In a chilling case of murder and deception, Luke D’Wit, a 34-year-old IT worker, was found guilty of murdering millionaire parents Stephen and Carol Baxter by administering fatal doses of fentanyl into their drinks. D’Wit, who described himself as an “adopted son” to the Baxters, had been employed by them and had become so close to the family that he was trusted to the extent that he was called to the scene of their deaths by their daughter, Ellie.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times stronger than morphine, was used in the murder. It is a prescription drug used for severe chronic pain or breakthrough pain that fails to respond to regular painkillers, often prescribed for cancer patients. However, it has been adopted by the illegal drug market, where it is often added to heroin. A small dose can be deadly, leading to concerns about an epidemic of deaths among people who misuse it.
D’Wit’s methodical approach to the crime involved creating as many as 20 fake personas, including pretending to be a solicitor to convince the family members that the will he had written to benefit himself was real. He also used a fake voice to trick the couple’s daughter, Ellie, into believing he was a theatre producer named Jenny Trencher, helping her with her singing career. This manipulation was part of a broader scheme to control and deceive the Baxter family.
The Baxters were found dead in their conservatory, sitting in their individual armchairs, on Easter Sunday, April 9, last year. Initially, police assumed they had died from carbon monoxide poisoning, but tests revealed the presence of fentanyl in their systems, leading to a murder investigation. D’Wit was found to have packets of fentanyl at the nearby home he shared with his mother, who had died of cancer in 2021. The drug had been prescribed to his father, who had passed away.
D’Wit’s trial revealed his elaborate scheme to manipulate the Baxters, including creating false identities of doctors and support groups to influence their medical treatment and control over their company. He even went as far as to create a fictional liver function doctor to encourage the Baxters to start a two-week detox program. The prosecution argued that D’Wit had been preparing drinks for the Baxters, including their “final cup” on the day of their deaths, and had created more than 20 fake online personas to manipulate the family.
Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby warned that D’Wit had developed a taste for murder and was among the “most dangerous” people they had ever encountered. The detective believed D’Wit would have gone on to become a serial killer if he hadn’t been stopped. D’Wit was convicted unanimously by the jury after a five-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. The prosecution sought a minimum life term of 30 years or a whole life sentence for D’Wit, highlighting the calm, cool, and planned nature of the murders.
This case underscores the dangers of fentanyl and the lengths to which individuals may go to manipulate and deceive others for personal gain. It also highlights the importance of vigilance and the need for effective interventions to address the misuse of opioids and other synthetic drugs.
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