Unsolved Murder in Piedmont Park: Reward Raised to $25,000 as Questions Persist

Unsolved Murder in Piedmont Park: Reward Raised to $25,000 as Questions Persist

A gruesome and still unsolved homicide

• On July 28, 2021, Katherine “Katie” Janness, age 40, and her dog Bowie were found brutally stabbed to death near the entrance of Piedmont Park at 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive in Atlanta, Georgia. Katie sustained over 50 stab wounds to her face, neck, and torso. The letters “F”, “A” and “T” were carved into her chest, marking the attack as disturbing and deeply personal. Her dog Bowie was also violently killed nearby.

Despite a nationwide manhunt and an ongoing FBI-supported probe, no arrests have been made and the case remains active but enigmatic.

🔍 Investigation and DNA Focus

• Investigators are now focused on analyzing DNA evidence, including forensic material recovered from the victim and possibly the dog.

• The crime scene investigator noted this case is unusual—even compared to other violent crimes—with no precedent in the region of homicide combined with such mutilation and a pet also being attacked.

💰 Escalating Reward: Now $25,000 Offered

• As of August 1, 2025, Crime Stoppers Atlanta and APD increased the reward from $10,000 to up to $25,000 for any information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.

• Previously, local authorities had increased the reward to $20,000, and prior to that it stood at $10,000.

👥 Community Reaction & Theories

Local media coverage and public commentary reflect deep grief and frustration:

• Many locals believe the brutality suggests a personal connection between the victim and the killer. As one Redditor noted:

  “A stabbing like this is almost always personal… the dog wouldn’t have been an issue at first… but how did he survive a pit bull attack? … much less if someone begun attacking him…”

• Others point to rumored lapses in police transparency or forensic follow‑through, especially regarding the handling of evidence.

• Many criticized that security cameras in Piedmont Park were not working at the time of the attack—installations outdated and nonfunctional that night left investigators with little visual evidence inside the park.

🌃 Efforts Toward Prevention

In the aftermath, Atlanta officials and community groups sought to improve public safety:

• The city and Piedmont Park Conservancy have installed additional security cameras, improved lighting, and increased police patrols and safety personnel around the park.

• Public messaging urges residents not to walk alone at night in the park—a previously safe‑feeling haven now viewed with caution.