A Life Full of Promise…
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.
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.
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.
In this season, we cover several persons of interest looked at by the police and a few new folks who people brought to our attention that we could not simply ignore. The question still remains: Who killed Tara Baker? Listen in and please, let us know what conclusion you reach.
The search continues. The fight is not over. We will find the truth— together.
-Cameron Jay
Listen To Season 1: The Story of Tara Louise Baker Now
Help Us.
Do you know something? Anything?
Please reach out to the podcast at classiccitycrime@gmail.com, or please call the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. Whatever you do, speak out. The time is now.
It all begins with one story…that could lead to another, that could lead to the ultimate truth for the Baker family regarding who killed Tara.
Do you have information on a person of interest? Do you feel as though you might know someone who might have been involved? Don’t be afraid to email us. It can be anonymous. I’d love to talk.
-Cameron Jay