The Murder of Jordan Baker
For this case, I watched an episode of Snapped. It’s season 27 episode 3.
A 26-year-old man living in a small Alaskan town is killed.
Background
Jordan Baker was born in 1987. He was raised in the Athabaskan tribe, and lived in the small town of Minto, Alaska, 130 miles from Fairbanks. Jordan was the oldest of four siblings, and was also close to his large extended family.
Shortly before his death, Jordan made the decision to fill out paperwork for school, as he enjoyed cooking. After his father died when he was 23, Jordan had been trying to find his passion. He found that in cooking. Jordan was described as creative, and outgoing.
Jordan Baker
The Crime Scene
On May 2, 2013, Jordan’s mom, Lori Baker, received a call from Jordan’s friend named Carleen Charlie. Carleen told Lori that Jordan had been stabbed at his cousin’s house, where he had been house-sitting.
Lori and her boyfriend rushed to the house, and found Jordan lying on the couch. There was no 911 service in Minto, so Lori’s boyfriend went out to find a health aid to help.
Lori tried to stop the bleeding until help arrived. She had to tell Carleen to leave because she was wailing and yelling for Jordan to be saved.
The health aid arrived, but it was clear that Jordan was dead. He had been stabbed 5 times in the chest and torso. Lori said she covered Jordan with a sheet, and kissed him goodbye.
The Alaska State troopers in Fairbanks, Alaska, were contacted.
The Investigation
When the investigators arrived, they walked into a bloody scene. There was blood on the light-colored couch that Jordan was on, as well as on the floor. There were also bloody footprints throughout the house.
Jordan had deep stab wounds, as well as defensive wounds to his forearms. It was clear to the investigators that Jordan most likely knew his killer. Plus, Minto is off the map, and many people would’ve noticed if a knife wielding stranger had come into town.
Investigator Henry Ching searched the yard for the murder weapon. He noticed a raven flying above. The raven then stopped in the yard, and left behind some blood. Near the blood that was left, was the murder weapon, a knife.
The investigators soon learned that Jordan had been with Carleen and another friend named Tylor, the night before he died. They went to speak with them.
The Conflicting Stories
The police went to speak to Carleen, who was covered in blood. Carleen told the police that she had found Jordan, and had tried to help him before calling Lori.
Carleen was photographed. She revealed that she and Jordan were supposed to end up together. Carleen said she loved him, and that they had a sexual relationship often fueled by alcohol.
Carleen said Jordan had made her dinner the night before, and they were hanging out until Tylor arrived. Tylor had brought alcohol, and they had gotten drunk. Carleen said she left for a bit because she had cut her finger, and had to get a bandaid.
Carleen said she went back about an hour later. While she was walking back she heard fighting, and saw a hooded figure, that she believed was Tylor leaving the house. When she went back inside, Jordan had been stabbed.
A bloody sweatshirt that Carleen had been wearing was also found outside in the yard. It was collected, and all her clothing was sent in for testing.
The police went to speak to Tylor, who was accompanied by his parents. Tylor denied bringing alcohol or even drinking that night. He said Jordan and Carleen had gotten drunk, and he left.
Tylor’s parents stopped the interview, and asked for a lawyer. The investigators had obtained a search warrant for Tylor’s home. Inside, they found blood, but it was revealed to be blood from a moose.
The police were confused about the conflicting stories, and believed Tylor or Carleen, or even both, were lying.
Carleen’s Behavior
While the police were searching Tylor’s home, they had received an urgent message that Carleen had tried to commit suicide.
At her cousin’s house, Carleen had grabbed a knife, and stabbed herself. Several family members were able to get the knife away from her. Carleen’s wounds were superficial, but she was airlifted to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
On May 3, the investigators spoke to Carleen. She denied killing Jordan, and once again said she loved him. In fact, she said they were in love, and supposed to end up together. Carleen said she tried to kill herself to be with Jordan again.
The case stalled for awhile until the testing came back on Carleen’s sweatshirt. The testing revealed that the blood on the sweatshirt was arterial spray, meaning Carleen was either the one who killed Jordan, or near Jordan when he was stabbed.
A few weeks later, Carleen was released from the hospital, and moved to her cousin’s house in Anchorage.
The Confession
On July 16, 2013, the investigators received a call from Carlene’s cousin. She revealed that she had been having a hard time consoling Carlene. Carlene told her almost everyday that she wanted to kill herself.
Carlene’s cousin said that Carlene had finally confessed to her that she killed Jordan. The investigators asked if she was willing to wear a wire, and she agreed.
The investigators went to Anchorage, and created a plan. Carlene’s cousin said that she was going to take Carlene on a walk, while the investigators waited and listened nearby.
On their walk, Carlene said she and Jordan had dinner, and had been drinking. Carlene revealed that Jordan had made her leave because he wanted to hangout with Tylor. Carlene said she became really angry, and grabbed a knife when she went to one of her relative’s.
Carlene said she was mad and drunk, and waited outside the cabin until Tylor left. Carlene said she went back inside, and fought with Jordan. She then stabbed him to death.
Carlene also revealed to her cousin that Jordan asked her, “why do you love me so much?”
Carlene Charlie was arrested for murder.
The Motive
The news of Carlene’s arrest spread through Minto. Many knew that Carlene was in love with Jordan, and believed that she killed him because she felt rejected.
Lori said that she knew Jordan had told her many times that they were just friends. Lori said she told Carlene that she needed to move on.
In March 2014, Carlene’s lawyers came up with a plea deal. Carlene would plead guilty to second degree murder. This really angered Jordan’s family.
In May 2015, Carlene was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Carlene spoke to Jordan’s family at the sentencing, and told Lori that the last thing Jordan asked for was her. Carlene seemed disgusted that he would have asked for his mom, and not her.
Carlene had made up a scenario in her head, and killed Jordan when he finally told her he didn't want to be with her.
Tylor was never charged and didn’t seem to have any involvement.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Two young lives were ruined once again. Jordan was 26, and finally knew what he wanted to do with his life. Carlene was only 24, but it seemed like she had issues. Carlene knew that Jordan was moving on to better things, and she wasn’t going to let that happen. Carlene also comforted Lori, and Jordan’s family after the murder, knowing the whole time that she had done it. Plus, she tried to blame an innocent person.
Sources
https://alaska-native-news.com/arrest-made-in-the-murder-case-of-minto-man-on-tuesday/8410/
