Fiance of missing Colorado woman arrested
WOODLAND PARK, Colo (KXRM) – Law enforcement officers have arrested Patrick Frazee on murder charges in connection with the disappearance of Woodland Park woman Kelsey Berreth.
Frazee was arrested on charges of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit first-degree murder, Woodland Park Police Chief Miles De Young said at a Friday morning press conference.
Frazee was arrested just after 7 a.m. in Florissant. He is being held without bond in the Teller County jail.
Berreth, 29, was last seen on Thanksgiving, when surveillance video showed her entering the Woodland Park Safeway store. She dropped off her 1-year-old daughter with Frazee, who is the girl’s father, later that day. Berreth’s mother reported her missing on December 2.
De Young said investigators have not found Berreth.
“While we have not found Kelsey at this time, information has been developed that is helping to narrow down our search,” he said. “As you can tell from the arrest, sadly, we do not believe Kelsey is still alive.”
Berreth’s daughter is in protective custody and will be reunited with Berreth’s family, according to police.
Law enforcement officers spent two days searching Frazee’s property last week. They conducted a search at Berreth’s home earlier this week.
“Investigators have recovered a number of items that make us suspicious that the crime did occur at Kelsey’s residence,” De Young said. “And that’s why we have been coming back to her residence, as we get additional information that leads us to various locations.”
De Young said Kelsey’s phone did end up in Idaho, as originally reported. Investigators are working to recover the phone.
Investigators said only Frazee has been arrested in connection with the case.
When asked if there will be additional arrests related to the solicitation charge, De Young said, “That’s an absolute possibility, but I’m not going to guess on that at this point.”
The arrest warrant for Frazee is sealed, and is expected to remain sealed for the next several weeks.
A video advisement will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Teller County Courthouse in Cripple Creek. Fourth Judicial District Attorney Dan May said formal charges are expected to be filed in about 10 days.