In the summer of 2015, a domestic turmoil culminated in a tragic and violent end on an Alabama interstate. Sandra Barnett, a 49-year-old special needs teacher at McNair Middle School, became the victim of a kidnapping and murder orchestrated by her husband's mistress. The series of events began to unfold on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at Sandra's home in Ellenwood, Georgia.
While on the phone with a friend, Lisa Brown, the long-time mistress of Sandra's husband, former NFL player Buster Barnett, appeared at the door. The friend on the line heard a struggle before the call abruptly ended.
What followed was a desperate search for Sandra. A friend who went to check on her witnessed a woman, believed to be Brown, speeding away from the Barnett residence in an SUV. The vehicle, a Dodge Durango, was later discovered to be registered to Buster Barnett. By the time police were alerted and began a search, Brown had already abducted Sandra. The search for the two women crossed state lines into Alabama, where police spotted the Durango on Interstate 20. A police chase ensued, with both Georgia and Alabama law enforcement in pursuit.
The chase came to a dramatic and tragic conclusion on I-20 in Cleburne County, Alabama. Brown stopped the SUV in the middle of the highway. As law enforcement approached, Brown shot and killed Sandra Barnett before turning the gun on herself in a murder-suicide. Both women were found deceased inside the vehicle. Investigators later revealed that Brown's actions were fueled by jealousy. She was reportedly upset about an upcoming trip that Buster Barnett was taking with his wife, Sandra, a trip that Brown was not aware of. It was also discovered that Brown had a history of kidnapping, as she was on probation in Texas for kidnapping her own child after losing custody.
The investigation into the murder-suicide concluded that Lisa Brown acted alone in the kidnapping and murder of Sandra Barnett. As Brown was deceased, no arrests were made in connection with Sandra's death, and the case did not proceed to trial. The incident left a community to mourn the loss of a beloved teacher and brought to light the devastating consequences of a long-term affair.
