Why Missing Mom's Fiance Was Hit With 2 Murder Counts

Patrick Frazee was in court Monday
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 1, 2019 4:39 PM CST
Updated Jan 2, 2019 1:03 AM CST
What Charges Filed Against Missing Mom's Fiance Suggest
Patrick Frazee leaves the Teller County District Court in Cripple Creek, Colo., Monday, Dec. 31, 2018.   (Chappin Everett/The Gazette via AP)

The fiance of a Colorado mother who was last seen on Thanksgiving Day was charged with five felonies Monday. And while prosecutors say they aren't allowed to share details in the case, People breaks down what the charges suggest. Patrick Frazee, 32, faces two counts of murder and three counts of solicitation to commit murder. The latter counts could indicate that Frazee allegedly asked one individual, on three occasions, to kill 29-year-old Kelsey Berreth, or that he allegedly approached three people about the plot. Per the charges, the alleged solicitations took place between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1.

As for the pair of first-degree murder counts, "obviously, there’s only one murder in this case," said District Attorney Dan May, per WXYZ. "Under Colorado law, we file separate counts under different theories of first-degree murder. We filed under two theories: One is deliberation for murder. And the other is felony murder." The Colorado Springs Gazette elaborates on the theories: that Frazee either killed Berreth himself with intent and after deliberation, or that she died in the course of a robbery. The couple's 1-year-old daughter is with Berreth's relatives. (More Kelsey Berreth stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X