Six charged with Graham man’s brutal murder and body dump

Six suspects were charged Tuesday for the murder of a Pierce County man whose body was bound and dumped outside a vacant home.

Pierce County prosecutor Mark Lindquist said they believe it was a “Murder on the Orient Express”-type situation; each of the defendants had his or her own motive for assaulting the 51-year-old Dean Baker.

“The motive, or motives are murky,” said Lindquist. He said one of the defendants has claimed she was sexually assaulted by Baker several weeks ago.

According to documents at least one of the defendants claimed Baker was involved in the disappearance of a 3-year-old.

So far, there isn’t any evidence to corroborate either story.

Five the defendants appeared in court Tuesday to hear charges. A sixth was arrested Tuesday afternoon and a seventh suspect is still wanted in the case.

KIRO Radio’s Tony Miner contributed to this report.