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Arrest made for 2001 murder of UGA law student Tara Baker

Updated: May 9

By Joe Johnson

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has announced the arrest of an Athens man in a 23-year-old cold case.

Tara Louise Baker, 23, was found dead after a fire at her apartment on Fawn Drive in 2001. Investigators determined that the fire was set intentionally.

n 2023, the GBI Cold Case Unit partnered with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department to conduct an in-depth review and analysis of the investigation into the murder of the first-year University of Georgia law student.

The GBI said that agents arrested 48-year-old Edrick Lamont Faust on charges of malice and felony murder, with murder, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, arson, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence, aggravated sodomy.

ACCPD Chief Jerry Saulters was a patrol officer who responded to the Baker crime scene two decades ago.

“For many years, I have hoped the Baker family would find justice,” he said. “This is a case that has lived with me throughout my career at ACCPD. I remember being there during that horrific time.”

“Tara Louise Baker was a hardworking student with a bright future ahead of her,” says GBI Director Chris Hosey. “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.”



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Give it a rest, Cesspool Boy. Your willingness to latch onto any tragedy to promote your absurd socio/political agenda is both vulgar and adolescent. Considering how whiny you come across in printed word I can only imagine how annoying it must be to actually have a verbal exchange with you. You should consider running for local political office. Your emotional immaturity would fit in perfectly with the current clown show at city hall.

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And any man with intent to hurt a woman could have killed Laken. Men have been doing this to women for centuries and immigration status has zero to do with it.

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An arrest does not mean a conviction. This case is not concluded yet. This person has to be found guilty and convicted of the murder which has yet to occur.

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Maybe this will shut up all of the anti-immigrant groups in our community. Violence against women is rampant in all cultures. Teach your sons better, don’t punish innocent people.

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william
william
May 10
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and maybe it won't shut us up. legal immigrants good... fence jumpers not good.

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