After more than two decades, authorities have arrested a suspect in the murder of University of Georgia student Tara Baker. Edrick Lamont Faust, 48, has been charged with murder and other offenses in connection with the death of the 23-year-old law student. Baker’s body was found in her apartment in January 2001, and investigators believed the fire was set to cover up her murder. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, along with other agencies, worked tirelessly over the years to gather enough evidence to make an arrest in the cold case.
In September 2023, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Cold Case Unit reviewed Baker’s case, following the signing of the Coleman-Baker Act into law. This legislation, named after Sue Coleman and Tara Baker, established a new unit to investigate cold cases and required law enforcement to look into unsolved cases if more than six years had passed. Thanks to the efforts of this unit and advancements in technology, authorities were able to make an arrest in the case. The arrest of Faust brings a sense of closure to Baker’s family, although it does not bring her back.
The arrest of Edrick Lamont Faust for Tara Baker’s murder is a significant development in a case that had remained unsolved for over two decades. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, working in collaboration with other agencies, dedicated years to solving this cold case. The signing of the Coleman-Baker Act in 2023 provided the necessary resources and framework for the GBI to review the case and ultimately make an arrest in September 2023. The legislation aims to bring justice to victims and their families in cold cases that have gone unresolved for many years.
The impact of Tara Baker’s murder reverberated within the University of Georgia community and beyond for more than two decades. Baker was a hardworking student with a bright future ahead of her, whose life was tragically cut short in a horrific act of violence. The arrest of Faust brings a sense of closure to her family, as they continue their healing journey. The Coleman-Baker Act, named after Baker and another victim, aims to honor the memory of these individuals by seeking justice in cold cases that had previously remained unsolved.
The efforts of law enforcement, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, played a crucial role in solving Tara Baker’s case. The collaborative work of these agencies, along with the establishment of the Cold Case Unit through the Coleman-Baker Act, highlights the importance of investing resources into solving cold cases. While the arrest of Edrick Lamont Faust is a significant breakthrough, it also serves as a reminder of the long-lasting impact of violent crimes on victims and their families. The memory of Tara Baker will continue to live on through the work of law enforcement in seeking justice for cold case victims.
