Teresa Baker, aged 61, was found dead on August 15, 2022, in her Melbourne, Florida home. The discovery was made during a well-being check requested by police in Pooler, Georgia. Teresa and her brother, Alford Baker, were both found deceased in the residence. The investigation quickly identified their nephew, James Green, as a person of interest. Green, 31, was apprehended in Georgia after exhibiting erratic behavior and being found in possession of a firearm.
He was also driving a vehicle registered to Alford Baker.
The investigation revealed that Green had entered the Bakers' home in the early hours of August 15 through a door left open for him. He reportedly spent several hours in the house before fatally shooting both Teresa and Alford while they were in their beds. The medical examiner confirmed that both victims had been shot multiple times. Green's behavior and statements to the police indicated a troubled state of mind, and he expressed a desire for the death penalty, believing it to be an "honorable" way to die.
James Green was charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The Brevard County Grand Jury later indicted him on these charges. Green's erratic behavior and the circumstances surrounding the murders have led to a complex investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies across state lines. The Melbourne Police Department, in collaboration with the sheriff's office, worked to extradite Green back to Brevard County to face trial.
Neighbors reported hearing frequent arguments and screaming from the Bakers' home, which added to the tragic context of the case. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather evidence and build their case against Green. The community remains shocked by the brutal nature of the crime and the loss of two of its members.
