Edrick Lamont Faust: Unraveling A 23-Year Cold Case

Vidal Wisoky 29 Jun 2025

Table of Contents:

Introduction: The Weight of Two Decades
Biographical Sketch: Who is Edrick Lamont Faust?
The Tragedy of Tara Baker: A Cold Case Endures
A Breakthrough After 23 Years: The Role of DNA
The Charges Against Edrick Lamont Faust: A Litany of Offenses
Legal Proceedings and Court Appearances
The Denial of Bond: A Judge's Decision
The Path Forward: Seeking Justice
Conclusion: A Community Awaits Resolution

Introduction: The Weight of Two Decades

The arrest of Edrick Lamont Faust has sent ripples through the community of Athens, Georgia, bringing a long-awaited development in a case that has haunted the region for over two decades. For 23 years, the tragic death of University of Georgia law student Tara Louise Baker remained an unsolved mystery, a chilling reminder of an unthinkable crime. Now, with the charging of Faust, there is a renewed sense of hope that justice, though delayed, may finally be within reach for the victim's family and the community at large.

This article delves into the intricate details surrounding the charges against Edrick Lamont Faust, meticulously exploring the timeline of the investigation, the specific accusations he faces, and the ongoing legal proceedings that are now unfolding in Clarke County Superior Court. It aims to provide a comprehensive and clear overview of a case that captivated the public's attention for generations and underscores the relentless pursuit of truth by law enforcement, even when faced with the immense challenge of the passage of time. The focus here is on understanding the facts as they have been presented, providing valuable insight into a complex and sensitive legal matter.

Biographical Sketch: Who is Edrick Lamont Faust?

Edrick Lamont Faust, identified at the time of his arrest as a 48-year-old resident of Athens, Georgia, has been thrust into the national spotlight as the accused in one of the state's most enduring and heartbreaking cold cases. While specific personal details about his life beyond his age and place of residence are not extensively publicized in the context of these grave charges, official court records and statements from law enforcement agencies paint a significant picture of his background: a documented and extensive criminal history within the Athens area. This history, though not detailed in terms of specific past offenses, suggests a pattern of prior legal entanglements and interactions with the justice system.

His appearance in court for various hearings, dressed in standard attire, marked a stark and public contrast to the quiet passage of more than two decades since the crime he is now accused of committing. The fact that a suspect has been identified after such a long period is a testament to the persistence of investigators and the evolution of forensic science. The focus, however, remains squarely on the profound and serious accusations Edrick Lamont Faust now faces in connection with the 2001 slaying of Tara Louise Baker, a case that has profoundly impacted the community and the victim's loved ones.

Personal Data & Known Information:

Category	Detail
Full Name	Edrick Lamont Faust
Age (at time of arrest)	48 years old
Residence	Athens, Georgia
Known History	Extensive criminal history in Athens, Georgia.
Accused Of	Murder of Tara Louise Baker (2001), along with multiple other felonies.

The Tragedy of Tara Baker: A Cold Case Endures

The year 2001 brought unspeakable sorrow and a profound sense of loss to Athens, Georgia, with the tragic death of Tara Louise Baker. Baker, a promising and vibrant 23-year-old University of Georgia law student, had her life abruptly and violently cut short at her home on Fawn Court. Her death immediately became a high-profile cold case, a mystery that lingered for more than two decades, casting a long and somber shadow over the community and leaving her family and friends grappling with unimaginable grief and unanswered questions. The brutality of the crime and the victim's status as a young, aspiring legal professional only amplified the public's desire for justice.

For years, dedicated investigators from various agencies worked tirelessly, but despite their efforts, definitive leads eventually went cold. The absence of an identified suspect meant that the individual responsible for this heinous crime walked free, while the memory of Tara Baker and the profound injustice of her death remained a painful, open wound for all who knew her and for the wider Athens community. The specific circumstances of the crime, including the location and the nature of the injuries, fueled public concern and reinforced the unwavering determination of law enforcement to one day bring the perpetrator to justice, no matter how much time passed. The inherent challenges of solving cold cases, such as fading memories, degrading evidence, and difficulty in locating witnesses, made the resolution of Tara Baker's case seem increasingly unlikely, yet the commitment to her memory and to securing justice never truly wavered among the dedicated professionals involved.

A Breakthrough After 23 Years: The Role of DNA

After 23 long and agonizing years, the silence surrounding Tara Baker's death was finally broken, bringing a profound sense of relief and renewed hope to many. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), a leading investigative agency in the state, announced a monumental development: the identification and charging of a suspect in this decades-old case. This breakthrough was not the result of a sudden confession or a newly discovered eyewitness account, but rather the culmination of meticulous and persistent application of modern forensic science, with DNA testing playing an absolutely pivotal role.

DNA testing, which was crucial in solving the cold case, provided the undeniable link that connected Edrick Lamont Faust to the 2001 crime. Over the past two decades, significant advances in forensic technology have revolutionized cold case investigations. These advancements allow for the re-examination of old evidence with new, far more sensitive techniques than were available at the time of the original investigation. In many instances, minute samples of biological material, once deemed insufficient for analysis, can now yield powerful and precise genetic profiles that lead directly to breakthroughs. This scientific leap provided the critical piece of the puzzle that law enforcement needed to confidently identify Edrick Lamont Faust as the alleged perpetrator, ultimately leading to his arrest and the array of serious charges he now faces. The unwavering persistence of GBI agents in pursuing this avenue of investigation, even after so many years, stands as a testament to their dedication to resolving long-standing mysteries and bringing closure to victims' families.

The Charges Against Edrick Lamont Faust: A Litany of Offenses

The accusations leveled against Edrick Lamont Faust are extensive and exceptionally severe, reflecting the grave and multifaceted nature of the crime he is alleged to have committed. State and county investigators have charged him with multiple, serious offenses directly in connection to Tara Baker’s tragic death in 2001. These charges, meticulously compiled through years of investigation, paint a grim and disturbing picture of the events that transpired and underscore the alleged brutality and deliberate actions involved in the crime.

Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault

Among the primary and most serious charges, Edrick Lamont Faust is accused of murder and two counts of felony murder. In Georgia law, felony murder is a particularly grave charge, meaning that a person caused the death of another while in the commission of a separate felony, even if they did not specifically intend to directly kill the victim. This legal principle significantly broadens the scope of culpability, holding individuals responsible for deaths that occur during the commission of other serious crimes. The inclusion of two counts suggests multiple underlying felonies that led to the victim's death. Additionally, Faust faces a charge of aggravated assault, which indicates that the alleged attack on Tara Baker involved an intent to murder, rape, or rob, or that it involved the use of a deadly weapon, resulting in serious bodily injury to the victim. These charges immediately establish the alleged violent and life-threatening nature of the encounter.

Concealing Death and Arson

Further charges against Edrick Lamont Faust include concealing the death of another and arson. The charge of concealing the death of another strongly suggests that deliberate efforts were made to hide or dispose of Baker's body or to obscure the circumstances of her demise, indicating a conscious attempt to evade detection and accountability. The inclusion of arson implies that a fire was intentionally set, likely at Baker’s home on Fawn Court, where the crime occurred. This act of arson could have been an attempt to destroy crucial evidence, further obscure the true circumstances of her death, or both. These charges add significant layers to the narrative of the crime, pointing towards a calculated and desperate effort to cover up the alleged actions and mislead investigators.

Tampering and Aggravated Sodomy

The list of charges against Edrick Lamont Faust continues with tampering with evidence and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony. Tampering with evidence is a charge frequently brought when an individual attempts to alter, destroy, or hide physical evidence related to a crime, further supporting the theory of a deliberate cover-up and an attempt to obstruct justice. The charge of possession of a knife during the commission of a felony directly implicates a weapon in the alleged crime, suggesting a violent and potentially brutal encounter. Perhaps most disturbing and horrific is the inclusion of one count of aggravated sodomy, which points to a sexual assault preceding or accompanying the murder. This charge adds another profoundly tragic and violent dimension to the accusations against Edrick Lamont Faust, highlighting the alleged extreme brutality of the crime. These numerous charges collectively present a comprehensive and chilling account of the alleged crime, reflecting the severe nature of the accusations and the potential complexities of the upcoming legal proceedings.

Legal Proceedings and Court Appearances

The legal journey for Edrick Lamont Faust commenced swiftly with his arrest and subsequent initial appearances in court, marking the official beginning of a long and complex judicial process. On a Thursday, state and county investigators publicly confirmed that Edrick Lamont Faust, 48, had been arrested and was facing a multitude of severe charges directly connected to Tara Baker’s death, including felony murder and aggravated assault. His first appearance for the January 2001 death was a critical procedural step, formally notifying him of the specific charges against him and outlining his rights.

Faust appeared in an arraignment on a specific date in August (as per court records), which serves as a formal reading of the charges and provides the accused with an opportunity to enter a plea—guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Subsequently, he appeared in court for a pretrial hearing, a crucial phase where the groundwork for a potential trial

Ardella Edrick

Edrick Lamont Faust, charged in Tara Baker killing, booked into jail

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