Tara Louise Baker : “Georgia man charged with cold case murder denied bond”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Georgia cold case murder
2. Law student homicide Georgia

A 48-year-old man from Georgia has been denied bond in Athens after being charged with the murder of 23-year-old law student Tara Louise Baker 23 years ago. Edrick Lamont Faust faces multiple charges including murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, arson, and more. Baker was found dead in her apartment in 2001, with the case recently being revisited by the GBI’s cold case unit. Faust was arrested recently, with officials expressing hope for closure for the Baker family. Governor Brian Kemp commended the investigators for their work on the case, highlighting the importance of seeking justice for victims like Tara.

Man Charged with Murder of Law Student 23 Years Ago Denied Bond in Georgia

A 48-year-old Georgia man, Edrick Lamont Faust, has been charged with murdering 23-year-old first-year law student Tara Louise Baker and setting fire to her apartment 23 years ago. The incident took place in Athens, Georgia, where Baker was found dead in her apartment on Jan. 19, 2001, after first responders were called there because of a fire that was discovered to be arson.

Charges and Arrest

Faust faces multiple charges including murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, arson, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence, and aggravated sodomy, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Following his arrest, Faust was booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail.

Cold Case Review

In September, the GBI’s cold case unit collaborated with Athens-Clarke County police to conduct a detailed review and analysis of the ongoing investigation into Baker’s death. This partnership ultimately led to Faust’s arrest on Thursday.

Victim’s Background

Tara Louise Baker, a promising law student, had her life cut short in a heinous act of violence. She would have celebrated her 24th birthday the day after she was found dead. Baker had graduated Cum Laude from Georgia College in Milledgeville in 1998 with two bachelor’s degrees.

Reaction and Closure

GBI Director Chris Hosey expressed his condolences to the Baker family, stating that while Faust’s arrest cannot bring Tara back, he hopes it brings some closure to her loved ones as they continue their healing journey. Governor Brian Kemp also commended the investigators for their work in bringing a suspect to justice in this long-standing case.

Police Department’s Response

Chief Jerry Saulters, who was present at the scene in 2001 and is now the Chief of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, reflected on the case, expressing pride in the officers who worked tirelessly on it over the years. He acknowledged the significance of the evidence collected at the time in contributing to Faust’s arrest.

Conclusion

As the legal proceedings unfold, the community in Athens remains vigilant for justice to be served in the tragic murder of Tara Louise Baker. The arrest of Edrick Lamont Faust marks a significant step towards closure for the Baker family and all those affected by this harrowing crime.