COLORADO, USA — The fiancé of 29-year-old mother Kelsey Berreth, who was last seen in Woodland Park on Thanksgiving Day 2018, has been formally charged with first-degree murder in relation to her disappearance.
Patrick Frazee was arrested Friday, Dec. 22, nearly one month after Berreth was last seen on surveillance footage at a Safeway.
That was Nov. 22, 2018, Thanksgiving Day.
Berreth is presumed dead, and, in addition to the first-degree murder charge, Frazee has also been charged with tampering with a body, solicitation to commit first-degree murder and two counts of a crime of violence, which are sentence enhancers.
Their young daughter is currently in Berreth's parents' custody.
Frazee's trial began Oct. 28, 2019, and since Berreth's body has never been found, much of the prosecutors' case hinges on testimony from Idaho nurse Krystal Lee Kenney, who claims she was dating Frazee and that she helped him clean up the crime scene after he murdered Berreth. Kenney pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and will testify against him during the trial.
Below is a timeline of events and 9NEWS coverage of the Kelsey Berreth murder trial. (Note: Events are listed in reverse chronological order.)
Nov. 13: Clients: Frazee spoke ill of Berreth; experts says human tooth found near burn site on Frazee's property
Multiple clients who used Frazee as a farrier claim that he told them he didn’t know she was pregnant with their child — something that runs counter to claims made by her mother and other previous testimony. Also in court Wednesday, an expert witness said what is very likely a human tooth was found near a burn area on Frazee's property, but DNA evidence is inconclusive about who it belongs to.
Nov. 12: Lee told coworkers she’d gotten herself into a ‘bad situation’ after Berreth’s disappearance
After she was questioned by the FBI, two women who worked with Lee said she admitted to having some sort of involvement in the case.
Nov. 11: What cellphone data showed investigators in the Kelsey Berreth murder case
An FBI agent tracked phones that belonged to Berreth, murder suspect Frazee, and Lee.
Nov. 8: Witnesses corroborate parts of Lee's testimony about the murder; ‘No body, no crime’: Friend of Frazee says he made disturbing comments
Following more than a day 1/2 of bombshell testimony from Lee, the jury heard from numerous witnesses who began to corroborate parts of her story — including her father.
RELATED: ‘No body, no crime’: Friend of Kelsey Berreth murder suspect says he made disturbing comments
Nov 7, 2019: Video shows Lee showing investigators where she said suspect burned Berreth’s body; Why Lee didn’t call law enforcement, waited to tell the truth about Berreth
Video played in the courtroom where Frazee was standing trial for murder showed Lee walking around the property and describing what she remembered about the night she said she saw flames consume a large black tote that allegedly contained Berreth’s body. ... That same day, the public defenders representing Frazee repeatedly pressed Lee about her truthfulness, and why she didn’t contact law enforcement after allegedly becoming aware of his deadly intentions.
RELATED: Video shows Krystal Lee showing investigators where she said suspect burned Kelsey Berreth’s body
Nov. 6, 2019: Lee recounts Berreth's alleged last words and her complicated relationship with the murder suspect
Lee’s four-hour testimony in a Teller County courtroom ended with what she said were the last words ever spoken by Berreth, who she said she'd met only once.
Nov. 5, 2019: Trial testimony reveals portrait of Berreth, what Frazee and she did on the last day she was seen alive
Tho people who knew and loved Berreth shared tidbits that offer a glimpse of the woman who Frazee's accused of murdering. In addition, prosecutors spent much of the day building a nearly minute-by-minute timeline of what surveillance video shows Berreth and Frazee were doing on the last day she was seen alive.
Nov. 4, 2019: Officer, bank manager among witnesses who testify in trial
Multiple witnesses testified about the days after Berreth disappeared during day 2 of the trial.
Nov. 1, 2019: 12 jurors, 4 alternates selected; Berreth's mom testifies
A process that has involved hundreds of Teller County residents trudging through six inches of snow and braving icy conditions on slick mountain roads ended with the selection of nine women and seven men.
Also on Nov. 1, Cheryl Berreth was the first witness called to the stand after jury selection and opening statements concluded on Friday afternoon.
RELATED: ‘She was a great mom’: Mother of Kelsey Berreth testifies about daughter’s disappearance, death
Oct. 30, 2019: Final round of jury selection for trial happening Friday
What began with 1,750 jury summons is expected to end with a final 12 jurors and four alternates by sometime Friday afternoon.
Oct. 29, 2019: Hundreds of potential jurors will walk through a tiny courthouse built in 1905. Here’s what that looks like
The Teller County Courthouse was built in 1905, and outside of the addition of computers and metal detectors, little else has changed.
This means that accommodating the hundreds of potential jurors who will walk through its doors this week for the case is a unique challenge for the courthouse’s small staff of two judges, six full-time employees and three part-time employees.
Oct. 28, 2019: Frazee trial begins; Court begins whittling 1,750 summons down to 12 jurors, 4 alternates
Jury selection for the trial against Frazee, began on a cold, snowy Monday morning in Cripple Creek. Eighty-five of the 1,750 potential jurors who received a summons in this case appeared at the Teller County courthouse for the first day of jury selection.
RELATED: Kelsey Berreth murder case: Court begins whittling 1,750 summons down to 12 jurors, 4 alternates
Oct. 27, 2019: Patrick Frazee is set to stand trial for the murder of Kelsey Berreth. Here's what we know about the case so far
Ahead of the Frazee's trial date, set for Oct. 28, 2019, here's a comprehensive look at the case, including the events that prosecutors claim led up to Berreth's murder, what happened afterward, Frazee's arrest, Kenney's claims and more.
Sept. 17, 2019: Frazee's defense misses deadline to name alternate suspect in Berreth's death
The attorneys representing Frazee did not file a motion naming an alternate suspect in the death of Berreth, according to the spokesperson for Colorado Courts. The defense had until 11:59 p.m. on Monday to do so.
RELATED: Patrick Frazee's defense misses deadline to name alternate suspect in Kelsey Berreth's death
Aug. 30, 2019: Judge rules jury can hear statements Frazee made to social worker after arrest
The social worker was going to make a recommendation to the court about who should take care of Frazee and Berreth's daughter.
Aug. 23, 2019: Frazee appears in court for motions hearing
At the motions hearing in Teller County court Friday, attorneys debated whether or not the jury during October’s trial should hear from a Department of Human Services (DHS) worker who visited with Frazee shortly after his arrest.
Aug. 20, 2019: Jury may not hear some statements Frazee made following his arrest
Attorneys for Frazee filed a motion with the court to have statements he made to a Department of Human Services employee several days after his December 2018 arrest suppressed-- meaning they wouldn't be revealed to the jury at trial.
July 26, 2019: DA not pursuing death penalty against Frazee
A spokesperson for Fourth Judicial District Attorney Dan May's office told 9NEWS that they did not file the motion, but she did not give a reason.
June 23, 2019: Idaho nurse involved in Berreth case has to wait for Frazee's trial before she learns her fate
Kenney, who made a plea deal to cooperate in the Berreth death investigation, will have her fate decided once Frazee's case is resolved, a Teller County judge decided in court.
June 14, 2019: Tooth fragment will be tested in Berreth case
Investigators discovered a tooth fragment while searching a ranch owned by Frazee. The fragment will be tested for blood and DNA evidence.
May 24, 2019: Frazee pleads not guilty, trial set for October
Frazee pleaded not guilty during a hearing Friday morning in Teller County.
April 5, 2019: Arraignment in case against Frazee postponed until May 24
Frazee briefly appeared in Teller County court.
Both the defense and prosecution agreed to postpone the arraignment hearing for Frazee until May 24 due to ongoing forensic testing.
March 6, 2019: Search warrants show text conversations between Berreth and Frazee, what evidence was gathered from his home
Prosecutors released the dozens of search warrants that were executed in the days and weeks following the Nov. 22 disappearance of Berreth.
Feb. 26, 2019: Investigators begin searching landfill for Berreth’s remains
Investigators arrived at a landfill south of Colorado Springs Tuesday morning to start their search for the remains of Berreth.
Feb. 22, 2019: Law enforcement to search landfill for Berreth’s remains
Woodland Park Police detectives and other law enforcement officials announce they will start searching a landfill in Fountain next week for the remains of Berreth.
Feb. 20, 2019: Cell phone records, video provide timeline of Berreth killing
Cell phone records and security camera footage paint a timeline of when investigators believe Frazee beat his fiance to death with a baseball bat, according to an arrest affidavit from the Woodland Park Police Department.
Feb. 19, 2019: CBI: Idaho nurse claimed Frazee fatally beat Berreth, burned her body
A CBI agent testified in court that Kenney told him that she helped Frazee clean up a “horrific” crime scene after she said he murdered Berreth.
CBI Agent Gregg Slater, who testified during Frazee's preliminary hearing in Teller County court, recounted details that investigators say confirm Berreth was murdered.
In addition to first-degree murder and solicitation to commit first-degree murder, prosecutors added counts for tampering with a deceased human body and crime of violence, which is a sentence enhancer.
The judge ruled there is enough evidence for Frazee to stand trial for the charges against him.
Feb. 15, 2019: Family: Custody of 1-year-old daughter was Frazee's motive in Berreth murder
Berreth's parents said they believe Frazee killed her because he wanted full custody of their 1-year-old daughter.
That's according to an amended wrongful death lawsuit the 29-year-old's family filed against Frazee on Friday. In the lawsuit, it's alleged that Frazee and Berreth actually broke up on Thanksgiving Day and that Berreth agreed to share their young daughter 50/50, which he did not want.
RELATED: Family: Custody of 1-year-old daughter was Patrick Frazee's motive in Kelsey Berreth murder
Feb. 8, 2019: 'I learned that Patrick Frazee had committed a homicide': Idaho nurse pleads guilty to moving Berreth's cell phone
Kenney, 32, appeared in Teller County Court, where she pleaded guilty to a felony for tampering with physical evidence. She also read a statement where she said she learned Frazee "committed a homicide on approximately Nov. 22, 2018 in Teller County."
Feb. 7, 2019: Daughter of Frazee, Berreth to remain in custody of maternal grandparents
A Teller County Court judge ruled that Frazee's and Berreth's 1-year-old child will remain in the custody of her maternal grandparents.
Feb. 4, 2019: Idaho nurse investigated in disappearance of Berreth faces one count of tampering with evidence
Kenney faces one count of tampering with physical evidence, a class 6 felony, according to a complaint filed in Teller County Court. Her appearance is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 8.
Jan. 5, 2019: Berreth’s parents file wrongful death lawsuit against Frazee
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Darrell and Cheryl-Lee Berreth in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. It seeks unspecified damages against Frazee.
Jan. 4, 2019: Frazee allowed to see arrest affidavit in the case against him
Jennifer Viehman, the district attorney assigned to the case, said she would allow Frazee's attorney to review the arrest warrant affidavit, but asked that he not share it or discuss it with Frazee. In the hearing, it was determined that Frazee could now access the arrest affidavit in the case against him.
Jan. 4, 2019: Idaho nurse being investigated for disposing of Berreth's phone, NBC News confirms
Details about the woman and how she is connected to the Berreth case are limited at this time, but it has been confirmed to NBC that she is a 32-year old nurse from Twin Falls, Idaho. That's about 35 miles from Gooding, Idaho, where investigators previously said Berreth's phone pinged on Nov. 25.
Jan. 3, 2019: 1-year-old daughter to stay in custody of Berreth's grandparents
The courts rule that the daughter of Berreth and Frazee will continue to remain in the custody of the maternal grandparents and child protective services. This was the second hearing on the matter.
Dec. 31, 2018: Frazee charged with five counts related to Berreth's disappearance
Frazee appeared in Teller County court on Monday, Dec. 31, where he was formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of solicitation to commit first-degree murder.
Dec. 27, 2018: Courts rule that Berreth's and Frazee's 1-year-old daughter will remain in custody of maternal grandparents
Teller County court ruled that Kelsey Berreth's parents will retain physical custody of the child and that the Teller County Department of Human Services will retain legal custody. Frazee's mother has since filed a motion to intervene in the decision.
Dec. 24, 2018: Court documents detailing elements of the legal proceedings against Frazee released
The documents included a request from Frazee’s public defenders asking that investigators turn over emails and text messages they’ve recovered.
Dec. 22, 2018: Twin Falls, Idaho police announce they assisted the FBI and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation with the case.
Police in Idaho worked with the FBI and CBI to serve several search warrants and process evidence as part of the ongoing investigation into the missing Colorado mom.
RELATED: FBI reached out to Twin Falls police to process evidence related to Kelsey Berreth's disappearance
Dec. 21, 2018: Frazee arrested for first-degree murder and solicitation to commit first-degree murder
Patrick Frazee was taken into custody just after 7 a.m. Friday and is expected to face charges of first-degree murder and solicitation for first-degree murder.
Dec. 18, 2018: Law enforcement returns to Frazee's home
Police officers and agents with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation were seen going in and out of Frazee's home Thursday night.
Dec. 16, 2018: Search of Frazee's home concludes; Berreth not found
Investigators said Berreth remains missing after detectives executed a search warrant at her fiancé's 35-acre property over the weekend.
Dec. 15, 2018: $25,000 reward offered for Berreth's return
Woodland Park Police announce a $25,000 reward for information leading to Berreth's safe return.
Dec. 14, 2018: Police search the home of Frazee
Law enforcement agencies first appeared at Frazee's 35-acre Florissant property to execute a search.
Dec. 12, 2018: Mom talks about the relationship between Berreth and Frazee; Frazee issues statement saying he's cooperating
Cheryl Berreth, the mother of Kelsey Berreth, told NBC News that it's not like her daughter to go missing, and that Kelsey Berreth and Patrick Frazee we "loving," and that the relationship hasn't been ideal given the economy ... but that "they've made things work regardless."
Through his attorney, Frazee said he voluntarily released his phone to law enforcement for a search and provided buccal swabs and photographs.
Dec. 10, 2018: Mom pleads for the safe return of her daughter
Kelsey Berreth's mom, Cheryl Berreth, spoke at a news conference on Monday, Nov. 10, where she pleaded for the safe return of her daughter.
Dec. 7, 2018: Officials release information about Kelsey Berreth's phone pinging in Idaho
Kelsey Berreth's phone pinged in Gooding, a small southern Idaho community. Police said the ping happened sometime on Nov. 25.
Nov.-22-Dec. 2, 2018: Kelsey Berreth last seen; mother reports her missing
Kelsey Berreth's mom first reported her daughter missing on Dec. 2. Investigators said she was last seen in surveillance footage at a Safeway with her daughter on Nov. 22, Thanksgiving Day.