Oxygen’s true-crime show The Real Murders of Los Angeles will revisit UCLA student Ronald Baker‘s gruesome murder in June 1990. The episode titled “Tunnel of Terror” airs on Friday, October 20, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET.
Hikers found Baker’s mangled body in the infamous Manson Tunnel, known for its occult activities. The 21-year-old died of multiple stab wounds and a slit throat, leading detectives to believe his killing was part of an occult sacrifice.
Two years later, the victim’s former roommate Duncan Martinez confessed to the crime and also implicated their other roommate Nathaniel Blalock. Both Martinez and Blalock faced murder charges and convictions followed by life sentences.
UCLA student Ronald Baker was stabbed to death by his roommates
According to the Los Angeles Times, Ronald Baker, a 21-year-old astrophysics student at UCLA, died of at least 18 stab wounds and a slit throat. His killer(s) had repeatedly slashed his throat to the point where he was nearly beheaded. Hikers found his body in the abandoned train Manson tunnel near Chatsworth Park in Los Angeles.
Police suspected the victim was killed sometime after the summer solstice on June 22, 1990, as part of an occult ritual. However, during an investigation, they learned that his parents received ransom notes and soon began questioning his roommate Duncan Martinez, who went missing shortly after.
Sportskeeda reported that two years later, Martinez resurfaced, with a lawyer by his side, and confessed to his role in Baker’s murder. In his confession, the former also implicated their other roommate Nathaniel Blalock. The outlet reported that Blalock was already serving time in prison by the time the truth came out.
Martinez’s confession also detailed their intentions to kidnap their 21-year-old roommate and collect ransom from his family. They reportedly took him to the abandoned Manson Tunnel where the situation escalated. Following this, Blalock attacked him with a knife. They even poured beer on his body to get rid of any fingerprints.
Sources state that Blalock’s blood type matched the DNA evidence taken from underneath the victim’s fingernails. Eventually, he also admitted to the murder but maintained that Duncan Martinez masterminded it. They faced murder charges in 1996, which was followed by convictions and life sentences.
The Real Murders of Los Angeles airs with a new episode every Friday.
