Murder of woman in Piedmont Park last year now a ‘forensic’ investigation, police say

ATLANTA — Atlanta police announced Tuesday that the murder of a woman in Piedmont Park last year has now turned into a forensic investigation.

Katie Janness, 40, and her dog Bowie were brutally stabbed to death in the park on July 28, 2021. Janness’ girlfriend, 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.

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

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

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Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant and Mayor Andre Dickens held a news conference Tuesday to address high levels of crime in metro Atlanta.

During the news conference, Channel 2′s Audrey Washington asked Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Charles Hampton about the status of the case.

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“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.

Woman killed in Piedmont Park was stabbed more than 50 times, M.E. says Katherine “Katie” Janness, 40, was stabbed to death along with her dog Bowie in the park early on the morning of July 28.

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