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 poisoning them with fentanyl in a shocking betrayal of trust.
Luke D’Wit, an IT worker, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 37 years for the murder of Stephen and Carol Baxter, a married couple residing in Essex, UK. The verdict was delivered after D’Wit was found guilty of poisoning the couple with fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid. The crime has deeply shocked the community, especially given D’Wit’s calculated manipulation and betrayal of the Baxter family’s trust.
D’Wit had been intricately woven into the Baxter family’s life, initially hired by Stephen Baxter for IT work. Over time, he crafted a series of elaborate deceptions, including posing as a doctor, solicitor, and theatre producer, to gain control over their personal and professional lives. His long-term plot involved altering their will to appoint himself as a director of their shower mat company, culminating in the administration of lethal doses of fentanyl.
The couple was found deceased in their home by their daughter on Easter Sunday of the preceding year, marking a tragic end to D’Wit’s years-long scheme. The case, heard at Chelmsford Crown Court, unveiled D’Wit’s extensive manipulation tactics, which included creating fake online identities and secretly surveiling the couple. The prosecution described how he induced symptoms in Mrs. Baxter that mimicked dementia or stroke, further highlighting his malicious intent to deceive and control.
During the sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Nicholas Lavender remarked on D’Wit’s desire to exercise control over others, branding his actions as the ultimate display of power. Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby and Detective Inspector Lydia George both underscored the danger D’Wit posed, with Kirby labeling him as one of the most perilous individuals he had encountered.
The conviction of Luke D’Wit brings a close to a harrowing chapter for the Baxter family, though the profound betrayal and loss they have suffered continue to resonate. The case has also raised awareness regarding the potential dangers of online manipulation and deceit.
