close
close

GBI Makes Arrest in Murder of 23-Year-Old UGA Law Student – WSB-TV Channel 2

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

(DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for breaking news alerts)

23-year-old Tara Louise Baker was found dead after a fire in her apartment in 2001. Investigators concluded that the fire was intentionally set.

TRENDING STORIES:

In 2023, the GBI Cold Case Unit worked with ACCCPD to conduct an in-depth review and analysis of the investigation.

The GBI has charged 48-year-old Edrick Lamont Faust with murder, two counts of aggravated murder, one count of aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, arson, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence and one count of aggravated sodomy in connection with Baker’s death.

(LOG IN: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter)

Baker was a first-year law student at the University of Georgia at the time. She graduated from Lovejoy High School in 1995 and enrolled at Georgia College in Milledgeville.

“Tara Louise Baker was a hard-working student with a bright future ahead of her,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Tara’s life was stolen from her in a horrific act of violence. Although this arrest does not bring her back to us, I pray that it will help the Baker family find closure in their healing journey.

The GBI did not say whether Baker knew her killer.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to submit a tip. Anonymous tips can be submitted by phone at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

This browser does not support the video element.