Taking the Mystery Out of Robin Baxter's Murder

There really was no mystery when Robin Lynn Baxter's body was pulled from the Ohio River in June of 1990, three days after she was reported missing on the 19th as to why she was murdered.  The autopsy would show Robin died from blunt trauma to the head.

The couple according to neighbors, friends and family told investigators the couple's relationship was volatile.

Chris Baxter was at times, violent and controlling. The couple were last seen together arguing.  Chris Baxter left a friends home the couple was visiting first, Robin followed behind.

When questioned by law enforcement the husband, Chris Baxter said he got up at 3 or 4am walked in the neighborhood to look for his wife and besides breaking glass to the back door of their home, that's all he recalled. By the way it's important to point out, Baxter claimed he'd blacked out during his second interview with investigators a few days later.  

Through the years, Chris Baxter's drinking increased and so did his boasting of her murder, but law enforcement who said Baxter was the sole person interest, never had enough to charge him. Until yesterday when New Albany, IN police arrested him for her murder 22 years ago. 

This case is an intimate partner homicide.  The pattern of conduct in 1990, of Chris Baxter that lead up to Robin's murder should have been investigated further.  A search warrant should have been obtained for the residence and Baxter's vehicles. But, at the time law enforcement did little else than question him.  The blunt weapon possibly used to kill her, a lead pipe. 

This tragedy is a prime example of thousands of similar cases across the country gone cold or still missing yet to be re-opened and properly investigated.

Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.

 A national trainer to law enforcement, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals, victim advocates and the faith based community and author.. In partnership with Management Resources Ltd. of New York addressing prevention and solutions within the community to the workplace. Host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show,"Time'sUp!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host onCrime Wire. Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writes providing commentary about the hottest topics on crime, justice, and law from a woman’s perspective, as well as Time's Up! a blog which searches for solutions (SOS) for victims of crime http://documenttheabuse.com/