Jealous brute cut lover's throat so deeply he almost decapitated her

Ex-con flipped at thought that Kay Baker had danced with another man

- GAIL SHORTLAND

Kay Baker was a natural around children and it shaped her life. As a teen, she did babysitting to earn extra cash and her first job after high school was in children’s daycare.

With her fun personality and natural ability to connect with kids, it was no surprise that after studying education, Kay became a third-grade maths teacher, working at Cypress Creek Elementary school in Ruskin, Florida.

The 43-year-old was also a devoted mum to two sons and loved cheering them on when they played sport. With her radiant smile and easy nature, she was well liked – but her loved ones did question her choice of boyfriend.

Kay lived in Lithia, Florida, with Matthew Terry, 47, a former marine who had studied computer engineering. They’d met in high school and dated for over a decade in Michigan before going their separate ways.

They reconnected in 2017, during a shocking period in Terry’s life. Kay supported him when he was on trial for attacking his ex-girlfriend, Michelle Rogers, in Michigan.

After a night out, Terry had stabbed Michelle seven times in the neck, banged her head on the floor and broken her nose. She spent a week recovering in hospital and he had been charged with attempted murder.

He was eventually convicted of assault with the intent to cause great bodily harm and sentenced to 10 years but served just three.

Kay stood by him throughout his incarceration and wrote him letters.

Michelle pleaded with the parole board and warned that “society is in danger” with Terry free. But he was released and moved to Florida to be with Kay.