Friends of the Baquer family were present at the dedication of the memorial bench and tree planting in I. T. May Park in Huffman.
By David Taylor / Managing Editor
Patrons to I. T. May Park in Huffman will discover a new bench. Attached to it is the memory and story of a beloved mother of three who was gunned down outside her home in Atascocita. Farah Baquer’s life was cut short by a senseless act of violence orchestrated by her estranged husband Bob Fratta 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, in partnership with Crime Stoppers Houston dedicated Harris County’s 2nd ‘We Remember’ Memorial Bench at I. T. May Park.
“So often you hear about everybody but the victim,” said Ramsey at the bench dedication. “I’ve had the unfortunate opportunity to meet over 150 such victims, but I’ve also had the pleasure to meet the victims’ families. It’s the victims’ families that that really do inspire me.”
The story dates back to 1994 when the murder for hire story grabbed the headlines for months. Her husband, who concocted the plot to kill his wife, was convicted of murder and received the death penalty.
Fratta was executed by lethal injection on January 10, 2023, after his appeals against the conviction failed. The remaining two killers, Joseph Prystash and Howard Guidry, remain on death row at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit.
One of Baquer’s three children is now a pilot and lives in Kingwood with two children of his own.
“It’s inspiring to see how children can overcome, to see how families can overcome,” Ramsey said.
Baquer left behind three children, Bradley, age seven, Daniel six and Amber four.
There’s a bench now where patrons to the park and friends of the family can come and reflect. There’s a QR code on the sign next to the bench where they can actually learn more about the family and the story behind the family.
“More than anything, (this is) to encourage the family of the victims and let them know that there’s other folks out here that want to not only know their story but encourage them. That’s why we have a QR code on the sign that will tell the story. And in some cases, like in the previous one we did, the perpetrator has not been caught, and so the QR code is being used to help hopefully get information, and hopefully one day that person will be brought to justice,” Ramsey said.
The We Remember Memorial Project aims to honor victims of homicide and raise awareness about the importance of victim advocacy. As part of the initiative, memorial installations will be established in all 72 parks within Precinct 3. Each installation will feature a memorial bench and a tree, thoughtfully provided by Precinct 3. These sites are being unveiled during public ceremonies accompanied by media coverage, highlighting the vital need for victim support and connecting families with valuable resources and organizations.
Andy Kahan, director of victim services at Crime Stoppers of Houston, spoke about Farah’s parents and their advocacy after the death of their daughter.
“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,” Kahan said.
Her oldest son, Bradley, appreciated the memorial.
“A place we can come to for peace in a beautiful park to cherish her memory. Our family is thankful for the community, and everyone involved in her honor,” said Brad Baquer.
“They’re to be remembered, they’re to be talked about,” Kahan said. “They’re not just simply, you know, something that gets swept away and forgotten about. I have a saying that I’ve always said that crime victims are the only unwilling participants in the criminal justice system.”
Ramsey said this bench wouldn’t be the last.
“We have 73 parks, and we’ve got plenty of benches. Unfortunately, there’s also a lot of victim stories that need to be told. I’m sure that does help with the families,” he said.
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.
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