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Source: Durham Crimestoppers |
On January 22nd, 2010, authorities in Durham, North Carolina received a call about a burglary near Chandler Road and Ross Road. Officers arrived on the scene and went on pursuit of the suspected burglar into the nearby woods. While searching for the suspect, the officers stumbled upon something unexpected: the body of a young woman.
The deceased was later identified as 24-year-old Crystal 'Jersey' Baker. Her death was quickly declared a homicide, as she had been brutally beaten and stabbed. The autopsy report states that Crystal had not only suffered blunt force trauma to the head, but she also was "stabbed 21 times in the face, eight times in the back, three times in the abdomen and once each in the neck, in each thigh and above the right buttock."
There has been very little reporting on Crystal's life and/or the events leading up to her death. Some reports state that Crystal was last seen at Budget Inn on Holloway Street before she found deceased, but further details are unknown. Said Budget Inn is approximately 2 miles away from the area where her body was found.
According to court records, Crystal had a criminal record and had faced charges for drug paraphernalia possession and breaking and entering. She was sentenced to community service and probation for possession/use of drug paraphernalia in December 2009 - a month before she was killed. Authorities have not commented on whether or not they believe drugs played a role in Crystal's murder.
The violent nature of Crystal's death suggests that her killer(s) acted with extreme hatefulness. In addition to the blunt force trauma and the stabbings, Crystal also was found with lacerations around her genital area - though there was no further evidence of sexual assault. It was also noted that she was not wearing shoes and was only wearing one sock when she was found.
Several years have passed, and Crystal's homicide still remains unsolved. News about the investigation has been minimal, but the case is still classified as open. If you have any information that could lead to Crystal's murder being solved, please contact Durham authorities at 919-560-4118 or submit a tip online.
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Sources:
Durham Crimestoppers
Durham NC Gov
North Carolina DOC
WRAL, (2) (3)
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