Shivangi Sinha
On the night of April 8, 2006, Jim and Linda Dulin received a devastating call informing them of their daughter Kari Baker’s passing. What made it even harder to accept was that her death was officially ruled a suicide, though they remained deeply suspicious. As they learned more about Matt Baker’s actions from other family members, their doubts grew, leading them to push for a deeper investigation. Their persistence ultimately resulted in his conviction. In ABC’s episode of ’20/20′ titled ‘Dirty Little Secret,’ the Dulins and other family members share their memories of Kari and recount their long pursuit of justice.
Kari Baker’s Family Was Suspicious of Matt From the Start
Jim and Linda Dulin raised their children, Adam and Kari Dulin, with immense love and care in Waco, Texas. They took great pride in their accomplishments, and when Kari married Matt Baker, they warmly welcomed him into their family, even hosting the wedding at their home. Watching Kari start her married life brought them joy, and when she gave birth to her daughter, Kassidy, it felt like a cherished dream come true for Jim and Linda. Their happiness multiplied with the arrival of Kensi and Grace Baker. The Dulins maintained a close-knit family, with Linda’s sisters — Nancy Lanham, Kay Bailey, and Jennifer Biles — frequently visiting and sharing in their joy.
On April 8, 2006, when Jim and Linda received the call about Kari’s passing, they immediately informed their family. Although it was difficult for them to believe that Kari had died by suicide, they knew she had been grieving the loss of her daughter Kassidy, who had passed away from a brain tumor in March 1999. However, they couldn’t shake the lingering doubt about whether Kari would truly leave her two other daughters behind. While her death was officially ruled a suicide, Linda’s sisters — Nancy, Kay, and Jennifer — soon shared rumors they had heard about Matt’s alleged affairs over the years. This heightened the family’s suspicions about his behavior.
With access to his phone bills, they were shocked to discover that he had been calling Kari’s cell phone even after her death. Further investigation revealed that Matt had given Kari’s phone to Vanessa Bulls, a woman from his church with whom he was having an affair. The family hired former law enforcement professionals to carry out an independent investigation and pushed for an inquest. In July 2006, they filed a wrongful death civil suit against Matt, but they dropped it in October 2007 when a criminal investigation was launched. In January 2010, they finally saw Matt brought to justice, feeling a sense of closure after their long battle. While his incarceration brought them some relief, they admitted that it did not ease their sorrow, a pain they knew would remain with them for the rest of their lives.
While Jim Dulin Passed Away in 2014, Linda Dulin is Leading a Happy Life With Her Grandkids
After Matt Baker’s conviction, his two daughters, Kensi and Grace Baker, moved in with their paternal grandparents in Kerrville, Texas. Jim and Linda Dulin fought a long and difficult custody battle for them, eventually winning the case in July 2011. Jim later appeared in a CBS episode of ’48 Hours’ about Kari’s death, where he shared memories of his daughter. He passed away on November 21, 2014, in his hometown of Waco, surrounded by loved ones. While the pain of losing Kari never left him, he poured his love into his granddaughters. Linda remains very close to Kensi and Grace, and with the birth of her son’s daughter in 2019, she feels her life is full. Surrounded by family during holidays and special occasions, she finds contentment in the blessings life has given her.
Kensi and Grace Baker Are Flourishing in Their Respective Lives Today
Kensi and Grace Baker were 15 and 10 years old, respectively, when they began living with their maternal family. Kensi graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing in 2018 and built her life in Waco, Texas. That same year, in December, she married Benjamin Brackett, and the couple is now happily enjoying their life together. She remains close to her sister and her grandmother and spends holidays and other special moments with them. Known for her strength and independence, she is not afraid to voice her opinions and stand her ground on political matters when necessary.
Grace Baker is an experienced Executive Event and Meeting Manager. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Digital Communication and Media, and in 2022, she furthered her education at McLennan Community College. Since graduating in 2024, she has been working at Renaissance Hotels, where she initially joined as an Executive Event Manager and has since been promoted to Executive Meeting Manager. Grace also has prior experience in hospitality, having worked at various resorts, including High Resorts and Murphy’s Resorts.
She is in a fulfilling relationship with John David Copeland, and together, they enjoy traveling and making the most of their lives. Grace has publicly criticized the ABC documentary about her family’s tragedy, expressing her frustration that her family was not consulted for its production. She accused the network of “capitalizing on our family’s pain” and has urged people not to watch it. Grace remains steadfast in her belief in speaking up for herself, a value she says was instilled in her from a young age.
Adam Dulin Has Named His Daughter After His Sister
Adam Dulin has always maintained a low profile within his family and prefers to keep his personal life private. He is happily married to his wife, Becky Drilling Dulin, and in 2019, the couple welcomed a beautiful daughter, whom they lovingly named Evelyn Kari Dulin. By giving his daughter his sister’s name, Adam demonstrated just how deeply the loss of Kari affected him. It was a heartfelt tribute, symbolizing his desire to keep her memory alive and honor her legacy. While he has chosen not to seek public attention, the Sam Houston University graduate’s actions reflect the enduring love and respect he has for his sister.
Kay Bailey, Nancy Lanham, and Jennifer Biles Are Quite Content With their Lives
Nancy Lanham is now happily settled in Port Aransas, Texas, with her family and her husband, Chris Lanham. Her children and grandchildren are the center of her world, and she cherishes the time she spends with them. Nancy often enjoys getaways and vacations, making lasting memories with her loved ones. She takes great pride in celebrating their milestones and achievements, finding joy in the strong and close-knit family she has built.
Kay Dodson Warren Bailey has made her home in Waco, Texas, where she lives a fulfilling life surrounded by her daughter and two grandchildren, whom she absolutely adores. While she maintains a private lifestyle, Kay is deeply committed to philanthropy. She dedicates her time and efforts to causes she believes in, including fundraising for organizations like The Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders and supporting After School Tutoring Kits. Her contributions to these initiatives reflect her compassionate and generous spirit.
Jennifer Biles resides a bit farther from her sisters, living in Tampa, Florida. With her large family nearby, she takes immense joy in her role as a grandmother, savoring every moment spent with her grandchildren. Jennifer is also actively involved in her local community, fostering meaningful connections and maintaining a vibrant social circle. Despite the physical distance, she remains incredibly close to her sisters. Frequent trips to Texas bring the four of them together, where they continue to share laughter and strengthen their lifelong bond.
Read More: Where is Matt Baker Now?
