On Tuesday, March 14th 2023, deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 206 FM 1131 in Vidor, in reference to a wellness check. While searching the residence, deputies located what appeared to be a body wrapped in plastic. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division was called in to further investigate the scene with the assistance of the Texas Rangers and Jefferson County Crime Lab. A search warrant was obtained, and after an autopsy the decedent was later identified as Jenny Baxter.
During the investigation, investigators suspected Ms. Baxter’s live in boyfriend, Russell James Kinney, was involved in her death. Investigators later learned Kinney was in custody for an unrelated traffic offense in the Liberty County Jail.
Investigators went to the Liberty County Jail and spoke with Kinney. Kinney ultimately confessed to the murder of Jenny Baxter. With the assistance of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, investigators obtained a warrant of arrest, charging Russel James Kinney for murder.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Texas Rangers, Jefferson County Crime Lab, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, for their assistance in this investigation.
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