ATLLANTA — Wednesday marked a grim anniversary of the night Katie Janness was stabbed to death at an entrance to Atlanta’s Piedmont Park.
Those close to Janness told Channel 2′s Candace McCowan that they were not expecting to still be waiting for answers from investigators a year after she was killed.
As they get ready to honor her life, McCowan spoke to a friend of hers who said they want to focus on the happy times that they shared with her.
David Ohmann said he never expected that his seven-year friendship with Janness would come to such a brutal end in the early hours of July 28.
“Whether I had a bad day or a good day, or whatever kind of day, Katie was always there to cheer me up,” Ohmann said.
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While on vacation, Ohmann said he saw the headlines that his friend was brutally murdered around midnight in Piedmont Park while walking her dog Bowie.
“I didn’t even know how to process it at the time. It was so horrifying,” Ohmann said.
The autopsy showed Janness was stabbed more than 50 times. Her dog Bowie was also killed.
Janness’ partner, Emma Clark, and her family released a statement early Thursday morning that read:
Over the past year there hasn’t been a waking moment that Katie hasn’t been in our hearts or on our mind since she was taken from us. Her senseless death has affected our daily lives in a manner that is hard to describe. We are remembering Katie in private today and want to thank all of those who have honored and remembered her by keeping her story alive. We are vigilant in bringing her killer to justice and have remained in contact with Mayor Dickens who assures us that the City of Atlanta is doing everything they can to solve this case. Please continue to keep Emma and Katie’s mother in your prayers.
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The two were found by Janness’ partner inside the park.
One year later, it’s not only those who knew Janness, but an entire community that is eager for answers over who killed her.
“It’s definitely frightening knowing that somebody like that is still out there,” said Summer Rose, who was biking in Piedmont Park Wednesday night.
“It’s hard to catch somebody if there’s not information,” said one Piedmont Park walker who only identified himself as Bob.
“It has been an agonizing year knowing that no one has been caught,” Ohmann said.
While they hope for the peace that will come from an arrest, friends are planning to honor Katie.
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Multiple vigils are expected to be held in the park Thursday evening and at the restaurant where she worked, serving as a toast to her life.
“Every day we go in there to have dinner, we all talk about her. We should always remember Katie in a positive light and with happiness,” Ohmann told McCowan. “Raise a glass to your friends, to Katie, and to celebrate life.”
Atlanta police said they are holding a news conference on Thursday afternoon to talk about the latest information in this case.
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