Man, 33, appears in court charged with murdering wealthy couple found dead by their daughter

A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with murdering a wealthy couple found dead with powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl in their bodies.

Luke D’Wit, 33, was remanded in custody accused of killing Stephen Baxter, 61, and wife Carol, 64.

They were found dead by daughter Ellie, 22, on Easter Sunday at home in West Mersea, Essex.

Police did not suspect foul play until tests revealed the fentanyl in their systems.

D’Wit, of West Mersea, was arrested on Thursday last week and charged on Saturday with two murders, possessing a Class A drug and theft.

He appeared in court via video link. No bail application was made.

A man and woman in their 20s arrested on Thursday and quizzed on suspicion of murder have been bailed, Chelmsford crown court was told.