The Tragic Murder of Kari Baker by Her Preacher Husband Matt Baker
Faith, for many, is a cornerstone of their lives—a beacon of hope in times of despair, a source of strength when the world feels too heavy. But, as the case of Kari and Matt Baker reveals, when faith is misplaced, it can become a dangerous force. A man of God, a trusted minister, Matt Baker was a figure in his community who many looked up to. Little did they know that behind his pastoral facade lay a darkness that would ultimately lead to the death of his wife, Kari Baker.
The Seemingly Perfect Life
In 2006, Matt Baker served as a Baptist minister at Crossroads Baptist Church in Hewitt, Texas. To the outside world, his life seemed picture-perfect. He had met his wife, Kari, at Baylor University in Waco, where they both studied. Their relationship blossomed quickly, and within just three months of meeting, they were married at Kari's parents' home. Matt pursued his calling, attending George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, and the couple soon had three daughters: Kensi, Kassidy, and Grace.
They appeared to be a happy, successful family—deeply involved in their church, beloved by their community, and raising their children in a home built on faith and love. However, tragedy struck in 1998 when their middle daughter, Kassidy, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Despite initial signs of improvement, Kassidy passed away in March of 1999. The loss of their daughter shattered Kari's world.
In her grief, Kari turned to counseling, her faith, and her surviving daughters for comfort. She often reflected on Kassidy in her Bible, holding onto her memories to keep going. But the emotional toll of her daughter’s death weighed heavily on her, and it would later become a key element in her untimely demise.
A Fateful Night
On the night of April 8, 2006, Matt Baker made a frantic 911 call. According to Matt, he had left the house around 11:10 p.m. to rent a movie and get gas for the car. When he returned home shortly after midnight, he found their bedroom door locked and no response from Kari when he knocked. Using a screwdriver to open the door, Matt claimed to have found Kari lying lifeless on their bed with an empty bottle of sleeping pills beside her and a suicide note.
The note read:
"Matt, I am so sorry. I am so tired. I just want to sleep for a while. Please forgive me. Tell Kensi and Grace that I love them very much. Please continue to be a great dad to our little girls. Love them every day for me. I am sorry. I love you. Kari."
Matt told the 911 operator that he attempted to revive Kari while dressing her, using one hand to perform CPR and the other to speak on the phone. But by the time the paramedics arrived, it was too late. Kari was pronounced dead, and the scene seemed to support Matt's story of a grieving mother who couldn’t bear the pain anymore.
Doubts Begin to Surface
Initially, Kari’s death was ruled a suicide, a conclusion that shocked her family but was plausible given her history of grief. However, Kari’s parents, Jim and Linda Dulin, couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Kari had struggled after Kassidy's death, but suicide seemed out of character for her. As they mourned their daughter, unsettling rumors began to circulate.
Linda Dulin’s suspicions grew when she learned from her sisters that Matt had a reputation for making inappropriate advances toward women, including members of his congregation. The family had remained silent about these incidents to avoid stirring trouble in the marriage, but now, in the wake of Kari’s death, these whispers couldn’t be ignored.
Linda decided to investigate further, starting with the family’s phone records. She was shocked to discover that in the weeks following Kari’s death, Matt had repeatedly called one number—over 180 times in total. The phone, as it turned out, had been given to a woman named Vanessa Bulls, a member of Matt’s congregation. Linda’s suspicions deepened as she began to piece together a more sinister story.
A Minister with Dark Secrets
With growing concerns, Linda Dulin sought help from Bill Johnston, a former assistant district attorney, and U.S. Marshall Mike McNamara. Together with Agent John Bennett, they launched their own investigation into Matt Baker. What they uncovered painted a far darker picture of the preacher than anyone had expected.
Matt had a long history of inappropriate behavior, dating back to his college years. His internet history revealed that he had not only visited adult websites but had also searched for methods to kill someone using sleeping pills. Most disturbingly, he had researched how to obtain the prescription sleep aid Ambien without a doctor’s prescription.
These findings raised serious doubts about the initial ruling of suicide. With enough evidence to suggest foul play, investigators pushed for an autopsy—three months after Kari’s death.
Autopsy Revelations
The results of the autopsy were revealing, if inconclusive. While it was too late to find medications in Kari’s blood, traces of sleeping pills were found in her muscle tissue. Notably, the autopsy revealed the presence of Ambien— a drug that Kari had never been prescribed.
Armed with this new evidence, authorities changed the cause of Kari’s death from suicide to "undetermined." The investigation intensified, and Matt’s relationship with Vanessa Bulls became a central focus. Although Vanessa initially claimed that she and Matt only started their relationship after Kari's death, investigators were skeptical. There were rumors that the two had been seen shopping for wedding rings just weeks after Kari’s passing—a strange move for a couple supposedly in the early stages of dating.
As investigators delved deeper, it became clear that Matt Baker was not the grieving husband he appeared to be.
A Startling Confession
The turning point in the case came when Vanessa Bulls was called to testify. In exchange for immunity, she revealed the shocking truth about Matt's actions. Vanessa confessed that during their affair, Matt had told her what really happened the night Kari died. In a chilling confession, Matt admitted to Vanessa that he had "killed [Kari] for her."
Matt described how he had emptied out several of Kari’s medication capsules and replaced them with Ambien. After Kari became drowsy, he helped her to bed, where he handcuffed her to ensure she couldn’t resist. As she drifted into unconsciousness, Matt kissed her forehead, told her to "give Kassidy a hug," and then smothered her with a pillow. He then staged the scene to look like a suicide, typing out the note found beside her.
Vanessa’s testimony blew the case wide open. Matt had not only planned Kari’s death meticulously but had also manipulated the scene to cover his tracks. Investigators also discovered that the suicide note found beside Kari’s body had been typed on Matt’s computer, further implicating him in the crime.
The Trial and Conviction
In 2009, after years of investigation and legal maneuvering, Matt Baker was arrested and charged with Kari’s murder. Despite his defense team's efforts to paint Kari as a depressed woman who took her own life, the evidence against Matt was overwhelming. Vanessa’s testimony, combined with Matt’s internet history and the autopsy results, left little doubt that Matt had orchestrated his wife’s death.
The trial was long and emotionally exhausting for Kari’s family. However, after seven hours of deliberation, the jury found Matt Baker guilty of murder. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison with the possibility of parole after 32 years.
A Lesson in Trust and Betrayal
The case of Kari Baker’s murder is a chilling reminder that evil can hide behind even the most trusted faces. Matt Baker, a preacher, a man of faith, used his position to manipulate and deceive those around him. Kari’s death was not the tragic result of grief but the calculated murder by a man who believed he could get away with it.
Today, Kari’s family continues to live on, raising her two daughters in a loving home. They have forgiven Matt, choosing not to hold onto the anger and pain his actions caused. Yet, they, like many others, are left with the haunting realization that the man they trusted was capable of unimaginable cruelty.
Faith can be a powerful source of strength, but as this case proves, it can also be dangerous when placed in the wrong hands.
