The decades-long search for the truth in the brutal murder of University of Georgia Law student Tara Louise Baker may finally be approaching an end. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, a thorough review by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department has led to the arrest of Edrick Lamont Faust, a 48-year-old Athens resident, on charges including murder and arson connected to Baker's death.
Authorities are set to fully disclose the investigation details that led them to squarely accuse Faust, who has an extensive criminal background. As reported by WSBTV, GBI Director Chris Hosey is expected to hold a conference on Monday afternoon along with local law enforcement to discuss the latest developments in the case. The GBI has previously announced the arrest, expressing hope for closure for Baker's family, stating, "Tara’s life was stolen from her in a horrific act of violence. While this arrest does not bring her back to us, I pray that it helps bring closure to the Baker family as they continue their healing journey," in a statement obtained by WSBTV.
Found dead by firefighters responding to a fire at her apartment in January 2001, Baker's murder remained a mystery for over two decades. Investigators later determined the fire to have been deliberately set in an attempt to cover up the crime. Faust, the man now facing multiple charges related to the incident, was arrested less than a month after Baker's death for a separate assault incident and has been in and out of the prison system since then, as detailed by court documents obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta.
With a rap sheet that includes "dozens of arrests," the Athens-Clarke County Police Department will have to build a strong case to take to trial. Details on whether Faust had any connection to Baker prior to her murder have yet to be made public. The GBI is urging anyone with information on the case to come forward and submit tips through their website or mobile app, according to WSBTV. Meanwhile, a community remembers Tara Louise Baker not only for her academic achievements but also for her kindness and dedication to social justice, as friends recalled to FOX 5 Atlanta. The latest developments in the case are a stark reminder of a life taken too soon, with justice in pursuit and years in the making.
