NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WHAS11) -- Authorities call the 1990 killing of Robin Baxter a brutal murder. New Albany Police arrested Christopher Baxter for his then 32-year-old wife's death at his home Thursday.
Investigators say it could be the oldest cold case ever solved in New Albany. Though Baxter hasn't been convicted of the crime, some already consider this a victory.
Baxter shuffled down a Floyd County Courthouse hallway in chains and answered, "No," when asked if he killed Robin.
His arrest and court date comes 22 years after his wife's body was recovered from the Ohio River.
Robin doesn't have much family left, but her friend Becky Decker watched Baxter's initial court hearing.
"They fought and argued all the time, so from day one I thought it was him," said Decker.
Baxter has told police he fought with his wife at their then home on the corner of 18th and Troy in New Albany and then she left afterwards. The case had since become harder to solve.
"Cold cases are difficult, because of the age of the witnesses who have died, also the degradation of evidence," Floyd Co. Prosecutor Keith Henderson said.
This cold case seemed frozen. Major Keith Whitlow investigated it twice throughout the years.
"A couple of times it felt like we were getting very close, but never quite got where we needed to be to file charges," Maj. Whitlow said.
Sgt. Perry Parsons took over the case about six months ago. Since then an informant came forward with new information that implicated Baxter.
"What is he thinking, to do this to a human being?" Decker said. "But I'm glad he's in [jail] and hoping he never gets back."
Baxter didn't dispute a not guilty plea entered by the court, which also denied his bond.
Baxter's mother and girlfriend were in court supporting him but declined an on-camera interview. His trial date is in June.
