An IT worker who poisoned a couple with fentanyl, monitored their deaths with his cellphone, and manipulated their will has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 37 years.

Luke D’Wit, 34, from West Mersea, was sentenced two days after being convicted of murdering Stephen and Carol Baxter, aged 61 and 64, in April last year at their residence in West Mersea, 70 miles (113 kilometres) east of London. The couple was discovered dead in their armchairs by their daughter, Ellie, on Easter Sunday.

In a 999 call, D’Wit calmly identified himself as a “friend” to the family and provided a false narrative. Initially considered a witness, toxicology reports revealed fentanyl in the couple’s system, with D’Wit confirmed as the last individual to have seen them alive.

During the six-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, jurors heard that D’Wit had used various personas since 2021 to deceive the couple. Among these, he posed as a doctor from Florida and a member of a fictitious support group for Hashimoto’s disease, a condition Carol Baxter suffered from. Using the alias Dr Andrea Bowden, he sent manipulative messages, including medically unfounded advice like urging Mrs Baxter to reduce her time with loved ones.

He used a “mobile security surveillance application” to access a camera in the Baxters’ conservatory. He witnessed the couple’s final moments as they were incapacitated by the drugs he had administered himself and ultimately succumbed to them.

Following the murders, D’Wit fabricated a fake will on his phone, appointing himself as a director of the couple’s shower mat company. 

According to prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC, D’Wit had been administering drugs to Mrs Baxter before her death. This resulted in symptoms resembling dementia or a stroke. Ayling also mentioned a prior incident where D’Wit attempted to harm Mrs Baxter by giving her a pill containing a tack, which led to her hospitalisation.

Upon his arrest at his workplace, D’Wit was found in possession of fentanyl patches, both opened and unopened. He claimed that they were remnants from his father’s passing in 2021. 

The sentencing judge, Justice Nicholas Lavender, was certain that the fentanyl patches were crushed into a powder and given to the Baxters through a drink. They ingested these drinks as they trusted D’Wit to prepare what they believed were “health drinks.”

Family statement 

Reading her victim impact statement, Ellie Baxter described D’Wit as a “man so manipulative he hacked his way into our lives over a decade ago, schemed and thoroughly planned my parents’ demise.”

According to her account, D’Wit initially joined the shower mat business around 2012 or 2013 to assist in constructing the website. Over time, he began visiting their residence daily.

She mentioned that her parents had “taken care of Luke,” explaining, “They just decided he was lonely, especially after Luke’s dad died. They took him under their wing and would let him join in.” 

As time passed, Miss Baxter revealed that her parents grew “irritated” by D’Wit’s frequent presence at their home in the months preceding their deaths. They perceived the computer science graduate as “nerdy weird.”

“I have never known an emotional pain to physically hurt so much. It was like my insides were on fire. I screamed and I screamed,” she said, describing the moment she found them dead at their home.

Hire the help for safety 

The tragic events surrounding this case serve as a poignant reminder to remain vigilant and attentive to the well-being of our loved ones. In situations where we cannot always be physically present, it’s crucial to explore alternative measures to ensure their safety and security.  

Consider the assistance of reputable security firms like Marengo for an added layer of protection and peace of mind. Apart from installing security tools in the residence, they can provide security personnel to keep our loved ones safe from malicious actors.