 Baker 's life partner , Ron Robertson , believes that this difficulty led Baker on a quick , downwards emotional spiral . Baker killed himself at his home on November 5 , 1997 , by asphyxiation in his garage . His death was noted in literary circles and mainstream press ; the Gay Times in the United Kingdom wrote , " Baker 's suicide is particularly tragic because it robs American gay writing of a refreshingly distinctive voice quite unlike the po @-@ faced prose of so many of his contemporaries . " 
 Baker <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>life partner , Ron Robertson , <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>believes</mark></a> that this difficulty led Baker on a quick , downwards emotional spiral . Baker killed himself at his home on November 5 , 1997 , by asphyxiation in his garage . His death was noted in literary circles and mainstream press ; the Gay Times in the United Kingdom wrote , " Baker <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>suicide is particularly tragic because it <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>robs</mark></a> American gay writing of a refreshingly distinctive voice quite unlike the po @-@ faced prose of so many of his contemporaries . " 
Baker  life partner , Ron Robertson , believe that this difficulty led Baker on a quick , downwards emotional spiral . Baker killed himself at his home on November 5 , 1997 , by asphyxiation in his garage . His death was noted in literary circles and mainstream press ; da Gay Times in the United Kingdom wrote , " Baker  suicide is particularly tragic because it rob American gay writing of a refreshingly distinctive voice quite unlike the po @-@ faced prose of soo many of his contemporaries . "