Utah woman pleads guilty to manslaughter after fatally shooting friend

A Utah woman charged with murdering her friend as part of a failed suicide pact earlier this year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter, authorities confirmed.

Heavenly Faith Garfield pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a second-degree felony, on Tuesday, September 24, and will be sentenced on November 6, Utah Assistant District Attorney Timothy L. Taylor said in an emailed statement to PEOPLE on Friday, September 24, 27. She faces up to 15 years in prison, according to the statement.

Garfield was arrested in April and charged with murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm after the shooting of her 21-year-old friend, identified by the family in a GoFundMe campaign and obituary as Brooklyn Michelle Barrett.

On April 30, Garfield’s father called 911 to report the shooting. Authorities said his daughter shot the victim at a home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, according to a probable cause affidavit cited by KUTV, the Associated Press and CBS News.

Officers who responded to the scene said the victim had a gunshot wound to the head, her body was covered with a blanket and there were flowers on a bed, Court TV reported.

“Investigators determined that Garfield and [her] His friend had made a suicide pact and Garfield admitted to shooting [her] Friend in mind,” Taylor said in the statement to PEOPLE. “After the shooting [her] Friend, Garfield didn’t keep the suicide pact.

According to the affidavit, the friends allegedly discussed the suicide pact for several weeks, family members said, the AP reported. The affidavit says a friend of the victim showed police text messages in which she said she wanted to die but was too scared to kill herself. According to the AP, the friend also confirmed to police Garfield’s suicide pact with the victim.

As part of her plea, Taylor said Garfield admitted the following facts: “On or about April 30, 2024, I knew in Utah County, Utah [friend] She planned to end her life by suicide, and I helped with that [friend] Commit suicide.”

Barrett was remembered as a “vibrant and promising young woman” in the GoFundMe campaign to support her parents after their deaths.

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“Her unexpected departure has left her loved ones grappling with the immense pain and burden, choosing instead to focus on honoring her memory and celebrating the beautiful life she led,” the fundraiser continued.

According to her obituary, Barrett graduated from Herriman High School in 2021 and worked at a day care center before her death. She also enjoyed traveling and spending time outdoors, the obituary said.

Taylor said the victim’s family “supported the resolution.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or going to 988lifeline.org .