The events of the Essex Millionaire Murders are back in the spotlight as a new documentary exploring the cruel plot has hit screens. The two-part series follows the story of married couple Carol and Stephen Baxter, who were poisoned and killed at their home in Mersea Island, Essex by Luke D’Wit.
How were Carol and Stephen Baxter murdered?
Carol and Stephen Baxter were murdered on 9 April 2023 after being poisoned with fentanyl. Their family friend Luke D’Wit had posed as a doctor and gain control of Carol’s medication, pretending to help her cure an autoimmune disease.
He also created a fake will in order to benefit financially from the couple’s deaths.
When the couple were found dead in their armchairs at home, there was no sign of injury, and the cause of death wasn’t found until weeks later after the results of a toxicology report.
It later transpired that D’Wit had administered a fatal dose of fentanyl to the couple and even set up a camera in their home to monitor their deaths. Upon his arrest, a number of fentanyl patches and metal tacks – similar to those found in Carol’s stomach – were found.
Where did Carol and Stephen Baxter live?
Carol and Stephen Baxter lived on Mersea Island in Essex, near to the city of Colchester. It is referred to as ‘one of the most beautiful coastal destinations in Essex’.
Was Carol and Stephen Baxter's daughter involved?
Carol and Stephen Baxter’s daughter Ellena was not involved in the couple’s death but was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and later released without charge.
Ellena – who was seven months pregnant when she found her parents’ bodies – says she hopes to finally ‘clear her name’ by appearing in the documentary after feeling like she has been ‘shunned’ from Mersea Island.
She told BBC News, ‘When I am in Mersea, if I go into the shops people look away from me. It's really horrible but these people who are speculating, they didn't go to the trial, they don't know the facts and it has been really difficult.’
Is Luke D’Wit in jail?
Luke D’Wit’s trial at Chelmsford Crown Court lasted almost six weeks with the jury unanimously finding D’Wit guilty of both murders. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 37 years, making it one of the most significant sentences ever secured after an Essex Police investigation.
Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said following the verdict, ‘Carol and Stephen Baxter's deaths were cold and calculated acts of murder carried out by a dangerous man who clearly planned to get away with it.
‘In all my years in policing, Luke D'Wit is one of the most dangerous men I have come across. I have absolutely no doubt that had he not been caught, he would have gone onto commit further murders.’
The Essex Millionaire Murders concludes Tuesday at 9pm on ITV1, both episodes are available to stream on ITVX
Samuel McManus is a senior content creator for Bauer Media, writing celebrity news and features across five of the company’s brands – heat, Closer, Grazia, Bella and Yours. Samuel has worked at Bauer Media since November 2024.