Barstow Man Convicted of 2015 Domestic Abuse Incident Arrested for Killing Girlfriend

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BARSTOW, Ca. – A 35-year-old Barstow man was arrested for the murder of his 49-year-old girlfriend, authorities said.

A 911 call was made at around 6:45 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 2019. The caller stated a man was at his door claiming that he killed his girlfriend. Deputies from the Barstow Station responded immediately to the 28000 block of Waterman Road in the City of Barstow. The deputies located Benjamin Justin Pate, of Barstow, and detained him at the scene. Following the detention of Mr. Pate, deputies went to a home nearby and located Andrea Foote in the bedroom deceased.

Authorities have not released her cause of death or any motive for the killing but in January 2015, Pate was convicted of Felony Domestic Abuse/Inflicting Corporal Injury on Spouse/Cohabitant. He was sentenced to 3 years at the California Department of Corrections Chino, with 22 days credited for time served (11 actual and 11 conduct credit).

Homicide Detectives responded to the home in order to assume the investigation. Pate was transported to the sheriff’s station where he was interviewed and subsequently booked for murder. He is being held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center.

The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is being released at this time. Updates will be issued as new information becomes available. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Mike Cleary, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.