Where is krystal lee kenney now

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Krystal Lee Kenney is currently incarcerated at the Denver Women's Correctional Facility in Colorado, serving a 3-year prison sentence for tampering with evidence in the 2018 murder of Kelsey Berreth. She pleaded guilty in September 2019 and was sentenced in November 2019, with her earliest possible release date being in 2022 after accounting for credit for time served.

Key Facts

Krystal Lee Kenney pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence on September 3, 2019
She was sentenced to 3 years in prison on November 19, 2019
Kenney received credit for 294 days served in jail prior to sentencing
Her earliest possible release date was in 2022
She is incarcerated at Denver Women's Correctional Facility in Colorado

Overview

Krystal Lee Kenney is a former Idaho nurse who became a central figure in the 2018 murder case of Kelsey Berreth, a 29-year-old flight instructor from Woodland Park, Colorado. The case gained national attention due to its shocking details and the involvement of multiple individuals in a complex plot. Kenney's role as the girlfriend of the primary suspect, Patrick Frazee, placed her at the heart of the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.

The murder occurred around Thanksgiving 2018, with Berreth last seen alive on November 22, 2018. Kenney initially cooperated with investigators but later became a key witness against Frazee after striking a plea deal. Her testimony revealed disturbing details about the planning and execution of the crime, including her own involvement in cleaning the crime scene and disposing of evidence.

How It Works

The legal process surrounding Kenney's case involved multiple stages from investigation through sentencing.

Investigation Phase: Law enforcement began investigating Berreth's disappearance in December 2018, with Kenney becoming a person of interest early in the process. She was initially questioned about her relationship with Frazee and her knowledge of Berreth's whereabouts. Investigators discovered text messages and phone records that placed Kenney in Colorado around the time of the murder.
Plea Agreement: On September 3, 2019, Kenney pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with physical evidence, a class 6 felony in Colorado. This plea deal required her to testify against Patrick Frazee in exchange for a reduced sentence. The agreement specifically stated she would receive a 3-year prison sentence rather than facing more serious charges that could have resulted in longer incarceration.
Sentencing Process: Kenney was formally sentenced on November 19, 2019, by Fourth Judicial District Judge Scott Sells. The sentencing hearing included victim impact statements from Berreth's family members, who expressed their grief and anger toward Kenney for her role in covering up the murder. The judge considered both the prosecution's recommendation and the defense's arguments before imposing the agreed-upon sentence.
Incarceration Details: Kenney began serving her sentence immediately after sentencing at the Denver Women's Correctional Facility. Colorado Department of Corrections records show she received credit for 294 days served in jail prior to sentencing. Her inmate number is 121210, and she remains in the general population of the facility under standard security protocols.

Key Comparisons

Feature	Krystal Kenney's Case	Typical Evidence Tampering Cases
Sentence Length	3 years prison	Average 1-2 years for first offense
Plea Deal Terms	Required testimony against co-defendant	Often involves cooperation but not always testimony
Media Attention	National coverage for 2+ years	Typically local or minimal coverage
Victim Impact	Murder victim with child left behind	Varied depending on underlying crime
Time Served Credit	294 days pre-sentence credit	Average 30-90 days for similar cases

Why It Matters

Legal Precedent: Kenney's case demonstrates how plea agreements can secure crucial testimony in murder investigations. Her cooperation directly contributed to Patrick Frazee's conviction for first-degree murder in November 2019, where he received life in prison without parole plus 156 years. This shows the strategic value of witness cooperation in complex criminal cases.
Public Awareness: The extensive media coverage of this case has raised awareness about domestic violence and the dangers of abusive relationships. Statistics show that approximately 1 in 4 women experience severe intimate partner violence in their lifetime, and cases like Berreth's highlight how quickly situations can escalate to tragedy.
Correctional System Impact: Kenney's incarceration contributes to Colorado's prison population of approximately 19,000 inmates as of 2023. Her case represents one of many where non-violent offenders receive prison sentences for accessory crimes, sparking ongoing debates about sentencing reform and prison overcrowding.

Looking forward, Kenney's case will likely continue to be referenced in legal discussions about witness cooperation and sentencing agreements. Her expected release in 2022 marked a new chapter, but the consequences of her actions will have lasting effects on all involved parties. The Colorado justice system's handling of this case may influence future approaches to similar situations where accomplices provide crucial testimony against primary perpetrators. As correctional systems nationwide continue to evolve, cases like Kenney's contribute to ongoing conversations about rehabilitation, accountability, and the complex interplay between justice and mercy in the American legal system.