John Lindon Farmer, a 22-year-old Caucasian male, was found deceased on June 24, 2021, in a wooded area in Shelton, Washington. His death was determined to be a homicide. The investigation into his death led police to identify a person of interest who was later named as the primary suspect.
Authorities responded to a call about a body discovered in the woods near Kneeland Park on Turner Avenue. Upon arrival, they found Farmer with significant trauma.
An investigation was launched, and it was determined that he had died from blunt force trauma to the head, with injuries also present on his hands, wrists, and knees. Initial reports varied, with some suggesting the death was due to gun violence, while court documents later indicated the weapons used were a baseball bat and/or a machete.
The focus of the investigation quickly turned to Kyle Alexander Baker, a 24-year-old man who was known to be staying at a nearby campsite. Witnesses reported hearing strange behavior from Baker on the night of Farmer's death. One individual specifically implicated Baker in the killing. Authorities publicly identified Baker as a person of interest and subsequently as the prime suspect in Farmer's murder. Information was circulated that Baker was homeless and might have fled to the West Olympia area.
Following a tip that he was in a homeless camp in Thurston County, law enforcement located and arrested Baker in Lacey in early July 2021. He was taken into custody without incident and turned over to the Shelton Police Department. Baker was charged with premeditated first-degree murder in connection with the death of John Lindon Farmer. Bail was set at $1 million.
