Four Years After Katie Janness’ Brutal Murder in Midtown Atlanta, Reward Increased to $25,000 as Search for Justice Intensifies
Midtown Atlanta is once again gripped by grief, frustration, and renewed determination as the fourth anniversary of the shocking and still-unsolved murder of Katherine “Katie” Janness passes with no arrests made. In a desperate push for answers, Atlanta authorities announced this week that the reward for information leading to an arrest in her case has been increased from $10,000 to $25,000. It is a painful reminder that four years later, Katie’s killer remains at large—and her family is still waiting for justice.
On the night of July 28, 2021, Katie Janness, a 40-year-old bartender and well-known member of Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community, went out for a walk with her beloved dog, Bowie, in Piedmont Park, just a short distance from her home. What was supposed to be a peaceful evening turned tragic when both Katie and Bowie were brutally attacked and killed. Their bodies were discovered near the entrance to the park in a scene so gruesome and senseless that it sent shockwaves through the community and made national headlines.
Katie’s partner of nearly seven years, Emma Clark, was the one who found her. After Katie failed to return home, Emma used a tracking app to locate her phone, only to stumble upon a horrific scene that would change her life forever. Katie had been stabbed multiple times, and Bowie lay lifeless beside her. The brutality of the attack and the fact that it occurred in such a central, public space left Atlanta residents stunned and fearful. In the days that followed, vigils were held in Piedmont Park, and community members marched for justice, demanding action and answers.
Yet, despite an initial flurry of activity—including a high-profile FBI involvement, extensive canvassing, forensic investigations, and public appeals for surveillance footage—there has been no arrest. No suspects have been publicly named. And for four long years, Katie’s loved ones have lived with the unbearable weight of unanswered questions.
The decision to increase the reward comes after pressure from both community leaders and the public, who have grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in the investigation. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated:
“We have never stopped working to find who is responsible for Katie Janness’s murder. Our detectives continue to pursue leads, and we are hopeful that this increased reward will encourage someone with information—no matter how small—to come forward. We believe someone out there knows something.”
Katie was known for her big heart, infectious laughter, and deep love for animals. She was a kind soul who worked hard, cared deeply for her friends, and was devoted to her partner and their life together. She and Emma were building a life filled with love, music, and hope—a future cruelly stolen in an act of violence that has left an entire community haunted.
Emma Clark and Katie’s family have continued to be vocal, persistent, and brave in their pursuit of justice. Each anniversary is a bitter reminder of the void Katie’s loss has left behind. Speaking through tears at a recent vigil, Emma said:
“It’s been four years, and still no answers. I wake up every day with the same pain I felt that night. We don’t need just thoughts and prayers—we need action, we need resolution, and we need justice for Katie.”
Civil rights organizations, LGBTQ+ advocates, and community safety groups have also weighed in, criticizing what they view as a lack of urgency and transparency in the investigation. Many have called for increased surveillance in the area, better park safety protocols, and a renewed focus on violence against marginalized communities.
In honor of Katie’s memory, her family and friends have established the Katie Janness Foundation, which advocates for justice reform, victim support services, and safety in public parks. Each year, they hold a remembrance walk in Piedmont Park, drawing hundreds who refuse to let Katie’s story be forgotten.
As the fourth year without answers ticks on, hope remains alive—but it grows more desperate. The increased reward is more than just a monetary incentive; it’s a plea to the conscience of anyone who may be withholding a critical piece of information.
Anyone with tips or details related to the case is urged to contact Atlanta Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477). Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Katie Janness was more than a victim—she was a daughter, a partner, a friend, and a bright light in the lives of many. Her absence has created a ripple of sorrow that still moves through Midtown Atlanta, but so too does her memory continue to inspire a relentless pursuit of truth and justice.
Her story is not over. The fight for answers continues. And with renewed attention and the help of the public, there is still hope that her killer will be found—and that peace, however overdue, will come at last.