Mom Allegedly Slit Throats of Husband, Son in Failed Suicide Pact — But Dad Tried to Claim Son with Disabilities Planned It

A Florida couple has been arrested after allegedly attempting to carry out a suicide pact involving themselves and their adult son, reportedly triggered by an impending eviction.

According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responding to a 911 call in Lehigh Acres on Nov. 3 discovered three people suffering from self-inflicted injuries in what appeared to be a failed group suicide attempt. All three survived.

Authorities identified the caller as 59-year-old Barbara Bates, who allegedly attacked her husband and son before injuring herself and calling for help about 40 minutes later. She now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder.

Two days after the incident, Neil Bates, Barbara’s husband, was also taken into custody, according to a probable cause statement obtained by news outlets.

During the investigation, the couple’s son — described by police as having “overt developmental disabilities” — told officers his parents said the suicide pact stemmed from fears of eviction. Barbara allegedly told investigators that she had chosen the dystopian horror film The Long Walk and a steak dinner for their “final family activity.”

As the movie played, Neil reportedly drank alcohol while their son took sleep medication. The family then went to a bedroom to carry out their plan, according to police documents. There, the son said Neil cut his wrist before Barbara allegedly slit Neil’s throat and then turned the knife on her son. The young man told police that after being injured, he panicked and tried to back out of the pact.

Barbara allegedly confessed to formulating the plan months earlier, saying she proposed the “group suicide” because of the family’s financial struggles, looming eviction, and health problems affecting both her husband and son.

Neil, however, reportedly claimed the suicide pact had been their son’s idea.

Court records show Barbara has been charged with two counts of attempted felony murder and one count of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult. Neil faces charges of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult and attempt of a criminal act.

Both have pleaded not guilty, according to online court filings. Their attorneys have not publicly commented on the case.