Beyond Criminal Headlines: Michael Seiden on the Katie Janness murder investigation

Katherine “Katie” Janness, 40, and her dog Bowie were brutally stabbed to death in Atlanta, Georgia’s Piedmont Park on July 28, 2021.

Janness’ partner, Emma Clark, found their mutilated bodies near the entrance to the park at 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive after she pinged Janness’ location on her phone.

The murder received national attention and sparked panic all over Atlanta. Almost a year later, police have not been able to identify a suspect or arrest anyone in the case.

Recently, Cox Media Group’s Nicole Bennett had the opportunity to speak with Michael Seiden, a reporter for WSB-TV in Atlanta, about Katie Janness. Seiden joined WSB-TV in 2018 and since then, he has reported extensively on law enforcement and the justice system. Over the past year, Seiden has followed Katie Janness’ case very closely.

>> Listen to the full episode below.

Beyond Criminal Headlines is a true crime podcast where every two weeks, host Nicole Bennett sits down with esteemed journalists from across the industry who’ve covered some of the most notorious crimes in American history. Find the latest ‘Beyond Criminal Headlines’ content on any podcast provider or listen on demand here.

Surveillance images in the area showed some of Janness’ last moments alive as she went to walk her dog around 1 a.m.

Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant and Mayor Andre Dickens held a news conference this past March to address high levels of crime across the city.

During the news conference, Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Charles Hampton was asked about the status of Katie Janness’ case.

“We are relying on the science and the technology,” Hampton said. “Investigations take time. We’ve been fortunate to get some of these high-profile cases solved in days and weeks. And then there are other cases that our team continues to work diligently to bring the people responsible to justice.”

Hampton said APD is continuing to meet with the FBI weekly about the case and that it is still an active investigation.

Janness and her partner Emma Clark had lived up the street from Piedmont Park in midtown Atlanta for years. Clark has said Janness was an “incredible dog mom and advocate for social justice.” Janness was a musician, beloved bartender and was well-known in the midtown Atlanta community.

RELATED CONTENT:

• Riley Benson on the Murdaugh investigations
• Monique Ming Laven on Amanda Knox
• Philip Holloway on what’s next in the Tara Grinstead case

©2022 Cox Media Group