Crime Solvers Central
CSC
263 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
John Barnes death by force case profile photo

John Kirtley Barnes

Case from Lexington, KY dated Oct 01, 1973

Victim Details

Rev John Kirtley Barnes

Male

White / Caucasian

Lexington

KY

1973-10-01

47

John

Kirtley Barnes

06/29/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
On a tragic day in October of 1973, the city of Lexington, Kentucky, was shaken by a brutal crime that claimed the lives of Reverend John Kirtley Barnes, his daughter, and his son. Rev. Barnes, a 47-year-old White/Caucasian male, was a respected Episcopal priest in his community. The horrifying events unfolded on October 1st, when two inmates escaped from federal custody in Lexington.

The escaped convicts, identified as William Sloan and Wilmer Scott, embarked on a violent crime spree fol ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for John Kirtley Barnes, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (1)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • 2 Escapees Held in Killing Of 6 Persons in Kentucky (Published 1973)

    • Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (3)

    I've been delving into the Barnes family case, and I can't stop thinking about the community's react... ...Read More
    01/01/2024
    I was researching the tragic Barnes family murders and I keep thinking about the impact this must ha... ...Read More
    07/11/2023
    I can't stop thinking about the impact the Barnes family murders had on their community. As if losin... ...Read More
    06/03/2023
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for John Kirtley Barnes

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from Lexington, Kentucky

    William Josh Cole death by force case in Lexington, KY

    William Josh Cole

    Death: May 22, 2017
    In the spring of 2017, the life of William 'Josh' Cole, a 26-year-old Black man from Lexington, Kent n ...Read More
    Kevin Olmeda-Ortiz death by force case in Lexington, KY

    Kevin Olmeda-Ortiz

    Death: Feb 06, 2018
    In the quiet neighborhood of Garden Springs Drive in Lexington, Kentucky, the life of 15-year-old Ke K ...Read More
    Cornelius Allen death by force case in Lexington, KY

    Cornelius Allen

    Death: Feb 07, 2022
    In a quiet residence on Hollow Creek Drive in Lexington, Kentucky, the life of 44-year-old Cornelius u ...Read More
    Jalen Henderson death by force case in Lexington, KY

    Jalen Henderson

    Death: May 21, 2023
    In the late hours of a Sunday night in Lexington, Kentucky, the sound of gunfire shattered the peace c ...Read More
    Devon Sandusky death by force case in Lexington, KY

    Devon Sandusky

    Death: Dec 17, 2021
    In the days leading up to Christmas, a mother's holiday shopping was tragically interrupted by the n ...Read More
    Charles Wright death by force case in Lexington, KY

    Charles Wright

    Death: Jun 22, 2014
    In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Lexington, Kentucky, Charles Wright, a 32-year-old man wit i ...Read More
    Gregory Williams death by force case in Lexington, KY

    Gregory Williams

    Death: Nov 30, 2024
    On a Saturday evening in Lexington, Kentucky, the life of 35-year-old Gregory Williams was tragicall l ...Read More