In the summer of 2015, the community of Germantown, a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, was shaken by a tragic act of domestic violence that claimed the life of Karri Baker. A 38-year-old White / Caucasian woman, Baker died on July 31, 2015, from injuries she sustained in an incident at her residence on Elm Leaf Drive. She was discovered with a gunshot wound and rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, but she ultimately succumbed to her injuries the next night.
Also found at the
scene was 36-year-old Matthew Bashaw, who was deceased upon the arrival of authorities. Bashaw had also suffered a gunshot wound, and a semiautomatic pistol was located under his leg. The investigation into the two deaths concluded that the incident was a murder-suicide. It was reported that Bashaw, who was Baker's ex-boyfriend, shot her in the head before taking his own life. The couple had recently ended their relationship and were in the process of moving out of the home they had shared.
As the perpetrator died at the scene, no arrests were made in connection with Karri Baker's death. Remembered as an adventurous and outgoing individual, Baker was a sales representative for Curtis Stout and an active participant in her church community at Kirby Woods Baptist Church. She left behind a daughter from a previous marriage. The tragic event highlighted the devastating consequences of domestic violence and prompted local leaders to advocate for greater awareness and resources to combat such issues within the greater Memphis area.
