Farah Baquer Honored with Harris County's 2nd 'We Remember Memorial'
HARRIS COUNTY, TX – In November 1994, Farah Baquer, a beloved mother of three was gunned down outside her home in Atascocita, Texas. Her life was taken by a senseless act of violence orchestrated by her estranged husband who hired a hit man to kill her.
In memory of Farah’s life and in advocacy for the countless victims of crime, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s Office and Crime Stoppers of Houston dedicated Harris County’s 2nd We Remember Memorial Bench at I.T. May Park.
“I have worked with Farah’s family for over 30 years to improve the lives of so many survivors of homicide. By having a memorial bench in her honor, we will ensure her legacy will continue to inspire us. Farah’s parents Lex and Betty Baquer were prominent members of Parents of Murdered Children. They fought tirelessly seeking justice for their daughter and so many others. Farah’s impact will never be forgotten. On behalf of the family of Farah Baquer we deeply thank Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey for this memorial bench in her honor.” said Crime Stoppers of Houston Director of Victim Services & Advocacy Andy Kahan.
Through the We Remember Memorial Project, benches and trees will be placed throughout select Precinct 3 parks each year to increase awareness of homicide victims and their cases. This is also a part of Commissioner Ramsey's commitment to increasing safety in neighborhoods and advocating for victims of violent crimes and their families.
“We’ll see to it that Farah’s beautiful life and her legacy as a daughter and mother will live far beyond that of her perpetrators,” said Commissioner Ramsey. “Her story deserves to be told, and is a reminder that loved ones, like Lex and Betty, will never stop until justice is served. In Precinct 3, we consider them part of our family.”
Three people were ultimately charged in her murder plot. In May 1996, her husband Bob Fratta was charged and sentenced to death for her murder. Following Bob Fratta's sentencing, Joseph Prystash and Howard Guidry stood trial, and both were also found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to death. They are still awaiting execution on death row, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Bob Fratta was executed by lethal injection on January 10, 2023.
Crime Stoppers of Houston remains committed to its mission to solve and prevent serious crimes in the Greater Houston Area and works closely with citizens, media, and the criminal justice system.
While this case has been solved, Crime Stoppers continues to work with many families on advocacy efforts to ensure the full punishment is achieved.
As a reminder, anyone with information on any unsolved homicides that occurred in the Greater Houston Area is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS. For more information about the We Remember Memorial Project, visit www.pct3.com/We-Remember-Memorial.
