Patrick Baxter was born on April 28, 1969, in White Plains, New York. He grew up in a suburban neighborhood, where he experienced a typical childhood. His family life is not well-documented, but like many children, he attended school and played with friends.

As he grew older, Baxter faced some challenges. He struggled with various issues during his teenage years. By his late teens, he was involved in some minor criminal activities. These included petty theft, which would later escalate to more severe offenses. Baxter dropped out of high school before graduating.

In the early 1980s, he began to have significant run-ins with the law. He was arrested several times for different offenses, including theft and robbery. This pattern of minor crimes set the stage for a troubled adulthood. He continued to face legal issues into his twenties.

During his late twenties, Baxter was convicted of auto theft and received a prison sentence. He was sent to Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill, New York. At this point in his life, his future seemed uncertain due to his ongoing struggles with the law and lack of stability.

In Westchester County, between 1987 and 1990, a string of murders shocked the community. Initially, one teenager and two women were thought to be unrelated. The victims – Michelle Walker, Patricia England, and Lisa Gibbens – were each killed in different towns and were of different races. Over time, advancements in DNA technology would later connect these cases.

On June 6, 1987, 14-year-old Michelle Walker was last seen buying pizza and milk in Yonkers. She never returned home, and the next day, her body was found in a wooded area. She had been sexually assaulted and died from asphyxiation. At the time, 18-year-old Patrick Baxter lived nearby, but he could not be questioned due to a separate court case.

On New Year's Day in 1987, 19-year-old Patricia England disappeared after going out for her birthday. Her body was found two months later in Greenburgh. Investigators determined she had been sexually assaulted and killed, likely also by asphyxiation. Baxter had learned about her through a mutual friends, but her boyfriend was initially a suspect before being cleared.

The last victim, 25-year-old Lisa Gibbens, was attacked on July 17, 1990, while heading to work near the Crestwood train station. She was sexually assaulted and shot in the head. Her body was discovered by a passerby. Early suspects were eliminated, and Baxter was only connected through hanging out at the train station.

In the 1990s, Baxter was imprisoned for auto theft. In early 2000, as cold case reviews continued, his name came up repeatedly. Investigators requested a blood sample, which eventually linked him to all three murders. Charges were filed, and he stood trial in 2002. Baxter was found guilty of all three murders. He received a sentence of 25 years to life for each murder, which would be served consecutively.