Crime
Corie Walsh Charged With First-Degree Murder in Death of 2-Year-Old Son Barrett Walsh
FRANKFORT, Ill. — New court documents have revealed disturbing details surrounding the death of 2-year-old Barrett “Bear” Walsh, whose mother, 38-year-old Corie A. Walsh, is facing three counts of first-degree murder in connection with his death.
According to prosecutors and newly filed court documents, Frankfort police officers were called shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 1, to a home in the 22700 block of Brook Stone Court for a report of an unresponsive child.
The Walsh family reportedly has four young children, including an 8-month-old infant. Court documents indicate that Corie Walsh had been home with Barrett and the infant while her husband, Michael Walsh, was out of town for work. The couple’s two older children had been at school.
According to the court filing, the family’s two older children returned from school at approximately 4 p.m. but found that their mother was not waiting for them at the bus stop. A neighbor reportedly accompanied the children to their home.
Authorities said the children soon ran back outside crying and screaming after discovering their 2-year-old brother in the basement.
An adult neighbor reportedly entered the residence, removed a ligature from Barrett’s neck and began performing CPR while calling 911. Prosecutors said Barrett had been found suspended in the basement from a device attached to a rafter, with his feet off the ground.
The neighbor told investigators that the toddler was cold and had no pulse. Police and emergency dispatch recordings reportedly described the child as unresponsive and indicated that he had bruising around his neck.
Barrett was transported to Silver Cross Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 4:48 p.m.
An autopsy was conducted Wednesday. According to prosecutors, preliminary findings indicated that Barrett died from asphyxia caused by ligature compression of the neck.
While first responders were treating Barrett, officers located Corie Walsh upstairs in the master bedroom. Court documents allege that she was lying in a bathtub containing bloody water and had injuries to her wrists and thighs.
A neighbor was reportedly applying pressure to one of Walsh’s injuries and told investigators that the neighbor had taken a knife from Walsh’s hand and placed it in a sink. Police later recovered the knife as evidence.
Walsh was transported to Silver Cross Hospital for treatment. Her injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
According to prosecutors, Walsh made several statements to police during the initial response and while receiving medical treatment.
Police audio reportedly captured Walsh saying that she had drowned a child somewhere else in the home, prompting officers to search the residence for another possible victim. The family’s other children and infant were subsequently accounted for and found physically unharmed.
Prosecutors later alleged that Walsh admitted killing Barrett and described the toddler as the “devil” and the “anti-Christ.” While hospitalized, she allegedly made additional statements describing how Barrett was killed.
Investigators said those statements were consistent with evidence recovered during the investigation. A neighbor also reportedly told police that Walsh referred to Barrett by his nickname, “Bear,” while she was in the bathtub.
Investigators also learned that Walsh had recently shown significant interest in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial in Massachusetts.
According to prosecutors, witnesses said Walsh had been discussing the case with friends in a group text message as recently as approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, only a few hours before Barrett was discovered.
At the time, jurors in Clancy’s trial were reportedly deliberating in the case involving the Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three young children.
The court documents do not establish that Walsh’s interest in the Clancy case caused or motivated the events surrounding Barrett’s death.
Following an investigation by the Frankfort Police Department and the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force, Walsh was charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors said the three counts are based on different legal theories concerning the same alleged killing. The allegations include that Walsh intended to kill Barrett, knew her actions would cause his death, and knew her conduct created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm.
Frankfort police initially described Barrett’s death as a domestic-related homicide.
As of Thursday, Walsh remained hospitalized at Silver Cross Hospital while prosecutors sought an arrest warrant and requested that a judge deny her pretrial release. Once medically cleared, she is expected to be transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility for a detention hearing.
The investigation remains ongoing. The allegations contained in court documents are not convictions, and Walsh is entitled to due process as the case moves through the court system.
Crime
24-Year-Old Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr Dies in Fatal Jeep Incident in Midland, Christian Rojelio Zubia Arrested
MIDLAND, Texas — Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr., a 24-year-old man from Odessa, died after an incident involving a Jeep Wrangler in Midland on Thursday night, October 8, 2026. The driver, a 30-year-old Odessa man, was later arrested and charged with manslaughter, according to the Midland Police Department.
Police said officers responded at approximately 10:46 p.m. Thursday to a reported crash involving a 2018 Jeep Wrangler and a pedestrian in the 1700 block of Rankin Highway.
During the preliminary investigation, witnesses told authorities that Soto Navarrete had jumped onto the hood of a black Jeep Wrangler. Investigators allege that the driver accelerated while turning southbound, causing Soto Navarrete to fall from the vehicle and sustain fatal injuries.
Authorities identified the driver as Christian Rojelio Zubia, 30, of Odessa.
According to police, Zubia left the scene after the incident. Officers later located him with assistance from the Odessa Police Department.
Zubia was arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with Soto Navarrete’s death. The charge is an allegation, and the case will proceed through the legal system.
The Midland Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident, including the events leading up to Soto Navarrete’s fall from the Jeep.
Authorities have not released further details about what prompted the encounter or whether additional charges may be considered.
Police confirmed that Soto Navarrete’s next of kin has been notified of his death.
Soto Navarrete’s death has left his family and loved ones grieving. His passing serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly a dangerous incident can result in a fatal outcome.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information may be released as authorities continue reviewing the case.
