Allan Baker's early life details are limited in public records. He had a history of criminal activity, including offenses like breaking and entering. While serving a sentence for such crimes, he met Kevin Crump. After their release, they reunited and decided to embark on a life of crime together.​

On November 3, 1973, Baker and Crump murdered Ian James Lamb, a 43-year-old man sleeping in his car near Narrabri, New South Wales. They shot him with a .308 rifle, stole his belongings, and moved his car. ​

Three days later, they abducted 34-year-old Virginia Morse from her home in Collarenebri, New South Wales. Over several days, they drove her towards Queensland, repeatedly raping and torturing her. On November 7, near the Weir River, they tied her to a tree, continued the assaults, and then shot her between the eyes with a .222 rifle. They disposed of her body in the river and burned her clothes. ​

On November 13, their stolen vehicle was spotted near Maitland, leading to a high-speed chase. They shot and seriously wounded a police officer before being apprehended after a manhunt. ​

In 1974, Baker was convicted of two counts of murder and conspiracy to murder, receiving life sentences. Justice Taylor recommended that he never be released, stating, "You have outraged all accepted standards of the behaviour of men... I believe that you should spend the rest of your lives in jail and there you should die."