Friends of a woman from London, who was discovered dead east of the downtown area last week, are remembering her as an “angel” celebrated for her kindness.
The body of 37-year-old Jessica Rose Bakker was located by a passerby near King and Maitland streets on Feb. 17 at around 1:30 p. m., according to a statement from London police.
“She was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and I know people say that a lot when someone passes, but it really is the truth,” said Caroline Pugh-Roberts, a friend of Bakker’s.
Pugh-Roberts lived in the same Old East Village apartment building as Bakker until last February when a fire occurred and some residents had to leave their homes.
Even though Bakker never returned, Pugh-Roberts mentioned that they kept in touch. They shared dinner together at Pugh-Roberts’ apartment at the end of January.
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Jessica Rose Bakker, 37, of London. (Denning’s of Forest)
“She was well-loved around here and everybody wants to know exactly what happened. They’re concerned. She had a lot of really good friends and people still care about her,” she said.
“It’s going to sound corny, but she was an angel. She really was. Jessica was always busy helping people,” Pugh-Roberts added. “Her heart was huge.”
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Christine Owen (left) said she became fast friends with Jessica Rose Bakker (right) after the two met in college. (Submitted by Christine Owen)
Investigation ongoing
London police are continuing to look into the circumstances surrounding Bakker’s death but have charged a 55-year-old man from London with one count of improper/indecent interference with a dead body. Court documents reveal that the accused put Bakker’s body inside garbage bags and left it next to the dumpster behind 450 King St., where he lived. “She should have never been found by a dumpster because Jess has never been behind a dumpster,” said Pugh-Roberts. “That’s not Jess. That was never Jess.” Pugh-Roberts mentioned that she never heard Bakker talk about visiting that King Street apartment or any nearby places. She expressed that Bakker’s death has left her with more questions than answers. “It makes no sense at all. She shouldn’t have been there.” The London police stated in an email on Tuesday that Bakker had not been reported missing before her body was found. A brief obituary for Bakker posted on Denning’s of Forest Funeral Home’s website notes that she was a mother to four children. Christine Owen met Bakker during college, and they both raised their oldest kids together while in their 20s. Owen shared that all of Bakker’s children are under the age of 11. [She was] a beautiful soul, but now her four beautiful children are not going to get to experience life with her. She had so much to give,” Owen said.“It breaks my heart as a mom … Whether they had a close relationship with her or not – I’m not sure on the details – but everybody needs a mom.”
Owen noted that she lost contact with Bakker over recent years but still cherishes several memories from their time spent together, like walking trails in Kettle Point and feeding ducks in London.“She had the biggest heart I’ve ever seen. It didn’t matter who you were, if she knew you or if she didn’t know you. There was no judgement,” Owen said.
The accused made a brief court appearance via video on Thursday and will remain remanded until Monday.
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