ATLANTA — The family of Tara Baker, a University of Georgia law student who was brutally killed in 2001, spoke out on Monday after a recent arrest made in connection to her death.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced last week the arrest of 48-year-old Edrick Faust in connection to her killing.
At a news conference on Monday, GBI Director Chris Hosey said for over two decades, investigators had been working tirelessly to find answers for Tara Baker's family and friends.
"With an arrest in this investigation last week, it is my prayer that this process has begun," GBI Director Chris Hosey said Monday. "The recent events in the Tara Baker investigation also send a strong message that justice has no expiration and law enforcement in this state... will never stop seeking answers to these tragic events."
Tara Baker's mother, Virginia Baker, reflected on the past 23 years and who Tara would've become.
"Please think of our Tara sometimes and the remarkable person she would have become. Hers was a life so full of promise," Virginia Baker said.
Tara Baker's sister, Meredith Baker Schroeder, also addressed Faust's recent arrest.
"The past few days have been filled with a host of convoluted emotions as if it were 23 years ago, we grieve. We grieve for Tara. We grieve for those we lost along the way, still waiting for answers. We grieve for the new generation that never will truly understand how amazing their aunt Tara was," Schroeder said. "And we grieve for the Faust family. While we understand that this is the first step of many, we are grateful for this day."
Schroeder and Virginia Baker said they know a trial will be a long road ahead, but they're ultimately hoping for justice for Tara.
"Our lives were forever changed and then innocence lost through the acts of heinous, senseless violence. We have waited for days, weeks, months and ultimately 23 years for answers," Schroeder added. "During that time, the candle for hope-- truth and strength we carried in our hearts grew dimmer."
In September 2023, the GBI Cold Case Unit partnered with Athens-Clarke County Police to conduct an in-depth review and analysis of the investigation into Baker’s death. Then, in April 2023, Gov. Brian Kemp signed HB88-- the Coleman-Baker Act into law. It now lets families of homicide victims request law enforcement agencies to review cold cases.
"This bill was not for us; it was Tara's legacy. She was the champion for so many during her life. I'll be it short and through this law, she would continue to help others," Schroeder said.
You can watch Monday's full news conference in the video below:
More on the case
In 2001, the 23-year-old law student from East Point was found dead inside her burned apartment off Fawn Drive in Athens around 11:20 a.m. The police determined the fire was set on purpose and ruled her death a homicide.
At the time, Baker was a first-year law school student at UGA. She graduated from Lovejoy High School in East Point and enrolled in undergraduate studies at Georgia College in Milledgeville.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Baker was seen by a friend outside the library around 7:30 p.m. on the night of Jan. 18. That same friend got a call just about two hours later from Baker - who was still at the library - asking her if she had made it home safe.
Baker said she planned to leave the library around 10 p.m. That was the last time she was ever heard from.
The case had gone cold for years but received new life in 2021 thanks to the Classic City Crime podcast, which highlights crimes in Athens, Georgia, according to the creators.
Following last week's arrest, Faust now faces nine criminal charges:
- Felony murder (2 counts)
- Malice murder
- Aggravated assault
- Possession of a knife during the commission of a crime
- Aggravated sodomy
- Concealing the death of another person
- Tampering with evidence
- First-degree arson