Patrick Frazee arrested for murder after Kelsey Berreth’s disappearance

Patrick Frazee was arrested for murder after the disappearance of his fiancee, Kelsey Berreth, and there may be more arrests on the way based on preliminary charges.

Frazee, 32, was taken into custody in Florissant shortly after 7 a.m. Friday by officers with multiple agencies, including the FBI and the Teller County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Teller County Jail on charges of murder and solicitation to commit murder.

Berreth, 29, was last seen publicly on Thanksgiving Day in Woodland Park and was reported missing about a week later.

We asked District Attorney Dan May what the second charge meant, and he indicated that Frazee wanted someone to commit murder. May said for the charge to be filed, “it’s not just a discussion, you’ve done something to further the action, showing firmness in what you intended to do.”

Berreth’s body still hasn’t been found, and Woodland Park Police Chief Miles De Young said he wouldn’t speculate on where her body was. He said police had information that “narrowed down” their search for the body.

De Young said during a news conference Friday morning that investigators found a “number of items that indicate the crime did occur at Kelsey’s residence” in Woodland Park. Investigators are still going back to her house for more evidence. It’s not yet clear how Berreth may have been killed.

The arrest warrant was signed by a judge Thursday night, according to De Young.

De Young said there are no leads on a motive, and at this time only Frazee has been arrested. However, May hinted that status may change based on the solicitation charge, and De Young did say additional arrests are an “absolute possibility.”

Formal charges will be filed within the coming days, but May said arrest warrant affidavits would be sealed indefinitely while the investigation continues. Those records contain details about why police suspected Frazee and started searching his property.

We reported that Berreth’s phone was last pinged in Idaho, and De Young confirmed that information Friday. He said her phone ended up in Idaho, and authorities were still working to recover the phone. He added that the case has involved “highly technical work, including searching cell phone records and data.”

The FBI committed more than 20 agents to help with the case through multiple states, and a special agent was at the press conference outlining the cooperation between the agencies. All of the speakers during the news conference expressed their sympathies for Berreth’s family.

Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell specifically noted the impact of the case on the community.

“One of the strong points of this community is the support we received from them. We’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with you, back to back, and that strength is what pushes our deputies and officers to push forward,” Mikesell said.

The investigation will take “some time,” May said, and Berreth’s family said they’re not willing to speak to the media. Berreth’s 1-year-old daughter was taken into protective custody and will be reunited with Berreth’s family, according to police.

Frazee will appear in court for a video arraignment at 3:30 p.m. in Cripple Creek.

Earlier

ABC reports Patrick Frazee was taken away in handcuffs on his property in Teller County Friday morning. ABC says Frazee was under arrest for the murder of his fiancee, Kelsey Berreth.

ABC Reporter Clayton Sandell reports investigators arrived at Frazee’s home Friday morning and served an arrest warrant. He’s charged with murder and solicitation to commit murder, according to court records.

KRDO was live at the Teller County jail where Frazee was booked and authorities confirmed to KRDO that Frazee was in the car.

There will be a news conference with the Woodland Park Police Department today at 10:00 a.m. KRDO will be live at the press conference. Click HERE to watch , or watch below:

Sources tell ABC news the investigation unfolded rapidly in the last 48 hours, and police no longer believe Kelsey Berreth is alive.

Colorado investigators have been searching for Kelsey Berreth since Thanksgiving Day. Berreth is a 29-year-old mother from Woodland Park. Berreth and Frazee are engaged and have a child together, a 1-year-old daughter. Authorities confirm the child is safe.

Earlier this week KRDO reported that Frazee was spotted at a waste management facility. Investigators were also on Frazee’s property for a second time on Tuesday, the first was on Dec. 14.

We are working to gather more information.