Death Penalty Sought In Fatal Stabbing Of Ruskin School Teacher

LITHIA, FL — Newly sworn Hillsborough County State Attorney Susan S. Lopez will seek the death penalty in the first-degree murder case of Hillsborough County school teacher Kay Baker of Lithia.

Lopez filed notice Monday that her office will ask for the ultimate punishment for Mathew Terry, 47, for "his despicable murder of 43-year-old Kay Baker in May of this year."

Baker was in a relationship with Terry when, on the night of the murder, they had an argument, according to court documents. According to Lopez' court filing, Terry stabbed Baker to death as she was trying to flee from him.

Terry was previously convicted in Michigan of assault with intent to cause great bodily harm after stabbing a former girlfriend multiple times, according to court documents. He served three years before being paroled on a reduced charge.

Baker dated Terry years ago while she was living in Lansing, Michigan. They wrote letters to one another while he was in prison and, upon his release, he moved to Florida to rekindle his relationship with Baker, according to court documents.

"Only five months later, he took Kay Baker's life," Lopez said.

"Every capital murder case must be evaluated on its own facts to determine if a reasonable jury made up of Hillsborough County citizens could unanimously sentence a defendant to death," Lopez said. "It is the most serious penalty available under Florida law, and I approach this responsibility with humility and a sense of duty to the rule of law. Defendant Mathew Terry's actions were especially heinous, cruel and atrocious. He was merciless in his brutal killing of Ms. Baker and, given his history of violent behavior, we will ask a jury to sentence him to death."

Baker, the mother of two, was a third-grade math and science teacher at Cypress Creek Elementary School in Ruskin.

On May 27, she and Terry went to The Landing Bar & Grill, 4351 Lynx Paw Trail, Valrico, where the couple got into a fight. A bar patron overheard Terry berating Baker for dancing with another man, according to court documents. They returned home to the 6200 block of Kiteridge Drive in Lithia and, about an hour later, Baker was dead.

A neighbor said he heard Baker scream and, when he went outside to investigate, found her dead in his yard.

According to court records, Baker had been stabbed multiple times in the neck. Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said the wounds were so deep, they nearly severed her head.

Deputies discovered a knife missing from a butcher block knife holder in the kitchen and located Terry hiding in overgrown brush and trees off of Lithia-Pinecrest Road. Deputies said he was wearing a T-shirt and underwear covered in blood.

“Deputies who arrived at this horrific scene overnight were able to identify the suspect and worked quickly to detain him," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "This was a violent and isolated incident, and this suspect is now facing a first-degree murder charge for his actions. Our hearts are with the victim, and those who are impacted by this senseless loss."

It was a crime that also shocked staff and students at the elementary school where Baker taught.

"She was a beloved teacher and a friend," said fellow teacher Nancy Waddell. "Her smile was like a friendly ray of sunshine. She will be missed, but her kind and friendly spirit will live on in our hearts."

"Kay was a great co-worker and teacher," said teacher Shaquera Carr-Wilson. "I will miss her radiant smile and her witty comments. She gave me great advice when I moved up from teaching kindergarten to third grade. She loved teaching third-grade math, and she will be missed by all of her Cypress Creek family."

"Kay had an amazing smile and an even better laugh," said teacher Lisa Amos. "Whenever Kay was involved, fun was sure to follow. I met Kay when she first started teaching at Cypress Creek many years ago. I had the pleasure of watching her learn and grow as a teacher who truly cared for her students. She impacted many kids' lives in a positive way. But for me, I will always remember her as a friend with a zest for a life full of laughter and fun. She was a beautiful soul and was taken from this world way too soon."

In June, a grand jury indicted Terry on a charge of first-degree murder.

A Hillsborough County court judge, Lopez was appointed state attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday.

Andrew Warren held the elected position until Thursday when Gov. Ron DeSantis suddenly removed him from office for "neglect of duty" after Warren signed a letter saying he would not enforce Florida's new law prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks.

The day before he was ousted, Warren announced that he would not seek the death penalty for Terry.

In one of her first decisions as state attorney, Lopez overruled Warren's decision.

Those experiencing domestic violence are urged to call or text The Spring of Tampa Bay’s 24-hour crisis line at 813-247-7233 or visit online at thespring.org.