NQL Case File

Circumstances

Date of Disappearance

February 2, 1995

Notes

Barnett spent the early part of the afternoon with his girlfriend Sheila Horton before the two went separate ways to attend parties with their friends. Barnett had borrowed his girlfriend's car, which was later discovered by his friends abandoned in Lakeview. They had looked earlier and the vehicle was not found. Barnett's friend's had been trying to call him all night on his cell but he didn't answer. Horton returned to their Southside apartment at approximately 2:00am the following morning but did not see Barnett. he was not heard from again. In 2015, police arrested Tricia Abney (40) in connection with the death of Justin Barnett. She was a stripper and exotic dancer in 1995, working at a place known as "Sammy's". Tricia's brother had come forwards to say that he knew Barnett was stabbed, beaten, and dismembered and that the crime had been weighing on him ever since. They believe the murder occured during a robbery at an apartment in Birmingham. On June 3, Tricia's brother ("J") left for the Superbowl bowling alley in Tarrant to give his sister time alone with her boyfriend, Jeff Martin. It took several hours for them to return to pick "J" up . Tricia supposedly drew Barnett to an apartment in the 7700 block of Sunrise Lane with the intent that she and her boyfriend would rob him of drugs and money he often carried. Somethine happened, and Barnett was beaten and stabbed. When "J" arrived home, he saw Barnett's remains in the bathtub. The remains were dismembered and placed in trash bags. "J" recognized Barnett because he had seen him once previously on a drug run. "J" also noticed Barnett's white backpack which still contained drugs and money that the trio later used. "J" drove Barnett's vehicle to Lakeview and left it there. They buried his remains in a wooded field in Bibb County. Tricia's boyfriend committed suicide on July 22, 2015, the week police questioned him. Barnett's remains have not been recovered. Tricia admitted to the murder but blamed Jeff Martin for most of what occurred. She was found guilty of capital murder and senteced to life without parole. "J" was not charged.

Location of the Disappearance or Crime Scene

Apartment Complex

Potential Circumstances

Armed Perpetrator, During a Crime, Robbery or Theft

Vehicle

License Plate

Photo of Vehicle

Suspect

Woman

Suspect Description

Tricia Faye Abney (20 at the time) was arrested for the murder. Her boyfriend is believed to have also been involved, but he committed suicide on July 22, 2015. Her brother assisted the two in cleaning up the evidence and disposing of the remains and v

Photo of Suspect