(11Alive.com)
Lisa Brown, the girlfriend of former Buffalo Bills tight end Buster Barnett, kidnapped and killed Barnett’s wife, 58-year-old Sandra Barnett, before killing herself, according to 11Alive News in Georgia.
Here’s everything you need to know.
1. Brown Kidnapped Sandra in a Vehicle Owned by Buster
(Screenshot from 11Alive News)
According to AL.com, the 49-year-old Brown showed up at the house of Buster and Sandra Barnett in Elenwood, Georgia around lunchtime on Wednesday. She was reportedly upset that Buster Barnett and his wife were planning on going on a trip that she didn’t know about. Armed with handcuffs, which police state she had purchased prior to the incident, she kidnapped Sandra and took her away in a Dodge Durango owned by Buster.
Barnett was on the phone at the time of the confrontation at her house, and a friend on the other end heard a struggle before the line went dead. The friend called a male accomplice, who went to check on Barnett just as Brown was leaving the scene.
Police said that Buster Barnett and Brown had been engaged in an affair for several years, while Barnett’s brother stated Brown was an ex-gilfriend.
2. After a High-Speed Car Chase With Police, Brown Shot Both Sandra & Herself
At 5: Police say DeKalb teacher Sandra Barnett was kidnapped from home by husband’s former mistress in murder suicide http://t.co/xKV96mpHni
Thursday morning, the Dodge Durango was spotted by authorities near Interstate 20 in Waco, Georgia. Police began to pursue Brown, and the chase continued on I-20 into Alabama.
Brown eventually pulled over near mile marker 208, and that’s when she fatally shot both Sandra and herself. There was reportedly no shots fired by the police.
3. Brown Was on Probation for Kidnapping Her Child
Lisa Brown, who kidnapped & killed wife of ex-@nfl player #BusterBarnett, was on probation for 2013 #DFW @AMBERAlert. http://t.co/cBCxSboXC7
According to Clayton County Police Captain Richard Gandee, Brown, a native of Lithonia, Georgia, was “on probation for kidnapping out of the state of Texas. She had kidnapped her child that she had lost custody of, and the jurisdiction had to track her for like three days to find her.”
She worked as a teacher at North Atlanta High School between 2008 and 2013.
4. Sandra Was a Well-Respected Middle School Teacher
(Screenshot from 11Alive News)
Working at McNair Middle School in Decatur, Georgia for more than 20 years, Sandra taught students with special needs.
“Everybody just remembers this bubbly, happy spirit — just happy,” said co-worker Nimet Muhammad, via 11Alive News. “Every day at work, you could just count on her.
5. Buster Played 4 Seasons With the Bills in the Early 1980’s
Barnett plays against the Rams in 1983. (Getty)
Buster, who played at Jacksonville State, was drafted No. 299 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1981 draft. A tight end, he spent four seasons in the league, amassing 26 receptions for 236 yards and a touchdown.