Image source, Facebook Image caption,

Stephen and Carol Baxter's local yacht club said the couple would be "much missed"

By Mariam Issimdar

BBC News, Essex

A man has been charged with murdering a married couple found dead at their seaside home, Essex Police said.

The bodies of Stephen Baxter, 61, and Carol Baxter, 64, were discovered at the property on Victory Road, West Mersea, near Colchester, on 9 April.

Luke D'Wit, 33, of Churchfields, West Mersea, has been charged with murder, possession of a Class A drug, and theft.

He is due to appear before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

Police said two other people arrested in connection with the incident, a man and a woman, have been released on bail.

Det Insp Lydia George, said: "This is a significant development in our investigation as we piece together the circumstances around the deaths of Carol and Stephen."

Image source, Peter Walker/BBC Image caption,

A family member found the pair deceased at their home in West Mersea

The couple's deaths were initially treated as "unexpected and not suspicious" but the force said it had changed direction after an "extensive investigation and toxicology analysis" conducted as part of during a post-mortem examination.