Idaho Nurse Pleads Guilty To Tampering In CO Mom Murder Case

TELLER COUNTY, CO – An Idaho nurse appeared in Teller County District court Friday and pleaded guilty to "felony tampering" in the case of missing Colorado mother Kelsey Berreth.

Krystal Jean “Lee” Kenney, 33, of Twin Falls, admitted to investigators she had at one point been in possession of Berreth's cell phone, which pinged in Idaho three days after the Colorado mom's disappearance in Woodland Park, Colorado on Thanksgiving day, 2018.

Although the arrest affidavit for Kenny is sealed, prosecutors alleged in court records that Kenney tampered with evidence on Saturday, Nov. 24.

Patrick Frazee, Berreth's fiance and father of her one-year-old daughter, was arrested and faces felony murder charges, although the 29-year-old flight instructor's body has not yet been found. Frazee is being held in the Teller County jail charged with first-degree murder and two counts of solicitation.

"I learned Patrick Frazee had committed a homicide on approximately Nov. 22, 2018, in Teller County," Kenney said in a statement. "I knew that law enforcement would be investigating that crime. I moved the victim’s cell phone with the intent to impair the phone’s availability in the investigation. I had no right or authority to move the victim’s cell phone. That occurred between Nov. 24 and Nov. 25, 2018 in Teller County."

Kenney's plea agreement says she may face prison time, but won't be sentenced until after Frazee's murder trial.

Berreth’s phone pinged in Gooding, Idaho, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Investigators said messages were received from the phone at Berreth's employer, Pueblo-based Doss Aviation, saying she wouldn't be coming in to work. Frazee's phone also received text messages from Berreth's phone, investigators said.

Investigators believe Berreth was murdered in her Woodland Park home at some point after she was captured on video at a grocery store with her baby on Thanksgiving Day.

Related: Kelsey Berreth's Phone: Idaho Woman May Have Dumped It

Related: Fiancé Of Kelsey Berreth Arrested

Related: Warrant Issued For Fiancé Of Missing Colorado Mom

Related: Missing Colorado Mom Kelsey Berreth: 5 Fast Facts

Image via Colorado Springs Police

Stay up-to-date with Colorado news with Patch! There are many ways for you to connect and stay in touch: Newsletters and Email Alerts|Facebook