CAMERON, Mo. — A 26-year-old mother, who police believe was shot by her husband, was found dead Wednesday morning in Cameron, Mo.
According to court documents, police were dispatched to 905 West Prairie Street, apt #C, shortly before 1 a.m. after receiving reports of an emergency involving a domestic disturbance.
When officers arrived, they encountered Adam J. Baker, 27, who was standing out in front of the apartment building at that location. At that time, Baker informed officers that he had “laid the gun down” and when police asked where the victim was, Baker escorted them inside of his residence. An officer located the body of a woman, later identified as the suspect’s wife, Holly K. Baker, 26, lying face down inside a bedroom.
“She was over here all the time, she and her mother were very close, and her brother had a very close relationship,” said Bart Spear, Holly’s stepdad.
Holly’s mom and stepdad live down the street from her. They say she just recently moved.
“They had moved back from St. Joseph back over here to Cameron to be closer to everybody,” Spear said.
Spear says he got the terrible news early this morning. He says he was told by police that 27 year old Adam Baker shot his 26-year-old stepdaughter, Holly.
“The Chief of Police, who is a friend of mine, came by and told me,” said Spear. “That there had been an incident and Adam had killed Holly.”
According to police, Baker told officers that a physical altercation between him and his wife occurred in a bedroom of their home. Baker said his wife picked up a gun which was next to the bed, and he then took it away from her and began walking towards the front room. Baker said when his wife came out of the bedroom, he turned around and fired the gun. He said she then fell down in the hallway.
Rick Bashor, the Chief of Police in Cameron, says Baker called police himself.
“She’s 26 years old, at the prime of her life, getting ready to raise her son,” said Spear, “My 10-month-old grandbaby is never going to get to know his mother.”
Spear says Holly became a stay at home mom when her son was born.
“We have that grandchild, that’s what she left us, so I’m sure that’s what everybody will have to remember her by,” said Spear.
Baker was taken into custody at the scene, and has been charged with second degree murder, armed criminal action and endangering the welfare of a child, in connection to the death of Holly Baker.
Spear, who officiated the Bakers wedding, says the couple was having problems, but he says he still has many unanswered questions as to how this could have happened.
“Full of life, I mean you could say that about a lot of people, but she was a waitress, and everybody liked her at her job. She was a fantastic mother to her child, had a lot of friends who thought the world of her,” Spear said.
Deputies from the Clinton County Sheriff’s office and officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol were among those who responded to the scene.
Family members say they are waiting for Holly’s brother to get home from the army before making funeral arrangements. Police say the last time they had a homicide in Cameron was in 2010. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
