Atlanta child murders: Investigators extract DNA linked to 2 cases in new investigation into decades-old cases

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In March 2019, authorities reopened the investigation into a spate of child murders that took place between the 1970s and 1980s to reexamine the evidence in hopes that technological breakthroughs could point to a definitive killer in the cases, most of which have never been resolved.

“Part of my request to reopen was in light of the DNA testing situation some 40 years later. What more, if anything, could we look at to make sure we looked at everything that person or persons responsible are held accountable, ”Bottoms said in his announcement of the DNA results.

Fiber evidence was reanalyzed in all 30 cases, and investigators also extended the timeframe from 1970 to 1985 to ensure any other children or victims are not left behind, the mayor said.

At least two dozen of the 30 cases were children aged 7 to 17, most of whom were black victims.

Decades after Atlanta child murders, families hope for breakthrough in new examination of evidence

Investigators methodically examined around 40% of the evidence collected to determine what items can be sent to a private lab for further processing. Officials moved forward with this process on June 21, Bottoms said.

The private lab has extensive experience analyzing damaged DNA, she said.

“So we certainly hope to recover this information over the next few months,” Bottoms said. “And I really hope that with the analysis of this additional DNA, we can have some additional answers.”

Atlanta's unsolved child murders are back under the microscope
The murders terrified parents and children in Atlanta, which, before the 1996 Olympics and a major airport expansion, was not the megalopolis it is today. There was huge national interest.

In 1982, Wayne Williams was convicted of murder after being implicated as a prime suspect in the murders.

Atlanta police said at the time he was responsible for most of the child murders. However, Williams was not charged in the youth murders, but in the murders of Nathaniel Cater and Jimmy Ray Payne, two adults whose bodies were discovered in the Chattahoochee River.

He was convicted of both murders and sentenced to life in prison.

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