Unsolved Murders
Tara Louise Baker: On Jan. 19, 2001, University of Georgia law school student Tara Louise Baker, above, 23, was found dead in her burning apartment at 160 Fawn Drive.
Headlines in the case:
-- Student slain/Body found in burned home (Jan. 20, 2001)
-- No solid suspect yet in murder-arson (Jan. 21, 2001)
-- Police think student didn't know killer/Absence from class cause for concern (Jan. 21, 2001)
-- Counselors to meet with slain student's classmates/Police continue to seek break in murder-arson (Jan. 22, 2001)
-- Unsolved killings shock Athens/Student injured multiple times, incapacitated when fire set (Jan. 23, 2001)
-- Classes canceled for student's funeral (Jan. 24, 2001)
-- Task force formed to investigate student's slaying (Feb. 8, 2001)
-- Few answers in student's murder/Questions linger a month after Tara Baker was killed (Feb. 18, 2001)
-- Reward grows in student slaying/Police ask for help (March 3, 2001)
-- Friends still remembering a woman 'too good to be true' (March 4, 2001)
-- Despite reward, few leads/Increase brings no break in slaying (March 9, 2001)
-- Unsolved murder trails grow colder (March 18, 2001)
-- Police still working on Baker killing (April 14, 2001)
-- Baker remembered at law school service (April 23, 2001)
-- Police try new tactics in Baker murder case/Hair tests, expert sought in hopes of breaking case (July 19, 2001)
Links to above news stories are attainable at :
http://www.onlineathens.com/news/police/unsolved.shtml
The University of Georgia Law School student was petite, blonde, vivacious and dreamt of an antebellum wedding. She enrolled in advanced placement courses in high school, registered for the harder college classes most students avoid, and refused to be marginal. In three years, she completed her undergraduate studies Cum Laude with a 3.75 GPA in Paralegal Services and Political Science. She was an admired older sister, a cherished member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, a safety-conscious friend-and she was murdered.
On Jan. 19, 2001, at approximately 11:20 a.m., firefighters responded to a fire on Fawn Drive located on the east side of Athens. After extinguishing the flames, Tara Louise Baker's body was discovered. Police believe the fire was set to destroy any evidence that may have remained.
Information about the murder was slowly released to the public. A witness's account of a man in a white T-shirt running from the area the morning of the murder was not released until one year later. While the case remains open, Tara's murderer remains free.
"She was the safest person I knew. She never left a door unlocked. Our last conversation was about checking in with each other when I walked home alone," says Katherine Lahnstein, Tara's friend and classmate. Because there was no evidence of forced entry, Tara's parents and close friends believe she knew her killer.
But who would want to kill Tara? This is not the first time Tara's parents have asked this question. They describe their daughter by the innumerable lives she touched, the value of her friendship, the light in her smile - all that was stolen when her life was taken on that January morning three years ago.
A proud father, Mr. Baker beams as he looks through a warped, soot-covered photo album that survived the fire and remarks on his daughter's smile. "In some of these pictures, it just comes out and bites you," he says. It is true. Mrs. Baker points to the tiny creases in Tara's nose in the pictures where she is smiling the largest and notes that was the tell-tale sign. "When Tara really liked somebody, she smiled so much it was enough to wrinkle her nose," she syas.
Looking through pages of partially melted and misshapen pictures, there are scenes of Tara's family, sorority date nights and birthday celebrations with friends. But, the last few years of her short life are revealed through her parents.
"She kept everything," says Mr. Baker, as he pulls out a basket of letters and cards, some dating as far back as a 1985 birthday card from her grandmother. "She called them sentimental pieces of love," he says. Unfortunately, everything salvaged from Tara's apartment could fit into two shoeboxes.
Jack Hancock, a lawyer and previous employer of Tara's, spoke at her funeral. He had never seen someone so young and dedicated to her long-term plans and goals. "She was making those goals a reality for her life," says Hancock.
Tara diligently worked toward her dream of becoming a judge. Mrs. Baker recalls her firmness toward law. "There were no gray areas for Tara. Right was right, and wrong was wrong. She would have made a great judge. Tara's life was all about justice," she says.
According to Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Joseph Lumpkin, the case is still open. "I continue to hope and pray that we will bring to justice the murderer of Ms. Tara Baker. I know this senseless murder remains a priority of the ACC Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation," says Lumpkin.
According to Captain James Williams of the ACC Police Department, there is frequent consultation with other law enforcement agencies and intelligence organizations as well. "We are looking for any links that might surface to other incidents that may have occurred in other localities. This case remains a high priority for our Division," says Williams.
Tara's death is one of 25 unsolved murders since 1991, reports ACC Major Allan Brown. Yet, Tara is not the only UGA student that has been murdered. In 1992, Jennifer Stone was found strangled in her Hull Street apartment. Her killer also remains free.
The Baker's continue their campaign to educate the public on Tara's life and untimely death. A $27,000 reward awaits anyone with information identifying the killer. New posters have been designed, and Lamar Advertising has once again replaced the billboard on Lexington Road.
Paine Insurance and Realty Co. is one of the few businesses in Athens that still displays the reward poster. "This shouldn't be forgotten. We feel that it was such a horrible crime, and we want people to see the poster and remember," says Ellen Hendrix of Paine Insurance and Co.
Other efforts are being made to ensure that Tara is not forgotten. Barbara Patrie, Tara's maternal grandmother, made a sizable donation and spearheaded fundraising for the Tara Baker Memorial Scholarship. However, before scholarships are awarded, UGA requires that funds equal at least $25,000 and generate interest for 36 months, according to Phyllis Cooke, the director of annual giving for The UGA School of Law.
Several of Tara's classmates requested that a recipient not be named until after their graduation in May 2003. Although all contributions of the class of 2003 gift campaign were presented in Tara's memory, members could allocate donations to the fund or opt for other uses. In January 2002, the scholarship surpassed the minimum balance requirements when it reached $29,000. In January 2004, it totaled $39,985, reports Cooke. "This year, we plan to announce a scholarship recipient during the spring awards," says Cooke. Despite monetary gain, it will be awarded from a donation from Mrs. Patrie rather than the scholarship fund due to the low amount of interest earned.
Still, Tara's parents ask what they can do to help other students. By encouraging discussion about the tragic loss of Tara's life, the Baker's offer advice to anyone who will listen.
Mr. Baker urges students, "Get to know your neighbors and their usual schedules. Know which vehicles belong in your neighborhood. You don't know who could be a bad guy. Realize that every time you let someone in your house or your car, you are trusting that person with your life."
For cases where information and education may be too late, Keith Sims, the executive director of Safe Campuses Now, is assisting in the creation of a strong support system for families who are called to Athens because of emergency situations. The goal is to provide a support system of religious leaders, counselors, and medical staff to help families in trauma. "A support system is needed for families of victims," says Mrs. Baker.
The Baker's frequently find flowers and letters at Tara's grave. Tara's former roommate left her bridal bouquet; Tara introduced the couple. Most often, they find angels. Tara was extremely vigilant during her abbreviated life. Her family is certain that she is now their guardian angel.
ACC Police Sergeant Mike Tyndell is the primary investigator for the Tara Baker case. If you have any information related to this case, contact Sergeant Tyndell at (706) 613-3888 extension 306.
"Our family wants closure," says Mrs. Baker, "We want justice for Tara."
A site dedicated to Tara Louise Baker, her short life, and the ongoing investigation of her brutal murder.