Did Luke D’Wit, the killer of fentanyl, also murder his father and grandfather? Police investigate their deaths after the 34-year-old was convicted of poisoning a married couple in their £1m home.

Detectives are currently investigating whether Luke D’Wit, a convicted murderer who poisoned a married millionaire couple with fentanyl, may have also killed his own father and grandfather and avoided detection for these crimes. D’Wit, 34, was imprisoned in March for life with a minimum of 37 years after using the strong synthetic opioid to fatally poison Stephen and Carol Baxter in Essex. He had manipulated their will to make himself a director of their company, Cazsplash. Now, Essex Police is reviewing the deaths of D’Wit’s father and grandfather, both of whom had connections to fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid that is about 100 times stronger than morphine. Detectives are looking into whether D’Wit may have also been responsible for the death of his father, Vernon, who had been prescribed fentanyl before being found dead at home in 2021. Investigators are also examining the death of D’Wit’s grandfather as part of this review. Bodycam footage from an interview with D’Wit shows him providing statements to police in Mersea, where he befriended and worked for the Baxters before their murders.

D’Wit’s criminal actions involved befriending and working for the couple before poisoning them with fentanyl. He altered their will to benefit himself and created fake personas to manipulate them into trusting him. These actions ultimately led to the death of the Baxters. D’Wit was found guilty by unanimous verdicts at Chelmsford Crown Court and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 37 years. The judge did not classify D’Wit’s behavior as sadistic but noted that the desire to exert control over others could have motivated him to commit these crimes.

During the trial, the prosecution asserted that D’Wit had extracted fentanyl from patches prescribed to his father, crushed them into a powder, and administered the drug to the Baxters under the guise of health drinks. The judge stated that D’Wit may have wanted to exert control over others by deciding who lives and who dies. Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby described D’Wit as one of the most dangerous individuals he had encountered in his career, expressing certainty that he would have killed more people if not apprehended. D’Wit’s defense was based on fictitious claims of collusion between himself and Stephen Baxter, which the jury saw through, resulting in his conviction.

Overall, the investigation into Luke D’Wit’s potential involvement in the deaths of his father and grandfather adds a new layer to an already complex and disturbing case. The use of fentanyl as a murder weapon, along with the manipulation tactics employed by D’Wit, paints a chilling picture of his capacity for harm. The ongoing efforts of detectives to uncover the truth and seek justice for all victims involved demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that D’Wit faces accountability for his actions. As this case continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of betrayal, manipulation, and abuse of trust.