frazier the toddler was shot in the back as he slept, before his father lay beside him and shot himself in the chest.
Describing being told the devastating news, she said: ‘I just want to hold my baby. I stood up and I just fell. I couldn’t even move.
‘They said that Koltyn was shot in the back when he was sleeping. Then his dad crawled into bed next to him and shot himself in the chest.’
Koltyn Bartnes, pictured here, was killed inside a home in Holmesville Township by his father Gene Bartnes
According to the boys mother, the toddler was shot in the back as he slept, before Gene, seen here, lay beside him and shot himself in the chest
Frazier told the outlet that Gene left three suicide notes, one was addressed to her, another was an apology, and another for law enforcement.
She has not been able to read them because they now form part of a police investigation.
According to Frazier she was alerted to odd behavior from Gene in the days leading up to their deaths but didn’t expect this outcome.
According to court records seen by the Star Tribune, Gene had just finished 3 years of probation relating to a domestic assault conviction in 2023.
He had pleaded guilty to punching his fiancée’s 17-year-old son at the same address where the murder-suicide took place, a criminal complaint seen by the outlet said.
A GoFundMe was set up to aid Frazier, with donators already raising over $7,000 as of Wednesday.
A post to the page said: ‘No parent should ever have to experience this kind of pain, and yet our beloved daycare provider, Kristi, is now facing every parent’s worst nightmare.
‘Every day, she pours her heart into caring for others—nurturing, showing up, and creating an environment where children feel deeply loved and valued.
‘Now, it’s our turn to surround her with that same love. As Kristi takes time away to grieve and be with her family, we hope to ease any financial burden during this incredibly difficult time.
Koltyn is seen here alongside his mom and siblings in a picture shared to a GoFundMe
Kristi Frazier is seen here alongside Koltyn’s siblings as they spoke with Valley News Live
Crime scene tape is seen here outside of the home in Holmesville Township this week after the grim discovery
‘Donations will go toward funeral expenses and supporting her family as they navigate this devastating loss.’
In a statement, the sheriff’s office said: ‘On March 30, 2026, at approximately 12:39 PM, the Becker County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an individual who went to check on his brother because he had not shown up for work today.
‘The individual went to his brother’s residence in Holmesville Township and found his brother deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
‘When deputies arrived on scene, a child was also found deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
‘The deceased have been identified as Gene Russell Bartnes, 45, and Gene’s son, Koltyn Wayne Bartnes, age 3, both of Detroit Lakes.
‘The MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Crime Lab is assisting the Becker County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.’
