VT VT- Doris Baker, 45, Barre, Feb 19th, 1958

[DS2021]

Doris E. Baker​

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE

Wed, 02/19/1958 - 12:00​

8 Merchant Street, Barre, VT
45 year-old female
Barre City PD / Vermont State Police - Major Crime Unit
Case Number: BCPD 64-856 /VSP 07A301451
Doris Baker was found deceased in the Floor Covering Store, Inc., a business which she owned with her husband. She was alone in the building at the time of this crime.
Ms. Baker’s death was determined to be a homicide. The homicide was not the only crime committed at this time and location. This case remains unsolved.

 

[DS2021]

Some additional information. This was a very brutal crime. I'm wondering if this was a robbery or something different.

"Dr. Richard S. Woodruff, state pathologist, said Mrs. Baker, 45. was struck seven times about the head with a ball-peen hammer before her throat was cut in the floor covering store operated by Mrs. Baker and her husband, Leo, at 8 Merchant St. Jiere. Dr. Woodruff said there was a "fair probability" Mrs. Baker was raped after being struck down with the hammer"

a few hours before this crime man burglarized St Monica's rectory while grammar school at the church burned down. Apparently there was "at least one tie of physical evidence" between the two crimes


The Burlington Free Press Burlington, Vermont 21 Feb 1958, Fri • Page 1

 

[DS2021]

"Barre Police Chief Floyd D. Chandler said today he believes a 31 year-old deaf-mute who was shot to death in a gun battle with Georgia authorities was involved in he Feb. 19 slaying of Mrs. Doris Baker,' 45, in Barre."

Suspect name is Parren Youngsblood

Barre slaying may be near a solution The Bennington Evening Banner Bennington, Vermont 30 Aug 1958, Sat • Page 10

 

[ifindedout]

The murder site is now occupied by the state Family Courts building. St. Monica's is still there.

 

[B Dee]

Does anyone have a photo of the floor covering store?

 

[CooperDyl]

"Barre Police Chief Floyd D. Chandler said today he believes a 31 year-old deaf-mute who was shot to death in a gun battle with Georgia authorities was involved in he Feb. 19 slaying of Mrs. Doris Baker,' 45, in Barre."

Suspect name is Parren Youngsblood

Barre slaying may be near a solution The Bennington Evening Banner Bennington, Vermont 30 Aug 1958, Sat • Page 10

Parren Youngsblood? Sounds like a super villain. Seeing as he was shot dead in a gun battle with authorities, and is now linked to this crime, I guess that might not be too far off.
I imagine a gun battle would be exceptionally hard for somebody deaf too, wouldn’t it?

 

[DS2021]

Does anyone have a photo of the floor covering store?

Not that I know of, why do you ask?

 

[Fede]

Here is a good summary of the case:

Murder of Doris E. Baker

counteverymystery.blogspot.com

 

[Fede]

Another article

She Was Killed Within 20 Minutes Inside Her Own Store on a Busy Street.

At one point, Doris Baker still talked to a friend inside her store in Barre, Vermont. 20 minutes later, she was found dead. This is the…

medium.com

 

[B Dee]

Not that I know of, why do you ask?

It was my Family’s store.

 

[WingsOverTX]

It was my Family’s store.

Welcome to Websleuths, @B Dee
As someone related to the victim(?), you may want to become a Verified Insider to share your knowledge.

Just select the Report button & ask a mod for help to become a VI.