Daniel L. Bakker, a 69-year-old man from McHenry, Illinois, was found dead in his home on September 17, 2015. The cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head. His son, Michael Bakker, was arrested in connection with the murder. Michael Bakker, 49, was taken into custody at a hotel in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the day after his father's body was discovered.
At the time of his arrest, Michael had his father's cell phone and had been using it to send text messages to family members, pretending to be his father and claiming to be ill.
Michael Bakker was sentenced to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder. He admitted to shooting his father in the back of the head while he was sitting on the couch in their home. The motive for the murder was not clearly established, but it was noted that Michael and his father had a strained relationship. Michael had a history of mental health issues and had attempted suicide in the past.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Michael had been answering his father's phone and telling callers that his father was undergoing medical treatments. He also sent out text messages pretending to be his father. Michael's sister, Deborah Petska, found their father's body and called the police. She described her father as a hard-working and dedicated family man who often helped Michael and his wife. She expressed her anger and sadness over her brother's actions, stating that he had committed the most selfish act of all.
Michael Bakker had a criminal history, including a previous prison escape in the 1990s. He had been sentenced to six years in prison for possession of a stolen license plate and had escaped from a prison farm at Stateville Correctional Center. During the escape, he led police on a high-speed chase and was eventually shot in the back by a state SWAT team member after raising a replica handgun at officers. He served eight years in prison for the escape.
