A man has been accused of murdering a wealthy couple in Essex. The bodies of Stephen and Carol Baxter were discovered on April 9th on Mersea Island near Colchester.
Luke D'Wit, a 33-year-old resident of Churchfields, West Mersea, Colchester, has been charged with two counts of murder, possession of a Class A drug, and theft. He is scheduled to appear in Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Saturday, according to Essex Police.
Detective Inspector Lydia George stated, "This is a significant development in our investigation as we piece together the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Carol and Stephen." Essex Police confirmed that a woman and a man have been released on bail in connection with the case.
Emergency services were initially called to the couple's residence on April 9th, and their deaths were initially considered unexpected and non-suspicious.
However, toxicology analysis led to further inquiries. During an inquest, the couple's daughter, who was present with her one-year-old child, discovered her parents' bodies and suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.
She immediately opened the bi-fold doors to ventilate the property.
It was revealed this week that a provisional cause of death for Mrs. Baxter, 64, was determined to be a combination of fentanyl and promethazine toxicity with terminal bronchopneumonia.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is much stronger than morphine. It is used both medically and illicitly, often as a substitute for heroin.
In the same inquest, the provisional cause of death for Mr. Baxter, 61, was listed as cardiomegaly and alcoholic liver disease with fentanyl intoxication.
The couple founded Cazsplash in 2012, a company specializing in the sale of corner and curved shower mats.
Mrs. Baxter had been running the business since its establishment and had previously worked in adult education, while Mr. Baxter was employed by a real estate firm.
Both were active members of the West Mersea Yacht Club, which lowered its flag to half-mast as a gesture of respect following their deaths. The news came as a shock to the local community, with Mersea resident John Akker describing it as "very sad news" to the Gazette.
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