Atlanta Child Murders Investigation
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation in May 2026 authorizing the re-examination of evidence in the Atlanta Child Murders cases using new DNA technology, following years of advocacy from victims' families. As of May 2026, the Fulton County District Attorney's office is also reinvestigating the case to identify additional victims and examine cold cases. Wayne Williams, convicted for two adult murders and suspected in the Atlanta Child Murders, was denied parole in November 2019 and will next be eligible in 2027. Atlanta City Hall unveiled an Eternal Flame Memorial in June 2023 to honor the 31 children and young adults who died during the cases.
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May 2026 — 1 developments
Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation in May 2026 authorizing the re-examination of evidence in the Atlanta Child Murders cases, utilizing new DNA technology.
Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation in May 2026 authorizing the re-examination of evidence in the Atlanta Child Murders cases, utilizing new DNA technology. This move comes after years of advocacy from victims' families and a renewed public interest in solving the decades-old mystery. The legislation aims to bring closure to families and potentially identify new leads in the case.
March 2026 — 2 developments
The Georgia legislature passed the Coleman Baker Act in 2023, enabling family members of victims in unsolved cases to request reinvestigations.
The Georgia legislature passed the Coleman Baker Act in 2023, enabling family members of victims in unsolved cases to request reinvestigations. Additionally, the GBI's cold case unit received full funding in 2024, bolstering efforts to address historical cases.
The Fulton County District Attorney's office is reinvestigating the Atlanta Child Murders case.
The Fulton County District Attorney's office is reinvestigating the Atlanta Child Murders case. This reinvestigation aims to identify additional victims and examine cold cases involving children under 18 killed in a similar manner during specific years.
January 2026 — 1 developments
Wayne Williams, convicted for two adult murders and suspected in the Atlanta Child Murders, was denied parole in November 2019 and will next be eligible in 2027.
Wayne Williams, convicted for two adult murders and suspected in the Atlanta Child Murders, was denied parole in November 2019 and will next be eligible in 2027.
December 2025 — 1 developments
Catherine Leach, mother of victim Curtis Walker, held a press conference outside Atlanta City Hall t…
Catherine Leach, mother of victim Curtis Walker, held a press conference outside Atlanta City Hall to highlight the ongoing lack of updates regarding the DNA evidence in the Atlanta Child Murders case.
October 2025 — 1 developments
Donna Green, mother of Raymond Green, an Atlanta infant abducted nearly 47 years ago, is hosting an …
Donna Green, mother of Raymond Green, an Atlanta infant abducted nearly 47 years ago, is hosting an awareness gala to mark his 47th birthday and bring attention to his case and other missing Georgians.
June 2024 — 1 developments
As of June 2024, new DNA technology has not yet publicly provided a link between Wayne Williams and the Atlanta Child Murders.
As of June 2024, new DNA technology has not yet publicly provided a link between Wayne Williams and the Atlanta Child Murders.
June 2023 — 2 developments
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated during the memorial unveiling that investigators from h…
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated during the memorial unveiling that investigators from his department and the Fulton County District Attorney's office are actively working on the Atlanta Child Murders case.
Atlanta City Hall unveiled an Eternal Flame Memorial in June 2023 to honor the 31 children and young adults who died during the Atlanta Missing and Murdered Children cases.
Atlanta City Hall unveiled an Eternal Flame Memorial in June 2023 to honor the 31 children and young adults who died during the Atlanta Missing and Murdered Children cases. City leaders and police acknowledged the victims while recognizing that Wayne Williams was convicted of two adult murders and linked to others.
December 2022 — 3 developments
Wayne Williams' new attorney, Janis Mann, also publicly called for the release of the DNA test results, questioning the delays in the investigation.
Wayne Williams' new attorney, Janis Mann, also publicly called for the release of the DNA test results, questioning the delays in the investigation.
Families of the victims publicly called on authorities to release all DNA testing related to the cas…
Families of the victims publicly called on authorities to release all DNA testing related to the case, expressing frustration over waiting more than a year for updates since the retesting was announced.
Families of at least four victims and a senator gathered to demand the release of DNA testing results for the Atlanta Child Murders case.
Families of at least four victims and a senator gathered to demand the release of DNA testing results for the Atlanta Child Murders case. Atlanta police stated they were using a forensic company in Utah to retest DNA evidence, with some families questioning Wayne Williams's responsibility for the deaths.
November 2022 — 1 developments
A year after DNA samples from the Atlanta Child Murders were delivered to Sorenson Forensics in Utah for retesting, the lab has not publicly discussed any progress or findings.
A year after DNA samples from the Atlanta Child Murders were delivered to Sorenson Forensics in Utah for retesting, the lab has not publicly discussed any progress or findings.
October 2021 — 1 developments
The Atlanta Police Department delivered over 40-year-old evidence from the Atlanta Child Murders cas…
The Atlanta Police Department delivered over 40-year-old evidence from the Atlanta Child Murders cases to a private lab in Utah for DNA retesting, a technology unavailable at the time of Williams' 1982 conviction.
July 2021 — 1 developments
In July 2021, then-Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms confirmed that investigators had reviewed appr…
In July 2021, then-Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms confirmed that investigators had reviewed approximately 40% of the evidence in the Atlanta Child Murders case and were moving forward with processing. By October 2021, the Atlanta Police Department sent evidence to a private lab in Utah for advanced DNA testing.
March 2020 — 1 developments
HBO released a 5-part documentary titled "Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children" in April 2020.
HBO released a 5-part documentary titled "Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children" in April 2020. The series explores the murders that occurred in Atlanta from 1979 to 1981.
April 2019 — 1 developments
Wayne Williams released an audio statement in 2019 proclaiming his innocence in the Atlanta Child Mu…
Wayne Williams released an audio statement in 2019 proclaiming his innocence in the Atlanta Child Murders and expressing his willingness to cooperate fully with the new investigation.
March 2019 — 2 developments
Atlanta officials announced in March 2019 a plan to re-test evidence from the Atlanta Child Murders cases, stating that advancements in technology could provide definitive answers.
Atlanta officials announced in March 2019 a plan to re-test evidence from the Atlanta Child Murders cases, stating that advancements in technology could provide definitive answers. By July 2021, investigators had reviewed approximately 40% of the evidence, extending the timeline for potential victims to 1970-1985. Families of victims have since demanded the release of DNA testing results, expressing concern over a lack of updates.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the Atlanta Police Department would reopen and re-…
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the Atlanta Police Department would reopen and re-examine the unsolved Atlanta Child Murders cases using new technology, hoping to provide closure to the victims' families.
June 2006 — 1 developments
The DeKalb County Police dropped its re-investigation of the Atlanta child murders, stating that no new evidence had materialized.
The DeKalb County Police dropped its re-investigation of the Atlanta child murders, stating that no new evidence had materialized.
May 2004 — 1 developments
DeKalb County Police Chief Louis Graham reopened investigations into the deaths of five DeKalb Count…
DeKalb County Police Chief Louis Graham reopened investigations into the deaths of five DeKalb County victims, expressing doubts that Wayne Williams was guilty of all the attributed murders.
February 1982 — 1 developments
Wayne Williams was convicted of the murders of two adults, Nathaniel Cater and Jimmy Ray Payne, and sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
Wayne Williams was convicted of the murders of two adults, Nathaniel Cater and Jimmy Ray Payne, and sentenced to two consecutive life terms. Following the conviction, law enforcement officials attributed 20 to 22 additional child murder cases to Williams, though he was not formally charged in those cases.
June 1981 — 1 developments
Wayne Williams was arrested for the murders of Nathaniel Cater and Jimmy Ray Payne.
Wayne Williams was arrested for the murders of Nathaniel Cater and Jimmy Ray Payne.
November 1980 — 1 developments
The FBI launched a major case investigation into the Atlanta Child Murders, dedicating over two dozen agents and personnel to the task force.
The FBI launched a major case investigation into the Atlanta Child Murders, dedicating over two dozen agents and personnel to the task force.
July 1979 — 1 developments
The bodies of 14-year-old Edward Hope Smith and 13-year-old Alfred James Evans, two African-American…
The bodies of 14-year-old Edward Hope Smith and 13-year-old Alfred James Evans, two African-American children, were discovered in Atlanta, marking the beginning of the Atlanta Child Murders.