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Hitched 2 HomicideAuthor: Kris Calvert and Rob Pottorf Language: en-us Genres: Comedy, True Crime Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Kari Baker: Murder or Suicide? –– The "Murdering Minister" Case
Episode 288
Tuesday, 20 January, 2026
Send Kris and Rob a Text Message!In April 2006, Kari Baker—a 31-year-old teacher and mother of two—was found dead inside her home in Hewitt, Texas, just outside Waco. The scene was initially treated as a suicide. But almost immediately, questions surfaced: the timeline, the circumstances, and whether what looked like self-harm was actually a staged scene meant to conceal a homicide.In this episode, we unpack the full true crime story of Kari Baker’s death and the investigation that ultimately led to the conviction of her husband, Matt Baker, a Baptist minister whose public image didn’t match what prosecutors later argued was happening behind closed doors. We walk through the murder-or-suicide debate, the turning points that shifted the case from suspicion to charges, and the courtroom narrative that ended with a murder conviction and a 65-year sentence.In This EpisodeWho Kari Baker and Matt Baker were in the Hewitt/Waco communityWhat happened the night Kari was found—and what raised red flagsHow the case evolved from suicide to a homicide investigationThe prosecution’s theory, key evidence themes, and trial outcomeWhy this case remains a defining example of staged death investigations, coercive control, and intimate partner violenceContent WarningThis episode includes discussion of domestic violence, coercive control, and homicide. Listener discretion is advised.If you or someone you know needs help: National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.) 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.Kari Baker, Matt Baker, Hewitt Texas murder, Waco Texas true crime, Kari Baker case, murder or suicide, staged suicide, minister convicted of murder, Texas true crime podcast, domestic violence true crime, coercive control, McLennan County, 2006 Texas murder, ABC 20/20 Kari Baker, 48 Hours Matt Baker.Subscribe for more victim-focused, timeline-driven true crime with clear case context and respectful reporting.Sources used for this podcast: https://www.hitched2homicide.com/post/kari-baker-murdering-ministerSupport the showJOIN THE HITCHED 2 HOMICIDE IN-LAWS AND OUTLAWSSTART KRIS CALVERT'S BOOKS TODAY FOR FREEH2H WEBSITEH2H on TWITTERH2H on INSTA
