Warning: Talks of human violence, animal violence, murder, and death
No arrest. No motive. Just unanswered questions.
Katherine Janness, who went by Katie, was a 40-year-old Atlanta woman who was brutally murdered on her routine late-night walk with her dog Bowie inside Piedmont Park on July 27-28, 2021. The crime shocked the city then and now, with no arrest or known suspects fours years later.
What Happened:
On July 27, 2021 after dinner with her partner, Katie took their dog Bowie on their routine late-night walk. Her partner and her frequently walked a route in Piedmont Park, so Katie went there. Emma Clark, Katies partner, used a phone-tracking app to locate Katie when she hadn’t returned. Emma had found Katie’s phone first. On July 28, around 1:00 am, Emma found Katie and Bowie dead near 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive entrance to the park.
The Crime Scene:
The Fulton County Medical Examiner ruled Katie’s death a homicide caused by “sharp force injuries” to major organs and blood vessels. Katie was stabbed more than 50 times, with 15 of those wounds being to her head. She had been stabbed in the face, neck, and torso. Her body also showed blunt force injuries and mutilation, with the word “FAT” carved in her torso. This detail raised everyones questions about the attackers motives. Bowie was found stabbed to death nearby.
The Investigation:
The Atlanta Police Department described the scene as “gruesome”and asked for tips immediately. No footage of the actual crime has been made public by investigators, but they did release a surveillance photo of Katie and Bowie before the attack. It is important to not that family and friends reported that some of the security cameras were not working that night. The city later stated that cameras were being upgraded. FBI joined the investigation. Police emphasized that they are actively working leads by focusing on DNA and forensic evidence. They are hoping that scientific advances with bring a break through in the cases. No arrest have been, nor has a motive been publicly confirmed. Law Enforcement continues to ask for the publics assistance. For information leading to an arrest and indictment has been increased to 25,000.
Remembering Katie and Bowie:
Since Katie’s and Bowie’s tragic deaths, a bench honoring the two was placed in Piedmont Park. She will always be remembered as a spirited and well-loved Atlanta resident.
With the investigation still being open, if you have any information contact Atlanta Police Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers Atlanta.
I do hope you enjoyed reading. I work hard to be respectful to the victims and families of the victims. There will be more to come, I just want to take my time researching to get the correct information out to my readers. Thanks for visiting Crime with Lilo! Stay safe and healthy!:)
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