In a heartbreaking case that has drawn national attention, a Utah woman admitted guilt to a lesser charge of manslaughter after being accused of killing her friend in a failed suicide pact earlier this year.
Heavenly Faith Garfield, 21, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, September 24, to manslaughter, a second-degree felony, according to Timothy L. Taylor, Deputy Utah County Attorney. Her sentencing is set for November 6, and she faces up to 15 years in prison... Continue reading here ▶
The tragic incident unfolded on April 30 in a Saratoga Springs home, where Garfield’s 21-year-old friend, Brooklyn Michelle Barrett, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Garfield was initially charged with murder and the illegal discharge of a firearm, but her guilty plea to the reduced charge came as part of a plea deal.
Pact That Turned Fatal
Authorities revealed that Garfield and Barrett had entered into a suicide pact, agreeing to take their own lives. However, Garfield shot Barrett but did not carry out the pact herself.
Garfield’s father made the 911 call that led police to the scene. Officers found Barrett’s body covered with a blanket and surrounded by flowers, a detail that highlighted the complex and tragic nature of the case.
Investigators uncovered text messages exchanged between the two friends, showing weeks of discussion about their pact. Barrett, reportedly afraid to take her own life, expressed her wish to die but hesitated to act. A mutual friend also confirmed the existence of the suicide pact to authorities.
Remembering Brooklyn Barrett
Brooklyn Barrett’s death left a deep void in the lives of her family and friends. Remembered as a vibrant and promising young woman, Barrett was a 2021 graduate of Herriman High School who worked at a daycare and loved traveling and the outdoors.
Her obituary described her as someone with an adventurous spirit and a warm personality that touched everyone around her.
A GoFundMe page created in Barrett’s memory has drawn heartfelt messages of support, with loved ones sharing their grief and celebrating her life. “She was bright, loving, and had so much ahead of her,” one family member wrote.
