The tragic story of the murders of Carol and Stephen Baxter, a couple from West Mersea, Essex, is set to be explored in a gripping two-part documentary titled "The Essex Millionaire Murders." The documentary will air on ITV1 on April 28 and 29, 2025, and will delve into the chilling details of how their family friend, Luke D'Wit, used manipulation and deceit to carry out the heinous crime.
On Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, the Baxters were found dead in their home by their daughter, Ellena Baxter. Initially, their deaths were treated as unexplained, but toxicology reports later revealed both had fatal levels of fentanyl, an opioid painkiller, in their systems. D'Wit, who was 35 at the time of the murders, was subsequently arrested and charged with their deaths.
The investigation into the Baxters' deaths was described by Essex Police as one of the most complex ever undertaken by the force. D'Wit had been introduced to the couple around 2012 or 2013 through his work as a freelance web designer for Carol Baxter's shower mat business, Cazsplash. Over time, D'Wit ingratiated himself into the Baxters' lives, eventually assuming a role that allowed him to control their medication and health decisions.
During the trial, it was revealed that D'Wit had created a fake persona, posing as a doctor named Andrea Bowden, who provided Carol with dubious medical advice regarding her thyroid condition, Hashimoto's disease. This manipulation extended to creating a web of false identities, with D'Wit ultimately using these personas to isolate and control the couple.
Ellena Baxter, who described D'Wit as "nerdy weird," was shocked to discover the extent of his deceit. She recounted how her parents had come to trust D'Wit, believing he was genuinely helping them. "He was always there," she recalled, highlighting how D'Wit had woven himself into the fabric of their daily lives.
On the morning of their deaths, D'Wit sent an email to the couple detailing a "liver cleanse recipe," which was a cover for the fatal dose of fentanyl he had administered. He had set up a camera in their home to monitor their demise, watching as they succumbed to the effects of the poison he had secretly introduced into their lives.
Following a six-week trial that began on February 14, 2024, D'Wit was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 37 years. The Honourable Mr. Justice Lavender, who presided over the case, emphasized D'Wit's desire for control, stating, "Deciding whether another person lives or dies is the ultimate form of control." The judge also criticized D'Wit's "amateurish" attempt to create a will that named him as the director of Cazsplash, suggesting it was more of an afterthought rather than a primary motivation for the murders.
In addition to the charges related to the Baxters, police were also reviewing the deaths of D'Wit's father and grandfather, suspecting he may have been involved in their deaths as well. A search of D'Wit's home uncovered a number of fentanyl patches, which he claimed belonged to his late father, alongside metal tacks that were later found in Carol Baxter's stomach.
In the aftermath of the trial, Detective Inspector Lydia George, who led the investigation, described D'Wit as a "pathological liar" who thrived on the control he exerted over the Baxters. The documentary will feature interviews with police officers involved in the case, including George, as well as footage from emergency service body cams and CCTV, providing viewers with a comprehensive look at the investigation.
As the documentary airs, viewers can expect to see not only the events leading up to the murders but also the emotional toll it took on Ellena Baxter, who found herself at the center of the tragedy. D'Wit, in a final act of manipulation, even took Ellena out for dinner on the night he murdered her parents and later arranged their funeral, all while maintaining the façade of a caring friend.
The Essex Millionaire Murders promises to be a harrowing exploration of trust, betrayal, and the lengths to which a person can go to exert control over others. It serves as a chilling reminder of the dark side of human nature, where the line between friendship and malevolence can be dangerously blurred.
As the documentary unfolds, it will shed light on the complexities of the investigation and the emotional struggles faced by the Baxter family. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of West Mersea, where D'Wit was once seen as a pillar of society. Now, he is remembered as a murderer who exploited the trust of those closest to him.
Viewers are encouraged to tune in to ITV1 at 9pm on both nights to witness the unraveling of this tragic story and the efforts made by Essex Police to bring justice to Carol and Stephen Baxter and their grieving family.
