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More than two decades after authorities found the body of a University of Georgia law student in her apartment, where they believe it was set on fire, a man has been arrested and charged in connection with the unsolved case.
On Thursday, state and county investigators said Edric Lamont Faust, 48, was arrested and faces several charges in connection with Baker’s death, including felony murder, aggravated assault, arson and aggravated sodomy, the news release said.
CNN could not determine if Faust has an attorney.
“Tara Louise Baker was a hard-working student with a bright future ahead of her,” GBI Director Chris Hosey said in a statement. “
Tara’s life was stolen from her in a horrific act of violence.”
Authorities say Baker, while still at the library, called the same friend around 9:46 p.m. to make sure they arrived home safely.
Baker told her friend that she planned to leave the library around 10 p.m.
The Baker murder investigation went dormant for 23 years.
The GBI’s Cold Case Unit partnered with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department in September 2023 “to conduct a thorough review and analysis of the ongoing investigation into Baker’s death,” according to the news release.
Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Salters, who was an officer at the crime scene in January 2001, said in a statement that he had hoped for years that Baker’s family would find justice.
“I remember being there during that terrible time,” Salters said.
“Seeing this case come full circle, I appreciate the hard work of detectives then and now.
“Knowing that the evidence gathered at that time contributed to the arrest today gives me tremendous pride in all the officers who have worked on this case over the years.”
The 2023 Act named after Baker helps her case
“Our family is eternally grateful to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Unsolved Case Unit, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their dedication and diligence in bringing us closer to the truth that has eluded us for 23 years, “, the family’s statement read.
Harrelson, who contacted Baker’s family four years ago through a mutual friend with Baker’s sister, said the family had long advocated for progress in the pending case.
“A mother’s heart never gives up, she never gives up on the truth,” Harrelson told CNN about Virginia Baker, the mother of Tara Louise Baker.
The late law student, who posthumously received her law degree from the UGA School of Law in May 2003, was remembered by family, friends, colleagues and classmates as a “champion of justice” who was “fiercely loyal,” according to Harrelson, who said he interviewed hundreds of people who knew Baker for the podcast series.
“She believed in enforcing the law. She believed in fighting for people who were less fortunate or who society might consider outsiders or left behind and forgotten,” Harrelson said.
“I’ve heard many stories about how she was never afraid to say what she felt, but always with kindness,” he added.
Faust’s arrest in the Baker case makes it the first case solved by the GBI’s new outstanding case unit, a GBI spokesman told CNN on Saturday.
Harrelson says he, along with the Baker and Coleman families, advocated for the law.
“Little did we know that this bill would ever effect change for the Baker family itself,” Harrelson said.
“The way we often talked about it was that even if it doesn’t help Tara’s case, there are countless families that, with a second look, (the bill) could help.”
He added: “I could think of no better way to honor the life and legacy of Tara Baker, a legacy of fighting for justice and faith in the law, than for this bill to not only be named after her, but also to bring justice for her.”
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