When first responders arrived at Katlyn’s Virginia apartment, they initially believed she had overdosed. Her roommate had called 911 after Katlyn’s young daughter realized something was terribly wrong.
But hospital staff quickly noticed suspicious injuries on her head and neck… signs that pointed to something far more sinister.
Investigators with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office discovered what appeared to be a charging cord adapter tangled in bedding… a possible weapon. With no signs of forced entry, detectives first focused on the only other adult in the home. However, after multiple interviews and reviewing the 911 audio of him performing CPR, he was cleared.
That’s when attention shifted to Katlyn’s ex-boyfriend, Trenton Frye. Friends and family said Frye had portrayed himself as a successful businessman with big plans… including moving Katlyn and her daughter to North Carolina.
But weeks before her death, Katlyn reportedly learned the truth. According to relatives, Frye allegedly misrepresented his finances, job status, and even the car he drove. Devastated, she cut off contact and blocked him.
Prosecutors later revealed cellphone data placing Frye near Katlyn’s apartment the night she was attacked. In court, Commonwealth Attorney Wes Nance argued Frye may have used a bench found behind the apartment building to climb onto the second-floor balcony without forcing entry.
Defense attorneys countered that there was no direct physical evidence placing him inside and questioned whether anyone could scale the balcony unnoticed.
During testimony, Frye referred to himself as a “ninja”… a detail prosecutors highlighted as they argued he had the ability to carry out the attack undetected.
