The shocking murders of Carol and Stephen Baxter
Some true crime stories stay with you because they could happen to anyone — random abductions in broad daylight, fatal hit-and-runs and serious assaults with no apparent motive. Even more harrowing are the crimes committed by the people we love. If we can't trust our friends and family, what do we have left?
This is exactly what happened to Carol and Stephen Baxter, who were cruelly murdered by their friend, Luke D'Wit, after a decade-long campaign of psychological and physical torture. Keep reading as the Crime+Investigation team takes a deep dive into the case.
Hiding in plain sight
There was no reason to suspect D'Wit had malicious intent when he first met Carol and Stephen. The couple had hired him around 2012 to help with the technical side of their successful shower mat business. Although a little odd, he worked hard, became a regular presence in the family’s life and was a known member of the community on Mersea Island, Essex.
According to Ellie Baxter, the couple’s daughter: '[My parents] just decided he was lonely… they took him under their wing and would let him join in.'
D'Wit didn’t seem particularly motivated by money. He volunteered at a soup kitchen and helped run the carnival in his spare time. He genuinely seemed to care about others, especially Carol and Stephen, who regarded him as 'almost like a son'.
However, this nice-guy persona was ultimately hiding a cold-blooded and green-eyed monster.
Mystery symptoms
Around 2020, Carol's health began to deteriorate. She was eventually diagnosed with a thyroid condition called Hashimoto's disease. Even more worryingly, she became forgetful and sluggish — her family thought she might have early onset dementia.
She hoped her luck would change when she was contacted by an American doctor called Andrea Bowden. Bowden specialised in Hashimoto's and had dozens of successful case studies to her name. Soon, Carol was invited to a private WhatsApp group, where members offered support and advice.
Despite Bowden’s care, Carol’s symptoms got worse. Ellie begged her mum to see a UK-based doctor, to no avail: 'I think mum got a bit desperate, and she got to a point where she would do anything to get better...Mum felt so alone and lost, and there was nothing I could do other than give her my shoulder to cry on.'
The murders
Ellie found her parents’ bodies on 9th April 2023 sitting in their favourite armchairs in the conservatory. Despite her mum’s illness, there were no warning signs. She later said in a victim statement: 'It was like my insides were on fire. I screamed, and I screamed.'
After calling 999, she contacted D’Wit, who came immediately to support his friend and the police in their investigation. It was soon determined that the couple had died several days prior in mysterious circumstances.
Caught in a web of lies
Despite his friendly demeanour, D'Wit soon became a suspect once the coroner ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning. Mainly because the police found a fake will naming him as the company director in the case of the couple's death. Confused, they seized his devices — and what they found was truly shocking.
D’Wit had created dozens of fake profiles in an intricate web of lies, including the infamous 'Andrea Bowden' who was in charge of Carol’s care. He even contacted Ellie pretending to be different patients to convince her of his authenticity.
The evidence was overwhelming and D’Wit was quickly arrested on suspicion of murder.
The arrest and sentencing
In court, the truth came to light. D’Wit had been manipulating the Baxter family for a decade, giving them dangerous medical advice and installing hidden cameras in their home. The ultimate goal? Financial gain. He wanted to seize their assets.
A toxicology report revealed that the couple had been poisoned with fentanyl. Reflecting on the case, Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby said to the press: 'There was no bloody murder scene. There was no obvious murder weapon. But Carol and Stephen Baxter’s deaths were cold and calculated acts of murder carried out by a dangerous man who clearly planned to get away with it.'
Due to the callousness and pre-meditated nature of the murders, the judge sentenced D’Wit to a minimum term of 37 years.
Like so many other shocking crimes, this case raises important questions about who we can trust. Carol and Stephen’s only mistake was their boundless kindness — it ultimately cost them their lives.
Addicted to true crime? Stay in the loop with our Crime+Investigation newsletter. We’ll send you the latest news stories and shows straight to your inbox — delivered weekly and completely for free.
