The man accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a Georgia law student and then setting her apartment on fire more than two decades ago will remain behind bars as his case proceeds, according to Fox 5.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, police in Athens on Thursday announced they had made a break in the case involving 23-year-old Tara Louise Baker, who was found dead on January 21, 2001.
Authorities allege that Edrick Lamont Faust, now 48, is responsible for killing Baker, then a student at the University of Georgia School of Law.
Faust has been charged with murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence, and aggravated sodomy.
Police believe Baker died between 9:45 p.m. January 18 and 11:30 a.m. January 19.
Investigators said they began pursuing Faust after conducting an in-depth review beginning in September. He was not considered a suspect until just nine days before his arrest, the Athens Banner-Herald reports.
Faust was booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail and he has been denied bond, meaning he must stay in jail during the prosecution of the charges against him, according to Fox 5.
“Tara Louise Baker was a hardworking student with a bright future ahead of her,” Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said in a written statement, according to Fox News.
“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.”
Baker would have turned 24 years old the day after the discovery of her body. She had graduated cum laude in 1998 from Georgia College.
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[Feature Photo: Tara Louise Baker/Georgia Bureau of Investigation]
