A high-profile Essex Police murder investigation will be the subject of a new prime-time documentary series airing on ITV next week.
The Essex Millionaire Murders tells the harrowing story of Carol and Stephen Baxter’s deaths on 9 April 2023, at their home in West Mersea. The case, described as one of Essex Police’s most complex investigations, culminated in the conviction of their trusted family friend, Luke D’Wit.
The two-part documentary, produced by Candour Productions, will air on ITV1:
- Part 1: Monday 28 April at 9pm
- Part 2: Tuesday 29 April at 9pm
The series features exclusive interviews with four Essex Police officers, including Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Lydia George, who led the inquiry. Also interviewed are DC Kerry Turner, the case’s Communications and Family Liaison Officer, DC Emily Larkin, who oversaw the medical evidence, and DC Reuben Brame, responsible for the digital forensic review.
The investigation revealed how D’Wit groomed and manipulated the Baxter family over several years, creating fake personas, including posing as a doctor. Under the guise of a “liver cleanse,” he poisoned Carol and Stephen with fentanyl, leading to their tragic deaths in their armchairs — discovered by their daughter, Ellena, who also shares her story in the programme.
Luke D’Wit was sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2024, with a minimum term of 37 years. It was one of the most significant sentences secured in an Essex Police investigation.
Following D’Wit’s conviction, DI George stated:
“Carol and Stephen were loving, generous people who had so much more life to live. Luke D’Wit took that away. He manipulated, deceived, and ultimately destroyed a family who trusted him. The significant sentence handed down reflects the danger he posed to those around him.”
The documentary also highlights wider issues around the abuse of older adults. Essex Police has partnered with Hourglass, the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting older victims of abuse, to raise awareness following the case.
The force urges the public to recognise the signs of elder abuse and to understand that it can affect anyone, regardless of age or background.
