In March 2021, Brian Cohee, 19, was arrested in Colorado after a bag containing human remains was found in his house. The victim was a 69-year-old man, Warren Barnes.
On the night of February 28, 2021, Brian Cohee accidentally drove his car into a river. Brian was driving around when he parked his family’s car on a boat ramp near the Colorado River. He claimed he needed to “relax and think,” but ended up getting the car stuck in the river.
In the meantime, while authorities were trying to recover his car from the river, Brian, with his parents, went home because he didn’t have pants on and warmed up as he was feeling cold. When the parent arrived back at the river, the crew noticed and informed the parents about the blood on the vehicle, dripping underneath the back license plate.
Brian’s mother, Terri, called Brian and asked him if he was okay or if he had suffered any cuts or injuries, to which Brian claimed that he was okay and he didn’t suffer any injuries.
The was is successfully recovered from the river, but the blood was still a point of interest for the authorities. The crew asked Brian’s parent if they could look into the trunk, and the parents were okay with the police looking at it. But the police weren’t able to get into the trunk because, seemingly, Brian had locked the trunk before driving the car into the river.
The following day, the police handed over the custody of the car to the Cohee. Brian’s father, Brian Sr., was cleaning the car that day when he found a large kitchen knife in the glove compartment. He also found someone’s wallet in the car, where he found a company card. He called the company “Labor Ready” and found out that the person whose wallet he found is missing. He then called his son and asked about the wallet, and he said that he found it at the boat ramp. At that time, he believed his son, then finished cleaning the car.
Brian had just finished washing the car when he received a call from his wife, Terri, to come home immediately. Terri also called 9-1-1 and said that she found a human head inside a trash bag in her son’s closet.
Upon arrival, the cops questioned Brian Jr. about the remains found in his closet. He confessed to killing the missing man, 69-year-old Warren Barnes, on Feb. 27, 2021. He said, “I wanted to see what it felt like.”. Police searched the property and found the head and hands of the old man. Brian also told that he threw the remaining body parts in the river. Based on the evidence collected and Brian’s statements, he was arrested on charges of murder and other related offenses.
While Brian was taken to the sheriff’s office, he told the officer that he killed the man under a bridge, right by the jail. A patrol car was sent to investigate the crime scene, which Brian said was right under the bridge. Police found a leg and an arm near a pillar, under the bridge.
Detective questioned Terri about Brian’s mental health; she said that Brian has been diagnosed with several mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder.
Upon questioning, Brian confessed that he had been contemplating murder for months, specifically targeting a homeless person or a prostitute because he believed their disappearance would go unnoticed. Cohee noted this intention in his cellphone as a “1st,” indicating it was a significant event for him.
Warren Barnes was described as a gentle and selfless individual who asked for little from others, often just a place to sit and read. He was known for his quiet demeanor, rarely speaking unless spoken to, and often absorbed in his books.
Despite his circumstances, he was a hard worker who took on various jobs, including carrying boxes for store owners and working through a temporary agency. Barnes was very private, sharing little about his life, which made those who knew him appreciate the moments they had with him.
Warren often sat behind Monique bridal shop absorbed in paperbacks when he wasn’t helping store owners move boxes or doing odd jobs through a temporary agency.
He was an avid reader, often found with a book in hand, particularly enjoying thrillers and Western history. Barnes enjoyed feeding birds and spending time outdoors, which was a significant part of his daily routine.
Cohee identified Warren Barnes, known locally as “the reading man” due to his habit of reading behind a bridal shop, as his victim. He observed Barnes sleeping near Crosby Avenue in Grand Junction, Colorado, and decided to act.
Cohee detailed how he prepared for the murder by assembling a kit that included a 12-inch kitchen knife and plastic gloves. He approached Barnes while he was sleeping, pulled back the canvas covering him, and stabbed him in the neck. Cohee described Barnes’s initial panic and his own continued assault until Barnes was deceased. He recalled the victim’s last words: “Why are you attacking me?”
After killing Barnes, Cohee dismembered the body at the scene, disposing of parts in various locations, including throwing some into the Colorado River and keeping others, such as the head and hands, in his closet.
Cohee detailed how he dressed in blue coveralls, a mask, and three pairs of rubber gloves to carry out the murder.
Throughout his interactions with police, Cohee displayed an alarming lack of emotion or remorse. He even chuckled while recounting the dismemberment details, as he described himself as “not caring for people,” showing a disturbing fascination with violence.
The trial of Brian Cohee, began on January 17, 2023, in Mesa County, Colorado. Cohee, 21 at the time of the trial, faced charges including first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, and tampering with evidence.
Cohee entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. His defense team presented evidence of his diagnosed mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. They argued that these conditions, combined with environmental stressors, rendered him incapable of distinguishing right from wrong at the time of the crime. Dr. Paul Spragg, a defense psychologist, testified that Cohee’s mental state could have contributed to his actions.
The prosecution contended that Cohee had premeditated the murder, specifically targeting a homeless individual. They highlighted Cohee’s detailed planning, including assembling a kit with a 12-inch kitchen knife and plastic gloves, and his confession of wanting to know what it felt like to kill someone. The prosecution also emphasized Cohee’s attempts to conceal the crime, such as dismembering Barnes’s body and attempting to dispose of the remains, indicating his awareness of the wrongdoing.
Two state-appointed psychologists evaluated Cohee and concluded that he was legally sane at the time of the offense, capable of understanding the nature and consequences of his actions. In contrast, the defense’s psychologist suggested that Cohee experienced a transient psychotic episode during the crime, impairing his ability to discern right from wrong.
After approximately two days of deliberation, the jury found Cohee guilty on all counts, including first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, and tampering with evidence. The verdict was delivered on February 3, 2023. Cohee displayed no visible reaction upon hearing the verdict. He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the murder charge, with additional concurrent sentences for the other charges.
Brian Cohee is serving time in the Buena Vista Correctional Complex.
Following Warren’s tragic death, a bronze sculpture was commissioned to honor his memory, symbolizing the impact he had on the community and the love they held for him.
