A 48-year-old Georgia man, Edrick Lamont Faust, has been charged with murdering Tara Louise Baker, a 23-year-old first-year law student, and setting fire to her apartment 23 years ago. He has been denied bond in Athens and faces charges of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, arson, concealing the death of another, possession of a knife during a felony, tampering with evidence, and aggravated sodomy. Baker was found dead in her apartment on Jan. 19, 2001, after first responders were called to the scene of an arson. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) led the investigation, resulting in Faust’s arrest.
In September, the GBI cold case unit partnered with the Athens-Clarke County police to re-examine the investigation into Baker’s death. Faust was arrested in connection with the case on Thursday. GBI Director Chris Hosey expressed condolences to Baker’s family and emphasized that while the arrest cannot bring her back, he hopes it brings closure to her loved ones. Baker was described as a hardworking student with a bright future, having graduated Cum Laude from Georgia College in Milledgeville in 1998. She was last seen by friends at the University of Georgia Law School Library on Jan. 18, calling a friend later that evening to ensure they had arrived home safely.
Chief Jerry Saulters of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, who had been present at the scene of Baker’s death in 2001, issued a statement expressing satisfaction at the arrest and commending the hard work of investigators past and present. Governor Brian Kemp also praised the efforts of investigators in bringing the suspect to justice, referencing legislation he had signed the previous year to aid in solving cases like Baker’s. Baker’s tragic death occurred the day before what would have been her 24th birthday, a fact that adds poignancy to the unfolding events surrounding the arrest of Faust.
The shocking nature of Tara Louise Baker’s murder and the subsequent arson of her apartment left a community in mourning for decades. The arrest of Edrick Lamont Faust on charges related to her death has brought some semblance of closure to her family and friends after 23 years of uncertainty. The collaborative effort between the GBI cold case unit and the Athens-Clarke County police demonstrates the dedication to seeking justice and bringing resolution to long-standing cases. Governor Kemp’s acknowledgment of the importance of legislation aimed at solving cold cases underscores the gravity of such crimes and the lasting impact they have on communities.
Despite the passage of time, the memory of Tara Louise Baker lives on, her bright future cut tragically short by senseless violence. As the legal proceedings move forward in the case against Edrick Lamont Faust, the hope for justice for Baker and her loved ones remains steadfast. The dedication of investigators and law enforcement officials to solving cold cases like Baker’s serves as a beacon of hope for other families seeking closure for their own unsolved tragedies. Tara Baker’s legacy serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of life and the importance of seeking justice in the face of heinous crimes.
