A Life Full of Promise…
SOLVED!
SOLVED!
Arrest Made in Tara Baker’s Case: A note from Cameron Jay
Friends,
On May 9th of 2024, news came that Edrick Lamont Faust had been arrested and charged with the 2001 unsolved murder of Tara Louise Baker. My heart was filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the GBI, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, our legislators, Scot Turner of Eternal Vigilance Action, Natasha Bennett, The Coleman Family, and of course- my precious friends, the Baker family and all of you, the Classic City Crime Community. Every single one of these groups and individuals played a role in the passage of the Coleman-Baker Act, and the subsequent break in Tara’s case that led to this arrest.
For those of you new here, please know that our mission was always to tell Tara’s story and to provide a platform for the public to tell their stories. Our goal here was never to accuse anyone nor to solve Tara’s case, but instead to make sure she was never forgotten, to shake the trees to inspire action, and to advocate for a new way forward for cold cases. Together, we accomplished all of that.
There are a few episodes that have been temporarily removed from major platforms, as we work to add disclaimers in light of the arrest. We will not be producing any episodes until the conclusion of the trial, in an effort not to interfere with the legal proceedings, and in order to remain focused on supporting Tara’s family.
Until then, for media inquiries, please contact classiccitycrime@gmail.com. For leads or those with information on this case, please contact the GBI at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
Thank you for supporting our efforts- and for believing that justice could still be found all these years later. I have no doubt that the collective efforts of each of us, combined with the Baker families resilience through the years, have led us to this moment. May the wheels of justice continue to turn, and may the finally bring home #JusticeforTara
With Gratitude,
Cameron Jay
A Mother’s Loss
Virginia Baker lost her daughter Tara Louise Baker on January 19, 2001 when she was brutally murdered in her east Athens Georgia home. 20 years later, her mother still fights and hopes for new leads and continued answers in her daughter’s unsolved homicide.
Virginia became a key component of our podcast’s storytelling journey- helping listeners to understand not only who Tara was as a daughter and a person, but she also helped us to try and grasp the void Tara’s death left in the lives of so many.
Three Determined Siblings.
Meredith, Adam, and Kevin have forever been impacted by the brutal murder of their sister. Throughout Season 1, each of them stepped forward to answer questions of listeners, but also to ask questions of law enforcement. Throughout that process, Meredith was able to finally obtain the autopsy report after nearly 20 years of waiting.
Note: an arrest was made in the case of Tara Louise Baker after 23 years in May of 2024.
Sister Meredith holds a picture of Tara Louise Baker
Meredith was the first person to speak with Classic City Crime.
Brother Adam was closest to Tara in age, away at the time of her murder.
The two enjoyed traveling together, and Adam has served our country in the military.
Kevin, though little then, is now in his thirties, just 10 at the time of his sister’s murder.
He describes his journey over the last 20 years from a unique perspective, often looking up at those around him.
Host Cameron Jay with Virginia and Kevin Baker
Virginia Baker hugs co-producer and podcast designer Kyle Kizziah
The Podcast.
For those of you just finding us. Please note, our podcast was produced week-to-week in real time as we were conducting our work with the Baker family and should be listened to knowing that context. All persons mentioned were those brought up by the media and police 23 years ago. Since the podcast pivoted to advocacy and the Coleman-Baker Act was passed, an arrest has at long last been made in the case of Tara Louise Baker.
When we started this journey, the Baker family and I (Cameron Jay here!) thought it would be a storytelling podcast. Telling the life of Tara Baker so as to make sure she was never forgotten.
What we soon found was that there were tens of tens of people with stories waiting to be heard- some which had been heard by police before, others which had not.
Together, we trusted one another, held one another’s hands, and walked through all the interesting and informative information that came our way.
There were moments which were difficult. As you can imagine, sharing details of her daughter’s murder with Mrs. Virginia was often very hard, but she is strong. And, she required that of me, too.
As you delve into the podcast, I hope you’ll really take a chance to get to know this family. They are so important to my life, and to Kyle (our wonderful co-producers) life.
They have taught our community the true meaning of resilience and grace, even when they have not always been met with grace by law enforcement or in the way of answers.
We now know the person who killed Tara Louise Baker. Edrick Lamont Faust will soon stand trial in Tara Baker’s murder. But, Mrs. Virginia still has that same question she mentioned throughout the podcast- “Why did this happen to my precious Tara?” It is our hope that answer is coming.
The fight is not over. Let us continue to uplift and pray for the family of Tara Louise Baker.
-Cameron Jay
You can still help.
Do you have information related to the arrest of Edrick Faust? You should contact the GBI at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477)
You can always reach out to us at classiccitycrime@gmail.com if we can be of any assistance.