Atlanta Child Murders

Wayne Williams

May 27, 1958

-raised in Dixie Hills neighborhood of Southwest Atlanta
-aspiring DJ & ran radio station
- held a reputation of a liar
-serial killer from 1979-1981

Start of Atlanta Child Murders

Jul 28, 1979

Two dead male black children were found hidden under bushes. One was 14-year old Edward Smith, who was shot with a .22-caliber weapon and was reported to be missing a week before. The other was 13-year old Alfred Evans, who was killed with asphyxiation and reported missing three days before. (picture is Edward Smith).

Milton Harvey

Sep 4, 1979

14 year old Milton is nowhere to be found while running an errand for his mother & his body will not be found until November

Yusef Bell

Oct 21, 1979

9 year old disappears and body will be found in November.

Atlanta Child Murders being recognized

Nov 6, 1980

Murders continue from March to November 1980 until Attorney General directs the FBI to join the investigation of missing and murdered children in the Atlanta Georgia area.

President Reagan

Mar 13, 1981

Murders continue January through March 1981 until President Reagan announces additional federal aid for the murdered and missing youth in Atlanta

Photo of suspect

Apr 21, 1981

Core director Ray Innis claims to have a photo of the suspect who is in charge of Atlanta Child Murders

Confirmation that photo is a suspect

Apr 23, 1981

Atlanta Public Safety Commissioner Lee Brown identifies the photo found by Ray Innis as a suspect in Atlanta Child Murders

James Jackson bridge

May 22, 1981

After hearing a loud splash on James Jackson bridge, Wayne Williams is found to be driving the car around the area and is stopped while police question the suspect.

Nathaniel Cater

May 24, 1981

body is discovered of 27 year-old Nathaniel on banks of Chattahoochee downstream from James Jackson bridge

Arrested

Jun 21, 1981

Wayne Williams is arrested and charged with the last of the Atlanta Child Murders being Nathaniel Cater and Jimmy Payne.

Wayne Williams Trial begins

Dec 28, 1981

Trial begins as Wayne Williams is the accused murder who is charged w/ committing the Atlanta Child Murders.

Attorney Lewis Slayton

Jan 6, 1982

The argument in trial of Wayne Williams begins.

Witnesses

Jan 8, 1982

First witnesses are called to trial.

Evidence of Murders

Jan 19, 1982

Controversial fiber evidence introduced by Lewis Slayton in the Wayne Williams trial.

Testimony

Jan 25, 1982

Judge Clarence Cooper allows testimony linking Wayne to murders other than two adult murders he is initially charged with.

Guilty as charged

Feb 27, 1982

Wayne Williams is found to be guilty in the Atlanta Child Murders.