27 Dead Children. 1 Conviction. The Case Atlanta Closed Without a Trial. episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 7, 2026 · 33 MIN

27 Dead Children. 1 Conviction. The Case Atlanta Closed Without a Trial.

from Criminal Motives · host Matthew Phifer

Atlanta called itself "the city too busy to hate." Then, between 1979 and 1981, at least 29 Black children and young adults were murdered — and the city's response became almost as controversial as the killings themselves.This episode follows the case from the first bodies found off Niskey Lake Road, through the mothers who forced a reluctant city to act, the fiber evidence that built a case with no fingerprints and no murder weapon, the night on the James Jackson Parkway Bridge, and the trial of Wayne Williams — a man convicted of two murders while 27 other cases were closed without ever going before a jury.📝 Want the deeper dive — case files, contested evidence, and everything that didn't fit in this episode? Join the Substack:👉 https://substack.com/@criminalmotives🔔 New episodes every day:👉 https://youtube.com/@CriminalMotives📚 Guides & Resources:👉 https://stan.store/MatthewPhiferMSeD— Sponsors & Affiliates —🧠 Get 15% off therapy with BetterHelp:http://betterhelp.com/mattphifer🎬 Try Opus Clips for free:https://www.opus.pro/?via=criminalmotives💰 Bring your finances together with Monarch — 50% off:https://monarch.com/referral/174kyzqlww?r_source=share* This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.— Connect With Me —TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@phifermediahqInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattphifercoachingThreads: https://www.threads.com/@mattphifercoachingFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BS47jva1w— Listen to the Podcast —Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminal-motives/id1493583482Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TfiV6cmNj6tcyXGsanv0t— Video Credits —This episode uses archival footage and interview clips from:- 11Alive – Atlanta Child Murders coverage- CNN Special Report – Atlanta Child Murders (feat. Soledad O'Brien)- CBS News – Atlanta Child Murders Special Report, 1981 (Dan Rather)- Hezakya News & Films – 1983 Special Report- Hezakya Newz – Atlanta Child Murders: Wayne Williams, Part 1- William Scarbrough – Reclamation: The Story of the Atlanta Child Murders- Shannon Holmes – The Investigators: 1979 Wayne Williams- Black Drop – Wayne Williams Killer Documentary, 2018- Obscure Citizen – Atlanta's Very Own Boogeyman- Unpredictable – Atlanta Child Murders Explained

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27 Dead Children. 1 Conviction. The Case Atlanta Closed Without a Trial.

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