Luke D’Wit has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 37 years for the murder of Stephen and Carol Baxter in Essex, after he poisoned the couple with fentanyl. The events leading to their death involved D’Wit’s elaborate manipulation, including secretly lacing their medication with the potent drug and rewriting their will to gain control of their business. Essex Police referred to D’Wit as “one of the most dangerous men” they have encountered, underscoring the risk of him committing more murders if not caught.

The trial brought to light D’Wit’s deceitful tactics, such as impersonating a doctor and creating false personas to establish trust with Mrs. Baxter. The investigation confirmed fentanyl as the cause of death for the Baxters, with the couple being found deceased in their own home. Their daughter, Ellie Baxter, shared the profound emotional trauma of discovering her parents and the subsequent realization of D’Wit’s betrayal, who had been trusted by the family.

In a separate case, Trevor Baker has pleaded guilty to the murder of his partner, Carolyn Kemp, who died in September 2022 from a brain injury sustained during an assault in 2009. Baker, already serving time for the attempted murder of Kemp, appeared via video link at the Old Bailey where he admitted to the murder charge. The court heard the long-term devastating effects of domestic violence, with Carolyn Kemp’s family present and emotional during the proceedings.

These cases highlight the grave consequences of manipulation and violence, leaving families to mourn and grapple with the actions of individuals who exploited and harmed their loved ones. The sentencing of Luke D’Wit and the anticipated sentencing of Trevor Baker stand as significant legal responses to these tragic events.