I compiled a list of news articles posted from early days (and a few newer ones).
July 28, 2021
Police released a surveillance photo of Janness walking her dog near the Pride intersection on 10th Street Tuesday night.
Investigators searched through a murky pond near the front of the park, looking for evidence in the crime. Multiple agencies worked together throughout Wednesday afternoon.
Police search for evidence in brutal stabbing at Piedmont Park
On July 28, 2021 the Katherine Janness’ body was discovered inside Piedmont Park. She was last seen walking her dog in Midtown Atlanta. (Photo on flyer was at 12:09am July 28, 2021) The victim and her dog were killed inside the park.
On Wednesday July 28, 2021, at around 1:10am officers responded to Piedmont Park, 1073 Piedmont Ave, on a report of a person stabbed. On scene officers found a deceased adult female with multiple stab wounds. Atlanta Police Homicide Unit detectives responded and are investigating the incident.
https://www.atlantapd.org/home/showpublisheddocument/4216/637631641496964770
July 29, 2021
Janness was found stabbed to death with multiple wounds in the park around 1 a.m. Wednesday after walking her dog who was also killed. Atlanta police did not say how the dog died,
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, but Deputy Chief Charles Hampton called the scene "gruesome."
FBI spokesperson Kevin Rowson said Thursday the agency is on the case.
FBI joins investigation into killing of Katherine Janness, her dog in Atlanta park
Officers with the Atlanta Police Department told FOX 5 that the Janness had been stabbed multiple times and the scene of the crime was "gruesome" and "hard to stomach."
Officials have not been able to say if this was a random act of violence or if it was targeted. No suspect has yet been named in the investigation.
'My heart is so very broken': Fiancé of woman stabbed to death at Piedmont Park mourns loss
July 30, 2021
Atlanta Police released a surveillance image of Janness walking her dog across the Pride intersection at 12:09am Wednesday, July 28th. Less than an hour later, they received a call from Clark around 1:10am, that Janness had been found dead in the park near the 10th street entrance off of Charles Allen Drive.
One day after brutal murder, Atlanta Police increased patrols in the area. Officers on bikes are on duty 24/7 riding inside and around the park. The mounted patrol unit had officers on five horses, patrolling the park throughout the day Thursday as investigators try to identify the killer.
EXCLUSIVE: Partner of woman killed in Piedmont Park speaks about victim's final moments
Crime scene investigators seen loading large tree branch into van near the site of where the body of Katie Janness was found Wednesday morning in Piedmont Park.
@cbs46
https://twitter.com/zacontv/status/1421228472748417027?s=21
July 31, 2021
On Saturday, Atlanta police said the cameras inside the park are operated by another city department.
“Upon review, the cameras inside Piedmont Park are operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation,” Sgt. John Chafee said in an emailed statement. “Footage from APD cameras in the area is currently under review for any footage that may help this investigation. The Atlanta Police Department continues to work with the DPR on this investigation.”
Investigators are also asking those who live in this area to review footage from their security cameras and contact the police if they find anything that may be pertinent to this investigation. The timeframe for review should be between 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday to 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Piedmont Park cameras weren’t working night of deadly stabbing, friends say
August 3, 2021
…both the mayor and the chief admitted the murder of Katie Janness did not fit the description of violence seen in the city over the last year.
Mayor Lance Bottoms said the murder was "horrific" and unlike anything the city had seen in "quite some time."
Chief Bryant agreed, saying the murder was
"outside the norm of what we would typically see."
"This was so unique that I felt that we needed to collaborate with as many resources as we can," Bryant added.
Mayor: Still not ready to make arrest in 'horrific murder' of Katie Janness
“Despite some rumors that cameras weren't working near where the murder happened, Atlanta Police's spokesman says all APD cameras in the area were working properly at the time of the murder and they are continuing to review footage.
Mayor Bottoms warned the public against the feeding into the growing rumors surrounding the case that police have kept largely private as they continue to search for clues.
"I am also asking people just to be thoughtful about the rumors and spreading false information. It certainly doesn’t help us at all in this investigation and making any headway in who is responsible," Bottoms said.
Atlanta Mayor speaks about Piedmont Park murder as police prepare to give update
Atlanta police released surveillance images Tuesday of six people who were in or near Piedmont Park the night that a woman and her dog were brutally killed.
The city of Atlanta confirmed that there are nine cameras throughout Piedmont Park but the technology for them is outdated.
Investigators said the cameras were first installed in 2008 and they do not sync up with the current city cameras that are monitored by the Atlanta Police Department.
According to city officials, the city is in charge of operating and maintaining the nine cameras in the park.
“In 2008, there was a pilot that was done to install those nine cameras,” said Jon Keen, with the Office of the Chief Operating Officer. “In 2017, there was an assessment that was done. Ultimately, those cameras are based on obsolete technology, and they do not integrate with our video integration center.”.
The video integration center is a network of cameras throughout the city that are monitored by APD and have been vital in fighting crime. But the cameras in the park are outdated.
Still, detectives say despite not having working cameras, they are confident they can solve this crime.
“The investigators of the Atlanta Police Department are talented. There are many homicides that we solve without the aid of any technological equipment,” said Deputy police Chief Charles Hampton.
APD release photos of 6 possible witnesses in Piedmont Park murder
August 4, 2021
11:54:29 pm - two people seen by gate at 10th and Charles Allen; one person standing at crosswalk in front of them
12:25:05 am – man w/ cane dressed in white seen exiting the 12th & Piedmont Street entrance
12:43:14 am – one person seen in front of entrance at 12th & Piedmont Street
12:46:13 am – jogger seen at crosswalk of 10th Street NE and Charles Allen Dr NE
12:46:54 am – jogger seen exiting gate at 10th Street NE and Charles Allen Dr NE
APD said Monday that the cameras were working the night of the murder, but clarified Tuesday that the 9 cameras in Piedmont Park are not integrated into the city’s current video integration center that it tracks in real time.
911 call released in murder at Piedmont Park
August 5, 2021
While there was not a specific update in the case offered at the news conference, both Labat and Willis did share one consistent message to those listening.
"Behave in a way that is safe."
The two are asking people to take precautions when going to Piedmont Park. They advised going with multiple people rather than going alone, and to take every precaution necessary to stay safe.
Local, federal officials vow collaboration on Piedmont Park murder case
The district attorney said as law enforcement agencies across the metro work to find the killer, she wants people to be smart if they are going to the park and to travel in groups.
“I love Piedmont Park as well, but we’re asking that you go with three or four friends while you’re there and that you’re not alone at night,” Willis said.
Officials warn people not to visit Piedmont Park alone at night until killer is caught
August 6, 2021
Authorities shared photos Friday morning of a jogger who they said could have been a witness. Atlanta police told ABC News that as of Friday afternoon the man pictured
"has come forward and is cooperating with investigators at this time." He's not a suspect at this time or accused of any wrongdoing, police added.
Atlanta police said late Friday the jogger had not witnessed the crime.
Police were called to the crime scene around 1:10 a.m. after it was reported a person was being stabbed. Janness and her dog were found dead, each with multiple stab wounds.
Police continue search for witnesses in fatal Atlanta park stabbing
September 16, 2021
“There was a slice on her face, like in an X pattern on her face,” said Clark, 30. “And there was a deep cut to her throat; it was cut all the way to the bone.”
“It’s a very frightening crime,” said Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis, adding that evidence suggests the killer did not immediately flee the scene after the crime.
“And that is strange,” she said. “Most people commit a murder and want to get the hell away because they don’t want to be caught.”
Janness also worked as a bartender at an Italian restaurant at 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue, where the rainbow crosswalks denote the area’s significance as the center of the area’s LGBTQ community, and a haven.
The intersection also marks the last place Janness was spotted by city security cameras.
A few days after her killing, Atlanta police released video footage of Janness and her dog walking through the intersection at 12:07 a.m., about 30 minutes after she told Clark she was going for a walk.
Willis, the district attorney, also stressed that she does not have
“another case that remotely matches” the evidence in Janness’s slaying.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...e59cb2-0740-11ec-a266-7c7fe02fa374_story.html
November 9, 2021
"I figured she would be home because I saw her at 11:35; I didn't have the time because I was working," Clark continued.
EXCLUSIVE: Partner of woman found slain in Piedmont Park pleads for APD to clear her name
November 15, 2021
Surveillance footage captured Janness at a crosswalk with her dog, Bowie, at 10th St. and Piedmont Ave at 12:09am near the southwest entrance of the 185-acre park in the Midtown neighborhood.
Autopsy report for Atlanta woman released after she and her dog were killed over the summer | Daily Mail Online
November 16, 2021
Police have said the body of a woman, later identified as Janness, was found shortly after 1 a.m. July 28 inside Piedmont Park’s Charles Allen Drive entrance near 10th Street.
Slaying victim had letters 'F' 'A' 'T' carved on chest, officials say
January 5, 2022
During a Tuesday press conference, senior Atlanta Police officials attempted to expunge any notions Katherine Janness’ murder investigation had gone cold, despite there being no arrests.
"Our investigations do not stop," Police Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. said at a press conference on Tuesday. "That case is still open. We continue to work leads that come in almost weekly."
Investigators, who described the investigation as “very active,” also stressed that forensic investigators were still combing through a mountain of biological, physical and electronic evidence.
"We do believe that this investigation is moving in the right direction," Atlanta Police Homicide Commander Ralph Woolfolk also said. "We look forward to where the pieces of the puzzle are being put together as it pertains to this case."
No Arrests In Katherine Janness Murder, Police Say It's 'Moving In Right Direction' | Oxygen Official Site
