ATHENS, Ga. — The suspect now under arrest in the 23-year-old cold case murder of a University of Georgia law student made his first court appearance on Friday, hearing the nine criminal counts against him read aloud by a judge.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest on Thursday of 48-year-old Edrick Faust in the 2001 killing of Tara Baker.
Faust appeared Friday in court via video conference from jail. He made no comments during the brief proceeding. A judge asked Faust near its conclusion if he had any questions, and he responded: "I do not."
The nine criminal charges against Faust are:
- 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
Malice murder is the most serious murder charge an individual may face in Georgia.
Athens District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez was personally in attendance for the proceeding.
The Magistrate Court judge informed Faust that he was not eligible for bond at this time, as bond can only be granted for his charges by the Superior Court. Faust was told he would be informed when he has a Superior Court date, but that one was not pre-set at this time.
"I don't know when that hearing will be," the judge said, adding that it depends on which Superior Court judge is assigned his case and what that judge's schedule looks like.
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.
Baker's family released the following statement Thursday night regarding the news of an arrest in her cold case:
"While this is a day we have long prayed for, it is not a day without grief and unanswered questions.
Our family is eternally grateful to the Cold Case Unit with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation for their dedication and diligence in bringing us closer to the truth that has eluded us for 23 years.
To all the people who have joined our fight, community and have grown to love Tara we cannot begin to express our gratitude for the outpouring of love and support. We know our Tara held a special place in many hearts.
As we process this new information and forge a path we ask for patience and respect for our family's privacy."
At the time, Baker was a first-year law school student at UGA. She had 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.
"Tara Louise Baker was a hardworking student with a bright future ahead of her," GBI Director Chris Hosey said in a news release. “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. I am proud of the work of the GBI Cold Case Unit and the GBI agents and scientists that devoted their efforts over the last 23 years to find justice for Tara."
I also want to express my gratitude to Athens-Clarke County investigators and members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Georgia State Patrol who have partnered with us in this case," the statement continued. "While this arrest is the first step in finding justice for Tara, there is still more work to be done. The GBI and our partners will never stop fighting for justice for victims and their families."
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.
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.
“For many years, I have hoped the Baker family would find justice for the loss of Tara,” said Jerry Saulters, now chief of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, who was an officer at the crime scene on January 19th, 2001. “This is a case that has lived with me throughout my career at ACCPD. I remember being there during that horrific time. Seeing this case now full circle, I appreciate the hard work of the detectives, from then and now. Knowing that the evidence collected at that time contributed to the arrest today gives me tremendous pride in all the officers who worked this case over the years.”
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