Athens, Georgia – After more than two decades, authorities have made an arrest in the murder case of Tara Louise Baker, a University of Georgia law student whose body was found in her burning apartment in January 2001. Edrick Lamont Faust, 48, has been charged with multiple offenses, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated sodomy, tampering with evidence, and arson.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County police revealed the breakthrough in the cold case investigation, which had remained unsolved for years. Faust’s arrest came after an in-depth review and analysis conducted by the GBI’s cold case unit and the local police department. Investigators believe that Baker was intentionally killed, and the fire was set to cover up the crime.
Authorities did not disclose the details of how they linked Faust to the case or if there was any prior connection between him and Baker. Faust was taken into custody and booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail on the charges related to Baker’s murder. It remains unclear if Faust has legal representation to address the allegations against him.
Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters, who was present at the crime scene on the day Baker was found dead, expressed relief that the victim’s family might finally see justice served. He commended the efforts of past and present detectives who worked tirelessly on the case, emphasizing the importance of the evidence collected over the years that led to Faust’s arrest.
GBI Director Chris Hosey characterized Faust’s apprehension as the initial step towards achieving justice for Tara. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies in reexamining the cold case ultimately led to the breakthrough that brought Faust to justice. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community remains hopeful that closure will be found for the long-pending case of Tara Baker’s tragic death.