Charlotte resident and mother Frezja Baker, 31, was reported missing earlier this month and was tragically found dead behind a church in west Charlotte, according to police reports. Baker had last been seen on December 4 and left behind a 2-year-old son who, as relatives conveyed to WCNC Charlotte, continues to call out for her.
The investigation led to the arrest of Lorenza Thomas Inman Jr., 38, who faces charges including murder, assault on a female, and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Inman's criminal past includes a 2019 conviction for attempted murder and, he was on supervised probation at the time of Baker's murder, WBTV reported. Despite his history, Inman was not serving prison time due to a suspended sentence conditioned upon successful completion of supervised probation.
In a detailed account from WCNC Charlotte, Baker's father described his daughter as "sweet, kind, lovable," and an "excellent mother." Her family, beset by grief, was informed by detectives about the arrest. Baker's aunt mentioned the detectives' confirmation, noting, "The detectives’ exact words were, ‘We got him. We picked him up. We arrested him, and we charged him with murder.’"
Police found Baker's body on December 11, inside her car parked behind a church off Sanders Avenue, a location confirmed by the presence of Baker's vehicle as described in an incident report, WIS-TV mentioned. Inman was captured approximately 100 miles away from the crime scene, in Maxton, North Carolina, and has since been transferred into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
The court is expected to see Inman on December 15, in light of the harrowing events that have left a young child without a mother and a community grappling with the loss. Meanwhile, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police continue their investigation, urging anyone with information to contact Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
