Unsolved: Katie Janness and Bowie. Midnight in Piedmont Park

The Unsolved Murder of Katie Janness and Her Dog Bowie: A True Crime Tragedy

On a warm summer evening, July 28, 2021, Atlanta’s vibrant Midtown neighborhood was shaken by an act of unspeakable violence. Katie Janness, a beloved bartender, musician, and loyal friend, and Bowie, her cherished pitbull, were brutally murdered inside Piedmont Park. Four years later, the case remains unsolved, haunting the community, Katie’s loved ones, and followers of unsolved crimes across the nation.

The Night of the Murder

Katie Janness, age 40, spent her last evening in a familiar routine—dining with her partner, Emma Clark, before taking Bowie for a walk through Piedmont Park, just blocks from their home. When Katie didn’t return, Emma tracked Katie’s phone location using an app. What she found at the park’s entrance at 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive would alter her life forever: Katie and Bowie were both dead, victims of a savage attack.

First responders arrived shortly after 1 a.m. The crime scene was gruesome—Katie had suffered more than 50 stab wounds to her face, neck, and torso. Disturbingly, the letters “F”, “A”, and “T” had been carved into her torso, suggesting a possible message or motive behind the attack. Bowie, too, had been killed, his body found nearby.

The Investigation

The Atlanta Police Department, later joined by the FBI, launched an extensive investigation. Security footage from Midtown showed Katie and Bowie entering the park, but crucial surveillance cameras inside Piedmont Park were found to be either non-functioning or outdated, providing no footage of the crime itself.

Authorities focused on forensic evidence, in particular DNA, hoping a breakthrough would surface. Despite collecting significant biological material from the scene, as of July 2025, no suspects have been named publicly, and no arrests have been made. The brutality and deliberateness of the attack—combined with the mutilation and the carved letters—led investigators and amateur internet sleuths to question whether the crime was personal, a hate crime, or the work of a stranger acting with disturbing resolve.

Community Impact and Legacy

Katie’s murder sent shockwaves through Atlanta. Friends, family, and patrons of her Midtown restaurant mourned her loss. A bench now stands in Piedmont Park’s dog section to honor Katie and Bowie, serving as a daily reminder of lives stolen and justice yet undelivered.

Her partner, Emma Clark, and Katie’s friends have advocated for public awareness, pressing for transparency and relentless pursuit of the killer. The case has drawn national attention, inspiring podcasts, news specials, and discussions about public safety, violence against LGBTQ+ individuals, and the gaps in city surveillance and policing resources.

The Unanswered Questions

Why was Katie Janness targeted with such rage? Was the attack random, or did she know her killer? Why were those specific letters carved into her body, and what was their intended message? How could a killer spend so much time at a city park entrance in Midtown Atlanta, leave such a shocking crime scene, and escape unseen?

With every passing year and every memorial gathering, these questions persist. The reward for information has increased, and Atlanta police continue to encourage tips from the public, reminding the city that this case is not forgotten and hope for resolution endures.

Conclusion

The murder of Katie Janness and her dog Bowie stands as one of Atlanta's most chilling and tragic unsolved cases. Four years on, it remains a clarion call for justice, safety, and community. In tribute to Katie's love of music and animals, and with hope for answers, those who loved her—and a city still searching for closure—wait for the day her killer is brought to justice.

If you have any information that could help solve this case, please contact the Atlanta Police Department Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers. Justice for Katie and Bowie is still within reach.

Atlanta PD 404-577-TIPS. (8477)

You can submit a tip online at crimestoppersatlanta.org.

Text your tip to CRIMES OR 274637 using the code CSGA at the beginning of your tip. 

Sources used for this podcast:

Web Articles & News Reports

·       Craig, T. (2021, September 16). Brutal killing of a woman and her dog in an Atlanta park reignites the debate over city's growing crime problem. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/brutal-killing-of-a-woman-and-her-dog-in-an-atlanta-park-reignites-the-debate-over-citys-growing-crime-problem/2021/09/13/eae59cb2-0740-11ec-a266-7c7fe02fa374_story.html

·       FOX 5 Atlanta. (n.d.). Piedmont Park murder: Katie Janness stabbing investigation, 1 year later. Fox 5 Atlanta. https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/piedmont-park-murder-katie-janness-stabbing-investigation-1-year-later

·       FOX 5 Atlanta. (2025, June 17). Katie Janness' Piedmont Park murder still unsolved as police focus on DNA evidence. FOX 5 Atlanta. https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/katie-janness-murder-police-investigation-dna-piedmont-park-stabbing

·       Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (2025, July). 4 years after Piedmont Park killing, Katie Janness case remains unsolved. AJC.com. https://www.ajc.com/news/2025/07/4-years-after-piedmont-park-killing-katie-janness-case-remains-unsolved/

·       Atlanta News First. (2023, July 28). Everything we know about Katie Janness’ murder, Piedmont Park, 2 years later. Atlanta News First. https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/07/28/everything-we-know-about-katie-janness-murder-piedmont-park-2-years-later/

·       Daily Mail. (2021, November). Autopsy report for Atlanta woman released after she and dog killed over summer. DailyMail.com. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10203871/Autopsy-report-Atlanta-woman-released-dog-killed-summer.html

·       AJC. (2022, July 29). Friends gather to remember Katie Janness, Bowie at Piedmont Park. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/friends-gather-to-remember-katie-janness-bowie-at-piedmont-park/SCJN2ED6TVD2VE6X6BU5P2XFJQ/

·       AJC. (2022, July 27). A year later, no answers in killing of Katie Janness at Piedmont Park. AJC.com. https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/friends-remember-katie-janness-1-year-after-piedmont-park-slaying/G6XDLWQHB5HHRMB7K3VKX5IS5Q/

·       People. (2021, November). Atlanta woman stabbed 50 times and had the letters ‘F, A, T’ carved into her chest. People.com. https://people.com/crime/atlanta-woman-stabbed-50-times-and-had-the-letters-f-a-t-carved-into-chest/

·       People. (n.d.). Monster on the loose? FBI investigates killing of Atlanta woman and dog. People.com. https://people.com/crime/monster-on-loose-fbi-investigates-killing-atlanta-woman-dog/

·       Rough Draft Atlanta. (2023, July 30). Who murdered Katie Janness and her dog in Piedmont Park remains a mystery two years later. RoughDraftAtlanta.com. https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2023/07/30/who-murdered-katie-janness-and-her-dog-in-piedmont-park-remains-a-mystery-two-years-later/

·       WSB-TV. (2025, July 28). Piedmont Park deadly stabbing remains unsolved 4 years later. WSB-TV. https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/piedmont-park-deadly-stabbing-remains-unsolved-4-years-later/GDMCS2ABNFE2LAGZ6C5XMWNYEY/

·       BuzzFeed. (n.d.). 19 Lesser-known true crime stories that are deeply disturbing. BuzzFeed. https://www.buzzfeed.com/crystalro/lesser-known-true-crime-stories-fs

·       Reddit. (2025, June 17). Katie Janness, Bowie, and the questions that remain [Online forum comment]. Reddit/r/UnresolvedMysteries. https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/1mbnfvu/katie_janness_bowie_and_the_questions_that_remain/

·       Unresolved. (n.d.). Katie Janness. Unresolved.me. https://unresolved.me/katie-janness

·       Unsolved. (n.d.). Help solve the murder of Katie Janness. Unsolved.com. https://unsolved.com/event-posts/help-solve-the-murder-of-katie-janness/

Business/Institution Websites

·       Campagnolo. (n.d.). Campagnolo Atlanta restaurant. https://www.campagnoloatl.com/

·       Whole World Improv Theatre. (n.d.). Whole World Theatre. https://www.wholeworldtheatre.com/

Videos & Podcasts

·       11Alive. (2021, November 12). Autopsy report released in Piedmont Park murder [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN9Dy4kZ8Ds

·       FOX 5 Atlanta. (2025, July 28). Katie Janness' murder at Piedmont Park haunts Atlanta [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jSbYDHd0kw

·       ANF+ Atlanta News First. (2023, July 28). 2 year anniversary of Katie Janness’ murder [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YutbrxMvZE

·       True Crime Garage. (n.d.). Katie Janness [Podcast Episodes 760–761]. True Crime Garage. https://truecrimegarage.com/blogs/true-crime-garage/posts/7405289/katie-janness-episodes-760-761

Maps & Miscellaneous

·       Google. (n.d.). Atlanta, Georgia [Map]. Google Maps. https://maps.google.com/

·       Google. (n.d.). Atlanta, Georgia [Satellite imagery]. Google Earth. https://earth.google.com/

·       Atlanta Police/City of Atlanta. (2021, July 28). 911 call incident 212090111 [Audio file]. City of Atlanta. https://cityofatlanta-my.sharepoint.com/personal/awgrant_atlantaga_gov/

Film & TV References

·       Bruckheimer, J. (Producer), & Lyne, A. (Director). (1983). Flashdance [Film]. Paramount Pictures.

·       Hawley, S. (Producer), & Hawley, S. (Creator). (2016). Atlanta, Season 1, Episode 3: Go For Broke [TV series]. FX.

·       Smith, G. (Producer), & Wadlow, J. (Director). (2008). Never Back Down [Film]. Summit Entertainment.

·       Brooks, J.L. (Producer/Director). (1987). Broadcast News [Film]. 20th Century Fox.

START READING KRIS CALVERT'S BOOKS TODAY FOR FREE

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

All information contained in this audio podcast or video presentation is provided for entertainment purposes only. The authors leave any and all conclusions to individual members of the audience. The author offers no statements of fact beyond those available through diligent private research or through information freely available in the public record. To the extent that pending or settled criminal matters or crime or possible crimes, are discussed in this audio podcast or video presentation. All parties or defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. To the extent that any pending or settled civil matters are discussed in this video presentation, all parties or defendants are presumed not liable unless proven liable in a court of law. Copyright for material incorporated and presented under Fair Use is retained by the original author or copyright holder where applicable. Our cases are researched using open source and archive materials, and the subjects are real crimes and people. We strive to produce each episode with respect to the victims, their families and loved ones. At Hitched 2 Homicide we are committed to always discussing how victims lived, and not just how they died. All podcast information is gleaned from sources given. All opinions in the podcast are solely of Hitched 2 Homicide and are for entertainment purposes only.