Man charged with murder of Stephen and Carol Baxter on Mersea Island

Stephen and Carol Baxter were found unresponsive by a family member in their home in Victory Road, West Mersea, on Easter Sunday.

Police officers were called to their home by the ambulance service but sadly they were pronounced dead at the scene.

Their deaths were initially treated as unexpected but not suspicious, but on Thursday an inquest at Essex Coroner’s Court in Chelmsford was told they had the drug fentanyl in their systems.

Scene - a thorough forensic investigation was completed (Image: Essex Police)

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid which is similar to morphine but up to 100 times more potent.

It is a prescription drug which is also made and used illegally.

A post-mortem examination was carried out at Broomfield Hospital which gave a provisional cause of death for Mrs Baxter, 64, as combined fentanyl and promethazine toxicity with terminal bronchopneumonia.

The provisional cause of death for Mr Baxter, 61, was delivered as cardiomegaly and alcoholic liver disease with fentanyl intoxication.

After an extensive investigation and toxicology analysis, two men and a woman were arrested on Thursday.

Essex Police has now charged Luke D’Wit, of Churchfields, West Mersea, with two counts of murder, one count of possession of a class A drug, and one count of theft.

The 33-year-old is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.

A force spokesperson confirmed the other man and woman have been released on bail while detectives continue their inquiries.

Det Insp Lydia George, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is a significant development in our investigation as we piece together the circumstances around the deaths of Carol and Stephen.

“I would like to thank everyone who has come forward to speak to us throughout this complex investigation.”