The homicide of Sanders Baccus, a 71-year-old Dayton resident, remained unsolved for nearly three decades before a confession brought closure to the case. On January 18, 1987, Sanders Baccus was found dead in his home on Lakeview Avenue by one of his daughters. He had been beaten to death, with clear signs of violence indicating a brutal attack. The crime scene was unsettling for the family, and despite efforts by investigators, the case remained cold for many years.
In November 2015, Linda Baccus, one of Sanders Baccus' daughters, made a shocking confession to her pastor, admitting that she had killed her father back in 1987. Linda and her pastor subsequently went to the authorities to report her involvement in the crime. Following this confession, she was charged and ultimately found guilty of one count of involuntary manslaughter. During the trial, Linda Baccus acknowledged her responsibility for the death of her father, but details regarding the motive for the crime remained somewhat unclear, partly due to the time that had passed since the incident.
In May 2017, Linda Baccus, who was 62 years old at the time, was sentenced to five years in prison for her father’s death. She waived her right to appeal and was not eligible for early release. The prosecution and defense did not elaborate extensively on the circumstances leading to the crime, suggesting that the complexities of family dynamics may have played a role. This confession brought closure to a case that had long troubled the Baccus family and the local community of Dayton, where Sanders Baccus had been known as a respected local grocer and business owner.
