This is the story of the detective who managed to send one of the most dangerous murderers the county of Essex has ever seen behind bars for life. Detective Inspector Lydia George of Essex Police has led some of Essex’s most high-profile cases and helped put double fentanyl murderer Luke D'Wit in jail for murdering Stephen and Carol Baxter on Mersea Island.
With over two decades of experience, Lydia has had her fair share of complex murder inquiries. With every case, she is determined to secure justice for victims and their families. For her, this isn't just a job. Her passion, skills and dedication make her an "exceptional asset" for the police. Now, her work on the D'Wit case will be chronicled in a new ITV documentary, The Essex Millionaire Murders, airing on Monday (April 28) and Tuesday (April 29) at 9pm.
Lydia's path to becoming a detective began with an early fascination for crime-solving. Growing up, she remembers watching crime programmes and being in awe of detectives solving complex crimes. That passion led her to pursue a degree in social work and welfare studies before joining Essex Police in 2001.
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From her early days in uniformed response to becoming an accredited detective, Lydia steadily built her career. Over the years, she has worked in Domestic Abuse, Criminal Investigation Team (CID), Proactive Investigations, and Major Crime, eventually becoming a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) responsible for leading some of the county’s most serious cases.
Lydia said: "There is no such thing as a ‘typical day’ here. There is the genuine ‘unknown’ of what lies ahead and where I might be deployed across the county, day or night.”
The start of an investigation can be particularly demanding, from juggling witness interviews, identifying all suspects quickly, and managing risk all whilst reassuring the public. It's not just about solving crimes. It's also about making sure the people of Essex feel informed as well as safe and protected.
Leading the investigation into the 'chilling' double murder
One of Lydia’s most challenging cases was the investigation into the tragic deaths of Carol and Stephen Baxter. Initially, there was no clear evidence of third-party involvement. However, as Lydia and her team delved deeper, a disturbing web of manipulation and deceit was uncovered.
At the centre of the case was a supposed family friend who had embarked on a sinister campaign of grooming, gaslighting, and ultimately, poisoning. Through extensive digital forensic work, investigators discovered Luke D'Wit, who manipulated his way into the family's life, had posed as multiple fake personas, including a fictional doctor, to exert control over the Baxters couple.
Lydia describes this investigation like being on a rollercoaster, with many twists and turns. She said: "This investigation was particularly challenging because of the extensive digital evidence involved. Numerous digital devices contained a vast amount of material that needed careful examination by specialist officers. Their thorough review led to the discovery of key evidence, which secured a conviction.
"There were so many ‘breakthrough’ moments; from finding the suspect was posing as a fake American doctor, Dr Bowden and then other fake personas soon followed. The most chilling breakthrough was finding hidden images on the suspect’s phone, showing Carol and Stephen in their armchairs where they were later discovered. It became clear he had set up a recording device and watched them die.”
The investigation also uncovered an email sent by D'Wit on the morning of the couple’s deaths, detailing a "liver cleanse recipe" that explained how fentanyl had been covertly administered. Then, another major discovery. A fake will on D'Wit's device was a pivotal moment. It left little doubt about his calculated intentions.
The emotional toll of the job
Even with her years of experience, emotional aspects of the job can still leave a lasting impact and burdening the emotional toll of such cases requires resilience. Lydia said: "Watching video diaries filmed by Stephen Baxter, where he desperately tried to help his wife, was heartbreaking.
"Carol recorded herself for ‘Dr Bowden’, where she would speak from er heart with such sadness. Knowing that these were sent to the suspect for his own twisted pleasure only made me more determined to get justice for Stephen, Carol and their family.
"It can be incredibly stressful, dealing with high-risk cases and repeated exposure to serious crimes. I make sure to have quality downtime with family and friends and lean on the supportive team around me. Essex Police also have welfare support and advice readily available if myself or my team need it."
Lydia stated one of the most critical elements in any investigation is collaboration, transparency and building trust with the community. She continued: "We always work quickly and effectively as a team, collaborating across different departments to gather vital information. This teamwork led to the quick arrest of the suspect. By combining our unique skills, we achieve our goals together.
"Sharing updates and ensuring victims’ families are supported is vital. During the murder investigation of Carol and Stephen Baxter, the media played a key role in raising awareness about coercive control and the dangers of fentanyl poisoning.
"Essex residents were shocked to learn that a respected community member could commit such heinous acts. This case made people question their trust in those around them. It served as a stark reminder that manipulation and deception can happen in any social circle.”
The future of crime investigation
With the rise of digital forensics and online crime, Lydia sees policing evolving rapidly. She said: “We must continually upskill to stay ahead. Policing is continually evolving to meet the changing landscape of society. With the advances of digital forensics, social media platforms and emerging crime types online, it is essential that detectives are upskilled to ensure we continue to keep people safe and catch criminals.”
For those aspiring to become detectives, Lydia's advice is clear. She added: "This is one of the most rewarding careers in policing. If you’re passionate about justice, reach out to experienced detectives and explore the opportunities available."
'The Essex Millionaire Murders' will be shown on ITV on April 28 and 29 at 9pm.
