Now that a few of the murders, myths, and mysteries of Union County have been covered, we can move onto a few of the murders, myths, and mysteries of Georgia! Some of them, I am sure many of you have heard about, while others you may have not, but nonetheless, they are all pretty intriguing stories! Let’s get to them!

 

Crime Map

 

 

 

The Atlanta Child Murders: A Haunting Chapter And Mystery In Georgia’s History

For nearly 2 years, between 1979 and 1981, Atlanta, Georgia was gripped by a wave of terror as 29 children and young adults were murdered, a tragedy that would come to be known as the Atlanta Child Murders. The victims, predominantly African American boys and young men, disappeared from various neighborhoods throughout the area. Their bodies were often found near Atlanta Public Schools and the Chattahoochee River(This interactive map link attached will require an AJC subscription!), which still brings back the chilling memories of those dark times. The community was plagued with fear as parents worried for their children’s safety, and the investigation unfolded with increasing urgency. During the spree, many citizens seemed to believe that the police response was inadequate, fueled by systemic racial tensions and a lack of resources. In total, during this horrific spree, a whopping 28 children and/or young adults were found murdered. In 1982, a suspect by the name of Wayne Williams, a 23-year-old, was arrested and convicted for two of the murders, but questions remained about his involvement in the larger pattern of killings. The lack of closure for the families and the community led to ongoing speculation and theories about the true identity of the killer. Could Wayne Williams have possibly been framed? Aside from this man, an alleged near victim, many others truly believe so. In recent years, the case has been reopened, rekindling hopes for justice and closure. Advances in forensic technology and renewed interest in the victims’ stories have led advocates to push for a thorough re-examination of the evidence. As investigators dig deeper, one question lingers, “Will the truth behind the Atlanta Child Murders finally come to light?”. The haunting legacy of this tragedy continues to resonate and seeks many to find the answers and remember those who were lost. If you’d like to see CNN’s documentary on this case, be sure to check out this link!

 

 

The Death Mysteries of Diane Shields and Mary Shotwell Little

The unsolved murders of Diane Shields and Mary Shotwell Little have always intrigued me for a myriad of reasons. Not only for their outcomes tragic, but there were also many eerie connections that seem to bind them together. Both women vanished under mysterious circumstances in the 1960s, leaving behind a trail of questions that still captivate true crime enthusiasts today. Diane Shields disappeared on May 19, 1965, sometime after 5 P.M. after leaving her job in her blue and white Chevy Impala from the Citizens and Southern Bank in Downtown Atlanta. Her friends described her as vibrant and full of life, and a promising young woman with a bright future ahead. Yet, in an instant and out of nowhere, she became a statistic of murder, her case sinking into a mystery as time marched on. Her body was discovered around 2:30 A.M. at a dry-cleaning business in East Point, GA on Sylvan Road. Her car was found parked at the drive-in window of the business and blood was found dripping from her car. The keys were still in the ignition, and when they opened the trunk of the car, they found her body stuffed upside down between a spare tire and cardboard box. Sadly, she had just been recently engaged and was set to get married, but that day never came. Also, when found, she was still wearing her engagement ring, and was found with a piece of paper and a scarf stuffed down her throat. However, with details like these, you’d expect sexual assault to have been involved, but oddly enough, she was fully dressed and had neither been robbed nor sexually assaulted. Unfortunately, it was clear that she had met a violent end. The details surrounding her murder were pretty horrifying, but even more sad than that was the aftermath given that there were no arrests, no clear suspects, and just a community left grappling with a tragedy that seemed to defy understanding or reasoning. Fast forward to October 14th, 1965, when Mary Shotwell Little, another young woman, vanished from Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta. As her story goes, she left her job at Citizens and Southern Bank in Downtown Atlanta to go meet her friend, Ila, at the mall for dinner at the S & S Cafeteria and to go shopping. Before meeting with Ila, Mary first stopped to go grocery shopping at Colonial Grocery at the mall for an upcoming dinner party the next evening. Eventually, after dinner at S&S Cafeteria, she and Ila both went shopping at Rich’s Department Store. At around 8 P.M., she and Ila said their goodbyes, and off they went in their different directions. This was the last time that she was seen. The next day, after not coming in for work, her work boss became concerned as she never came in and it was not in her character to do so without a heads up. She was always on time, and always at work. At the time, her husband, Roy, was out of town for work and had also not heard from her. When they didn’t find her at home either, they then found her car in the yellow 32 section of the parking lot around noon. In the car were the groceries that she had bought in the back seat and blood drenched women’s undergarments found stuffed in between the front 2 seats. There were also specks of blood found on the interior and exterior of her car. There was still no trace of Mary Shotwell Little. Security guards at the mall also noted that when doing their rounds of checking the mall’s parking lots that they had not seen the car there during the morning time. So, the car had to have recently been moved. About 1 month later, her credit card showed activity at gas stations in Charlotte(Her hometown) and Raleigh, NC. Ironically, the signatures on both receipts both matched her handwriting. 2 attendants from the gas stations also noted that they had seen a distressed woman come in with a man. Tragically, her body has never been found to this day. Turns out, Mary’s case had striking similarities to Diane’s. Both women were in the prime of their lives, both were beautiful young women, both worked at the same place(Diane Shields actually took the place of Mary Shotwell Little and sat at her very same desk following her murder), they both had common roommates, they both oddly received roses from unknown senders(which I forgot to mention), and both became victims of violent crime.  Due to all of the odd similarities, the fear of a serial predator lurked in the background, fueling speculation that the two cases might be linked. Investigators and prime detectives alike have long wondered whether Diane’s and Mary’s fates were connected. Was there a predator stalking young women in Atlanta? The sheer randomness of their disappearances left an unsettling mark on the city, still having been talked about through the decades. While theories remain, no definitive answers have surfaced. Will we ever truly know what happened to Diane Shields and Mary Shotwell Little, and will we ever really know who was responsible for their death and disappearance? For a deeper look into this case, I highly recommend listening to the 5 Roses Podcast!

 

The Mystery of Katherine Janness: A Case of Shadows and Silence

This one hits close to home, literally. Just about 1-2 miles away from me here at my apartmentt in Atlanta sits Atlanta’s favorite park(or at least my favorite Atlanta Park), Piedmont Park. It’s often crowded with large crowds of people visiting the city, locals going for their walks or runs, and just an overall safe feeling spot. A spot that feels so safe that murder happening there seems almost impossible. Unfortunately, however, it’s not. So, we learned back on July 28, 2021. I had just moved down to Atlanta nearly 3 months earlier and constantly frequented this park, and the last story I expected to hear was the discovery of the body of Katherine Janness. More gruesome than just hearing that she was murdered at Piedmont Park was how she was murdered. Brutally, and in a very sick fashion. She was stabbed over 50 times in the face, neck, and torso. The letters F-A-T were found carved into her torso when her body was found. Whoever killed her, also killed her dog, Bowie. Their bodies were discovered about 100 miles inside the 10th Street gate entrance of the park, which eerily enough, I walk past all the time without a clue of where the bodies were actually found and often wonder about(I also wonder where this new bench was placed in their memories). Who would do such a thing to Janness and her dog, and why? Could this have possibly been a hate crime since she was lesbian, and given the traces of hate that seemed left behind the killer? These questions still remain as no one has ever been arrested for her murder, with no suspects or leads in sight. At the time of her murder, she was dating her wife, Emma Clark. Clark stated that the last time that she saw her girlfriend was when she headed out for her late-night walk with their dog, Bowie. Clark was questioned, but eventually was cleared as a suspect. Aggravating enough as it is that there is no suspect yet, some of the security cameras at Piedmont Park were not even on, leaving little chance of finding a possible suspect on camera. However, some footage near the 10th Street gate entrance that she and Bowie were found near did show up with others seen passing by, although no one really may be able to identify who they were. Katherine Janness was also a Midtown local who worked as a bartender nearby the park at Campagnolo, an Italian restaurant and bar on Piedmont Avenue. She also worked Whole World Improv Theatre on Spring Street. With this said, she was seemingly popular or at least well-known to other Midtown residents who frequented her places of work. Before I conclude, while I do not want to make someone a suspect, I do remember this happening, and wondering if this man in the video could have ever been responsible, given he was doing this not even 1 month after the murder of Katherine Janness. I still even wonder if he was ever questioned about it as well? Nonetheless, the prime questions that still remain are who did it and why did they do it? We may never know, but hopefully with the advanced technology we have today, we eventually will.

 

 

The Chilling Case of Levi Frady: A Disappearance That Still Haunts Georgia

On October 23rd,1997, the disappearance of 11-year-old Levi Frady in Forsyth County, Georgia, sent shockwaves through the community. The day before, October 22nd, would be the last known day he was seen. Last seen leaving a friend’s house after a day of playing and jumping on the trampoline with his friends, Levi Frady got on his bike and headed back to his home about 1 mile away like he had done hundreds of times before. Tragically, though, he never made it back home. According to reports that I’ve read, before heading back home, he went with the first friend he had been hanging out with to see another friend’s house, and while there, tried calling his mother to see if he could go out for dinner with them. That friend’s mother also called and could not reach Levi’s mother. Apparently, she had not gotten back home from work during one of the first phone calls, and on the last phone call he made, he finally reached his sister who was told by her mother(while in the bath) to tell Levi to get home. He was supposed to be back by 7 P.M. that very evening, but again, he never showed up. It was beginning to turn dark, and Levi was supposedly afraid of the dark, so his mother began to become worried. She picks up the phone to make a call to the home of the 2nd friend and he isn’t there either. Levi’s mom and Levi’s sister then jump into their car, riding local roads, and supposedly, the sister saw Levi’s bike. Strangely enough, instead of calling the police at this time, Levi’s mother instead assumes that he is with another friend at their home and he will show back up. By around 2 A.M on October 23rd, however, his mother notices that he is still not home. Eventually, she called the cops, a cop comes out and finds the bike and his shoe prints in the nearby dew, and foul play is suspected. Tragically, around 2 P.M. supposedly, Levi’s body is found by hunters in neighboring Dawson County, GA in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area with 2 gunshot wounds to the chest, and another to the head. Levi’s case quickly drew attention not just for its tragic nature, but also for the unsettling details that emerged. Authorities initially questioned several suspects, mainly that being close friends, acquaintances, and family members. Unfortunately, still today, the case remains unsolved. With advancements in forensic technology and the potential for new witnesses to come forward, could the mystery of Levi Frady’s murder still be solved today? The haunting question lingers: Who truly took Levi’s life, and why has justice eluded him for so long? May we one day find out!

 

 

The Mysterious Death of Kendrick Johnson: Accident or Cover-Up?

This is one of those stories that honestly raises my blood pressure, and to be honest, if you care about justice being served and get mad when its not served, then your blood pressure should/will probably rise too. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t know for a fact or without a reasonable doubt that someone killed Kendrick Johnson, but I’d be willing to bet my bottom dollar on it! In January 2013, Kendrick Johnson, a 17-year-old student from Valdosta, Georgia, was found dead in a gymnasium at Lowndes High School, his body rolled up in a wrestling mat. Initially ruled an accident, the circumstances surrounding his death have sparked widespread suspicion and controversy, leading many to believe that a darker truth lies beneath the surface. For starters, since following this case, I have learned that 2 kids, Brian and Branden Bell, accused of the possible murder were the children of an FBI agent. Another suspicious piece of information is that when the first autopsy was done, results said that Johnson died from asphyxiation. However, when Johnson’s family requested the 2nd autopsy, Johnson’s body was exhumed, and results then showed that he died from blunt force trauma, consistent to the right side of Johnson’s head and neck. Even worse? They found that his organs had been removed and his body had been stuffed with newspapers, WITHOUT THE FAMILY’S CONSENT!!! Is your blood pressure as high as mine yet?! Johnson’s family still contends that he was murdered, pointing to several troubling inconsistencies in the official narrative. Key evidence, such as security footage(This is all footage that I’ve been able to find), was mysteriously missing, and even other witnesses reported seeing Kendrick in conflict with those 2 fellow students shortly before his death. The family’s relentless pursuit of justice has obviously revealed a troubling pattern of potential cover-ups by law enforcement and school officials. As new details continue to emerge, including allegations of racial bias and unanswered questions about the investigation, one cannot help but wonder: Was Kendrick Johnson truly a victim of a tragic accident, or has a more sinister reality been deliberately concealed? Since the murder, the Johnson Family has continued to fight to keep the case open. The haunting mystery of his death challenges us all to question the narratives we accept and the truths we uncover.

 

 

The Unraveling Mystery of Tara Grinstead

The story of Tara Grinstead has captivated many, especially since the release of the “Up and Vanished” podcast, which reignited interest in her unsolved case(The first ever podcast that I listened to and what made me a fan of podcasts-If you haven’t heard this one, I encourage you to!). And just because I really want to push those of you reading onto this particular podcast because it makes learning about this case even more intriguing, I am going to only write so much about this case and let the podcast do the rest. This story truly is WILD! For those unfamiliar, Tara was a beloved high school teacher and former beauty queen who mysteriously disappeared from her home in Ocilla, Georgia, on October 22nd, 2005. Her sudden absence sent shockwaves through the small, tight-knit community, leaving friends and family desperate for answers. Listening to the podcast, I was struck by how it transformed a cold case into a progressively unraveling mystery that drew in listeners nationwide, including myself. The sharp and articulate storytelling not only highlighted Tara’s vibrant life, but also the chilling details of her disappearance. The podcaster, Payne Lindsey, effectively combined investigative journalism with personal accounts, making the case feel immediate and urgent. What truly resonated with me was the podcast’s impact on the investigation. It sparked renewed interest and ultimately led to a breakthrough. The arrest of a suspect in 2017. This development reminds you of the power of storytelling in bringing attention to unresolved mysteries.  It’s also a moving reminder that even in the darkest of times, community engagement and modern media can shine a light on forgotten stories. I often wonder if and how many other mysteries await their time to be solved, just waiting for the right someone to ask the right questions. Since the arrests of Bo Dukes and Ryan Dukes, they have been given prison sentences for their involvement in Grinstead’s death.

 

 

The Dermond Murder Mystery: A Murder On Lake Oconee

The decade-old, May 2014 murder of Russell and Shirley Dermond on Lake Oconee has left a big, and creepy, mystery behind. Their deaths, shrouded in mystery, have prompted continuous questions that will last until they are answered, if they even ever are. The couple was well-known and well-liked, and they lived seemed to be living a great, remarkable, and comfortable life along the shores of the prestigious Lake Oconee, a lake desired even by some of Georgia’s most elite. The couple was well into their 80’s, with Russell at age 88, and Shirley, at age 87. With these details given, drama or violence would seem to be the last thing on the list of things to worry about for them. This all makes the entire incident all the more puzzling. As reports indicate, the home showed no signs of forced entry, leading many to wonder if the killer was someone they knew? Were they ambushed by boat riders who may have possibly snuck in by way of the lake on the backside of the home? Really, these are answers left unquestioned. Local authorities have kept details under wraps for the most part, fueling speculation. Was it a crime of passion, or a premeditated act? Was it both? The most gruesome detail of the entire murder case has to be the fact that Russell was decapitated, and that his head has NEVER been found. Shirley would be found 10 days later, as her body was found floating in Lake Oconee. Really, it is pretty creepy and scary the more you think about it, especially with a details LIKE THAT! There is hope that hopefully one day this mystery will be solved, but for now, just like the other unsolved cases that remain, who did it and why are the only questions being asked. This story seems like it broke yesterday, but realizing it has already been over an entire decade just goes to show how long things can stay under wraps, and just how fast time can fly. Detectives believe that with the technology of today, and with more evidence gathered, that this case can still be solved. Here is to hoping that this is the truth and that this/these vicious killer(s) will be found and brought to justice one day! Still a heartbreaker to think about!