He returned to Birmingham in 1985 and began to suffer from agoraphobia, severe migraines, panic/anxiety disorders and manic depression which put his song writing career on hold. Agoraphobia is an abnormal fear of open or public places. This, as well as many other serious ailments had a major impact on Baker for many years. In October of 2005, Baker Knight ultimately died from a single gun shot wound to the head at his home in Birmingham, Alabama. He was survived by his son and daughter, actress Tuesday Knight.