Man in court over married couple murders in Essex

A man has appeared in court charged with the murders of a husband and wife who were found dead at their home.

Luke D'Wit, 33, is accused of killing Stephen Baxter, 61, and 64-year-old Carol Baxter, whose bodies were discovered at a property in Mersea Island in Essex on April 9.

The couple were directors of Cazsplash, a firm which produces shower mats and bathroom accessories.

Essex Police said officers were called to the address in Victory Road by the ambulance service, with the Baxters' deaths initially treated as unexpected and not suspicious.

However, as a result of an investigation and toxicology analysis, two men and a woman were arrested on July 6, the force said.

D'Wit, of Churchfields, West Mersea, Colchester, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday.

The bearded defendant, who has receding brown hair and wore a yellow and grey fleece, appeared by video-link from Chelmsford Prison.

He remained seated throughout the hearing and spoke only to confirm his name.

D'Wit is charged with two counts of murder, one count of possession of a Class A drug, and one count of theft.

He was not asked to enter pleas to the charges.

Michael Stradling, defending, said no application for bail was to be made at the hearing, prompting protestations from some people in the public gallery.

Judge Christopher Morgan, addressing the public gallery, said: "I know emotions run high in cases of this nature but please do not talk across the court towards others."

He asked one woman to leave the courtroom after she continued to talk.

A provisional trial date was set for February 12 2024, with a time estimate of three weeks and the venue to be confirmed at a later date.

D'Wit was remanded in custody, with a further hearing set for September 25 at the same court.

A woman and a man have been released on bail.