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In July 2007, 33-year-old Joey Lynn Offutt disappeared from Sykesville, Pennsylvania. Days later, her home caught fire—investigators believe the blaze was intentionally set. In the aftermath, Joey’s infant son was found deceased in a bathtub inside the burned home. Joey was not there, and she has never been found.

In this episode, we lay out the known timeline, what investigators have said publicly, and the key unanswered questions that continue to fuel this disturbing Pennsylvania cold case.

If you have information about Joey Lynn Offutt:
Pennsylvania State Police (PSP Punxsutawney): 814-371-4652
Anonymous tip line: 1-800-4PA-TIPS (1-800-472-8477)

*This episode contains discussion of an infant death, arson, and a missing person case. Some details may be disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.

Sources used for this podcast can be found here

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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 Episode

• Who Kari Baker and Matt Baker were in the Hewitt/Waco community
• What happened the night Kari was found—and what raised red flags
• How the case evolved from suicide to a homicide investigation
• The prosecution’s theory, key evidence themes, and trial outcome
• Why this case remains a defining example of staged death investigations, coercive control, and intimate partner violence

Content Warning

This 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-minister

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JOIN THE HITCHED 2 HOMICIDE IN-LAWS AND OUTLAWS

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A “church lady” in small-town Georgia. A trusted daycare operator. A grieving wife and mother.

And five funerals.

In this episode of Hitched 2 Homicide, we dig into the chilling case of Janie Lou Gibbs—the Georgia serial killer who poisoned her own family with arsenic, including her husband, three sons, and an infant grandson, all while collecting money and playing the role of the devoted caretaker.

We’ll walk you through the timeline of deaths, the red flags that finally turned “bad luck” into a homicide investigation, and the courtroom twists—including an insanity plea that delayed justice for years.

If you think the most dangerous predator is always a stranger… this one will change your mind.

Listener Advisory: This episode includes discussion of child death and poisoning.

Janie Lou Gibbs, Georgia serial killer, Cordele Georgia, arsenic poisoning, black widow killer, family poisoner, true crime podcast, Crisp County, Gibbs v. State

Sources used for this podcast

Support the show

JOIN THE HITCHED 2 HOMICIDE IN-LAWS AND OUTLAWS

START KRIS CALVERT'S BOOKS TODAY FOR FREE

H2H WEBSITE
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H2H on INSTA