A group of citizens and government officials have joined together to increase the amount of the reward for information regarding the death of University of Georgia law student Tara Louise Baker to $26,000. Individuals and organizations contributing to the reward fund are:

• Governor Roy Barnes of the State of Georgia;
  
• Mayor Doc Eldridge on behalf of the Mayor and all Athens-Clarke County Commissioners;
• the University of Georgia Foundation at the request of President Michael Adams;
• local developer Brian Kemp and his wife Marty;
• Larry Hancock of Hancock Properties.
  

They added their contributions to those previously established by ACC Crime Stoppers, the Office of Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner John Oxendine and Georgia Arson Control.

Governor Roy Barnes issued an executive order on February 21, 2001 offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Baker. Mayor Doc Eldridge and the University of Georgia Foundation also contributed $3,000 each to the reward. Local developer Brian Kemp and his wife Marty added $1,000 and Larry Hancock of Hancock Properties pledged $5,000. The total of new donations is $15,000 and brings the reward to $26,000.

Individuals with information concerning the Baker case can contact Lt. Mark Durham of the Athens-Clarke County Police at (706) 613-3337 or the Georgia Arson Hotline at 1-800-282-5804. Individuals who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (706) 613-3342. Further information on providing crime tips is available on ACTV Channel 7 or the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Web site at www.athensclarkecounty.com.

Baker was found murdered in her home in Athens-Clarke County on January 19, 2001. Her residence was subsequently burned in an effort to conceal the crime.