Search at landfill for Kelsey Berreth’s remains about 40% complete
The Woodland Park Police Department says investigators haven’t found Kelsey Berreth’s remains at a Midway Landfill after more than a month of searching, but they’ve still got a lot to sift through.
The department gave an update on Thursday saying that investigators are about “35 to 40% of the way” through a cell at the landfill that was identified as the search area. That area is about 250 feet by 125 feet and is 25 feet deep. Officers say the refuse is compressed, which is slowing down the search.
Berreth was allegedly killed by her fiance, Patrick Frazee, and her body was said to be burned and dumped in a river or a landfill, according to testimony from an accomplice. Berreth was last seen in public on Thanksgiving Day in Woodland Park.
The search of the Midway Landfill started in late February, and authorities said it could last several months.
Previous Story (Kolby Crossley)
After months of searching, clues have lead investigators in the Kelsey Berreth murder case to the Midway Landfill, where they will conduct a thorough search for her remains.
The search began on Tuesday and could last several months. Authorities held a press conference Monday detailing how they will go about searching the 686,805 yards of refuse.
District Attorney Dan May said, “The testimony was that [murder suspect Patrick Frazee] told Krystal Lee [Kenney] that he was going to dispose of [Berreth’s remains] in a landfill or a river, and that’s as much that came out in the testimony.”
But the question is, what exactly are investigators looking for? According to Krystal Kenney — who is Frazee’s ex-girlfriend — after allegedly murdering Kelsey, Frazee put her body and the baseball bat that he used into a black tote and burned it.
Prosecutor Jennifer Viehman said, “Krystal tells us that Patrick then calls her after he has put Kelsey in a black plastic tote — calls Krystal to come out and help him clean up.”
The search could last up to 80 days, and in a statement about the search Woodland Park Police Chief Miles De Young said, “I want to express my gratitude to Waste Management for working so closely with our investigators as we continue our efforts to locate Kelsey.”
“Additionally, I extend my deep appreciation to the community and our fellow Law Enforcement Agencies for their unwavering support as we tirelessly investigate Kelsey’s case,” De Young said.
KRDO will continue to bring you updates on this developing story.
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