Atlanta Child Murders
Freddie Lee Granger Jr., 68, was arrested on March 31, 2026, in connection with the 1984 rape and murder of Sandra Kaye Davis, a case linked by DNA technology, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation continuing its inquiry. As of February 14, 2026, Wayne Williams was again denied parole, while families of the Atlanta Child Murders victims await DNA results. In October 2021, the Atlanta Police Department sent over 40-year-old evidence to a private lab in Utah for DNA retesting, a process funded in June 2021 and announced by then-Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in July 2021, with DNA identified and sampled in two cases. Relatives and advocates held a press conference in November 2025 seeking updates on DNA testing, with Catherine Leach, mother of victim Curtis Walker, expressing doubt about Williams' guilt. The city of Atlanta dedicated the 'Eternal Flame' memorial to the victims in June 2023, and by October 2023, the number of known dead had increased to 15.
Timeline
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March 2026 — 1 developments
Freddie Lee Granger Jr.
Freddie Lee Granger Jr., 68, was arrested on March 31, 2026, in connection with the 1984 rape and murder of Sandra Kaye Davis. DNA technology linked Granger to the crime, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is continuing its investigation.
February 2026 — 1 developments
Wayne Williams has once again been denied parole by the Georgia parole board.
Wayne Williams has once again been denied parole by the Georgia parole board. Families of the victims are still awaiting DNA results in the Atlanta Child Murders case.
November 2025 — 1 developments
Relatives and advocates of victims of the Atlanta Child Murders held a press conference to seek updates on DNA testing.
Relatives and advocates of victims of the Atlanta Child Murders held a press conference to seek updates on DNA testing. Catherine Leach, mother of victim Curtis Walker, expressed doubt that Wayne Williams killed her child.
March 2024 — 1 developments
In June 2023, the city of Atlanta dedicated the 'Eternal Flame' memorial to the victims of the Atlan…
In June 2023, the city of Atlanta dedicated the 'Eternal Flame' memorial to the victims of the Atlanta Child Murders, featuring a 52-foot wall with victims' names and a shelf for tributes.
October 2023 — 1 developments
The search for victims led to the discovery of two more bodies, increasing the number of known dead to 15.
The search for victims led to the discovery of two more bodies, increasing the number of known dead to 15.
December 2022 — 1 developments
As of November 2022, no report had been issued by the Utah lab a year after DNA samples were sent for retesting.
As of November 2022, no report had been issued by the Utah lab a year after DNA samples were sent for retesting. In December 2022, families of victims publicly demanded the release of DNA testing results, expressing frustration over the lack of updates.
October 2022 — 1 developments
Wayne Williams' new attorney, Janis Mann, met with him in prison and is seeking answers regarding tw…
Wayne Williams' new attorney, Janis Mann, met with him in prison and is seeking answers regarding two DNA samples sent to a specialized testing facility in Utah in 2021 as part of the reopened investigation.
October 2021 — 1 developments
The Atlanta Police Department sent over 40-year-old evidence from the Atlanta child murders to a private lab in Utah for DNA retesting in October 2021.
The Atlanta Police Department sent over 40-year-old evidence from the Atlanta child murders to a private lab in Utah for DNA retesting in October 2021. This retesting utilizes new technology unavailable during Wayne Williams' 1982 trial.
July 2021 — 1 developments
In July 2021, then-Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that DNA had been identified and sampled in …
In July 2021, then-Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that DNA had been identified and sampled in two cases related to the Atlanta Child Murders and sent to a private lab for further analysis. Investigators had reviewed approximately 40% of the collected evidence at that time.
June 2021 — 1 developments
Atlanta police announced in June 2021 that they secured funding to retest DNA evidence in the Atlanta Child Murders cases.
Atlanta police announced in June 2021 that they secured funding to retest DNA evidence in the Atlanta Child Murders cases. This development followed the 2019 reopening of the inquiry into the unsolved cases.
May 2020 — 1 developments
The documentary highlights concerns that the cases of murdered young people were never solved and suggests the case involves politics, greed, racism, and murder.
The documentary highlights concerns that the cases of murdered young people were never solved and suggests the case involves politics, greed, racism, and murder. Critics argue the hasty resolution, pinning the crimes on one African American man, served to maintain the status quo and deny the impact of race and class.
December 2019 — 1 developments
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles denied parole for Wayne Williams in November 2019, stating he had served an insufficient amount of time given the nature of his offenses.
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles denied parole for Wayne Williams in November 2019, stating he had served an insufficient amount of time given the nature of his offenses.
November 2019 — 1 developments
Wayne Williams was denied parole in November 2019 and is scheduled to be next eligible for parole in November 2027.
Wayne Williams was denied parole in November 2019 and is scheduled to be next eligible for parole in November 2027.
March 2019 — 1 developments
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the city would reopen the cases of the Atlanta Missing and Murdered Children to re-examine evidence with new DNA technology.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the city would reopen the cases of the Atlanta Missing and Murdered Children to re-examine evidence with new DNA technology.
May 2005 — 1 developments
DeKalb County Police Chief Louis Graham reopened investigations into the deaths of five victims from that county, expressing doubts about Williams' guilt in all attributed cases.
DeKalb County Police Chief Louis Graham reopened investigations into the deaths of five victims from that county, expressing doubts about Williams' guilt in all attributed cases. The re-investigation was dropped in June 2006.
March 1982 — 1 developments
Following Williams' conviction, law enforcement officials linked him to 20 additional Atlanta Child Murders cases, effectively closing them.
Following Williams' conviction, law enforcement officials linked him to 20 additional Atlanta Child Murders cases, effectively closing them.
February 1982 — 1 developments
After an 11-hour deliberation, a jury found Wayne Williams guilty of the murders of Nathaniel Cater and Jimmy Ray Payne.
After an 11-hour deliberation, a jury found Wayne Williams guilty of the murders of Nathaniel Cater and Jimmy Ray Payne. He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
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.
May 1981 — 1 developments
Wayne Williams first became a suspect after being stopped by police near a bridge over the Chattahoochee River where a splash was heard.
Wayne Williams first became a suspect after being stopped by police near a bridge over the Chattahoochee River where a splash was heard. The body of Nathaniel Cater was found downstream two days later.
November 1980 — 1 developments
The FBI launched a major case investigation, dedicating over two dozen agents to the Atlanta Child Murders task force.
The FBI launched a major case investigation, dedicating over two dozen agents to the Atlanta Child Murders task force.
April 1980 — 1 developments
As the number of missing and slain children grew, parents like Camille Bell formed the Committee to Stop Children's Murders, suspecting a connection between the deaths.
As the number of missing and slain children grew, parents like Camille Bell formed the Committee to Stop Children's Murders, suspecting a connection between the deaths.
July 1979 — 1 developments
The bodies of 14-year-old Edward Hope Smith and 13-year-old Alfred Evans, both African American, were discovered in a vacant lot, marking the beginning of the Atlanta Child Murders.
The bodies of 14-year-old Edward Hope Smith and 13-year-old Alfred Evans, both African American, were discovered in a vacant lot, marking the beginning of the Atlanta Child Murders.