Barnes and linebacker Ray Lewis, who later won two Super Bowls with the Baltimore Ravens, were teammates and roommates at the University of Miami.
After a thorough search of the rest of the apartment, police found the beaten and broken, yet alive, body of Barnes’ longtime friend, Timwanika Lumpkins, pinned between the bed and the wall.
[3][4] After seventeen days of investigation, it was concluded that Lumpkins’ ex-boyfriend Labrant Dennis had entered the apartment after slashing the tires on Little's car.
[6] In December 1996, the University of Miami agreed to a financial settlement with the families of Barnes and Lumpkins due to the murders having occurred in an on-campus apartment.
[9][10] The Hulu documentary series Death in the Dorms, in a 2024 episode titled "Marlin Barnes" (S2; E3), covered the case and contains numerous interviews with family and friends of the victims.