The murders of Carol and Stephen Baxter, wealthy and well-respected residents of Mersea, Essex, shocked the community and captivated the public. The couple’s deaths in 2023 were initially shrouded in mystery, with no signs of forced entry or visible injuries on the bodies. As investigations unfolded, the case revealed a complex web of family dynamics, medical issues, and betrayal. The two-part documentary, The Essex Millionaire Murders, takes viewers deep into this chilling true-crime story, offering firsthand accounts from those closest to the investigation.
A Family Shattered by Tragedy
The events leading up to Carol and Stephen Baxter’s deaths began with their daughter, Ellena Baxter, discovering the bodies in their home. As she arrived to visit, Ellena found that her parents did not respond to her knocks, prompting her to look through the windows. It was then that she saw her parents’ lifeless bodies. The discovery was captured on the family’s home security cameras, which would later become a crucial piece of evidence in the investigation. The police bodycam footage shows Ellena’s initial shock, followed by the support of neighbors as the authorities began their investigation.
A Devoted Couple or a Hidden Tragedy?
Carol had been battling Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that significantly impacted her health. Stephen, her devoted husband, had taken on the role of her primary caregiver as her condition worsened. Despite their struggles, the couple appeared deeply devoted to one another. However, questions arose when Carol’s health continued to deteriorate. Had the overwhelming burden of caregiving pushed them to the brink, or could there have been something more sinister at play?
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The mystery deepened when toxicology reports revealed that both Carol and Stephen had died of overdoses of fentanyl, an opioid. The absence of any visible injuries or signs of struggle left investigators puzzled, but the results suggested foul play. As the investigation continued, the police discovered a crucial clue: a letter among Carol’s papers that appeared to alter her will, potentially giving control of the family business to Ellena and a close family friend, Luke D’Wit.
Unraveling the Truth
The investigation took a shocking turn when Ellena and D’Wit were both arrested. Police bodycam footage captures the tense moments of their arrest, with Ellena visibly distraught, while D’Wit remains eerily calm. Throughout the documentary, viewers witness firsthand interviews with both individuals. Ellena, still reeling from the shock of her parents’ deaths, insists on her innocence, while D’Wit maintains a composed demeanor as he faces questioning.
The police quickly ruled out Ellena’s involvement in her parents’ deaths. However, the focus shifted to Luke D’Wit, a family friend who had been closely involved with the Baxters for years. What followed was a chilling account of manipulation, betrayal, and psychological torment. As investigators pieced together D’Wit’s actions, it became clear that he had exploited the Baxters’ trust in him, ultimately leading to a tragic outcome.
The Depth of the Deception
What emerged from the investigation was more disturbing than anyone could have anticipated. D’Wit had been secretly manipulating Carol, exacerbating her illness and even controlling her medical treatment in a way that ensured her decline. Stephen, suspicious of D’Wit’s actions, had started to question his motives. D’Wit’s actions, however, appeared calculated to make him the beneficiary of Carol’s business and fortune.
Despite the severity of the case, the documentary takes a restrained approach, allowing the chilling details to speak for themselves. Through contemporary footage, including personal videos from Carol, interviews with those closest to the case, and police bodycam recordings, viewers are given an intimate and unsettling look at the events that led to the Baxters’ tragic deaths.
A Cold and Calculated Crime
D’Wit’s calm and collected demeanor during the investigation struck investigators as eerily unnatural. His behavior suggested that he was not only aware of the crime but possibly relishing in the chaos he had caused. The case took on an additional layer of complexity when it was revealed that D’Wit had even manipulated the legal proceedings, continuing to exert psychological control over the surviving family members.
The documentary ends with the sense that the true horror of this case lies not just in the murders themselves, but in the deep psychological manipulation that made them possible. In one detective’s words, D’Wit delivered “a final jolt of pain” to the family, even as the trial unfolded, leaving a lasting scar on everyone involved.
The Legacy of the Case
The Essex Millionaire Murders is a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of even the most seemingly ordinary lives. Through the lens of this chilling true-crime story, the documentary offers a sobering reflection on the vulnerability of those we trust most and the lengths to which some will go to exploit that trust.
As the investigation continues, the story of Carol and Stephen Baxter’s deaths remains one of the most tragic and disturbing in recent memory. The two-part documentary is a compelling, if harrowing, portrayal of a family torn apart by betrayal and a community left grappling with the fallout. Both parts of The Essex Millionaire Murders are currently available to stream on ITVX.
