Murder In America EP. 191: GEORGIA - The Child In The Trash Bag: The Disturbing Murder of Amari Hall

Podcast by Bloody FM | Hosts: Courtney Shannon & Colin Browen
Date: February 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This harrowing episode delves into the tragic murder of 8-year-old Amari Hall in Georgia. Hosts Courtney and Colin unravel the events that led to Amari's death at the hands of those meant to care for her—her mother, Brittany Hall, and Brittany’s partner, Celeste Owens. Through police interviews, courtroom testimony, and heart-wrenching family accounts, the podcast exposes a sinister pattern of child abuse, institutional failures, and the determined investigation that ultimately brought justice for Amari.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Life and Family Background (04:14–09:03)

• Amari’s upbringing: Born in Georgia in 2013 to Brittany Hall, with significant early involvement from her grandmother, Barbara Wright, who recalls (“Amari was the brightest light. She brought a smile to everyone around her” - Barbara, 06:40).
• Instability & Isolation: Frequent moves between mother and grandmother’s houses. Barbara and her husband eventually lose contact due to Brittany’s sudden withdrawal with her children.
  • “We would drive around from the last place they might have stayed looking for them. But we could never find them.” (Barbara, 09:51)

Household Dynamics & Abuse (11:19–13:59)

• Brittany’s relationship with Celeste Owens: Celeste becomes a significant figure; is called "Dad" by the children.
• Constant relocation: The family moves between extended-stay hotels; living conditions deteriorate.
• Reports of abuse and neglect: Georgia DFCS conducts several investigations (2015, 2017, 2021), but allows the children to remain with Brittany.
  • “In the meantime, Britney had rekindled an on again, off again relationship with a 29 year old woman named Celeste Owens…. Their life together was unstable, to say the least.” (13:39)
• Horrors inside the home: The children were denied food, warmth, or love, while Brittany and Celeste lived in relative comfort.

Amari’s Disappearance and Investigation (14:25–21:28)

• Initial report: On Nov 21, 2021, Brittany calls 911 to report Amari missing from their hotel room, claiming the autistic child wandered off.
  • “She is very, very smart even though she is autistic.... This hurts.” (Brittany’s 911 call, 14:25)
• Police search: Hotel surveillance and interviews yield no evidence of Amari leaving on her own. Brittany and Celeste’s accounts rapidly unravel under scrutiny.
• Red flags: Officers notice lack of children’s supplies, soiled items, and what appears to be concealed evidence (duct-taped diapers, bleach).

Inconsistent Stories and Heightened Suspicion (25:09–38:44)

• Celeste and Brittany’s conflicting timelines: During police interrogations, both change their stories and contradict each other.
  • “No, there, there was a couple statements that kept changing… As one would…say something… the other would pipe up and change it.” (Officer Sorenson, 26:25)
• Surveillance footage: Police confirm neither Amari nor Brittany is seen searching or leaving as claimed.
• Suspicious attempts at deflection: Celeste fabricates a story about a man in a black car luring children.
  • “She looks like a crackhead, honestly” (Celeste referring to the supposed neighbor, 45:45).

Abuse Exposed: Police Confrontations and Children’s Testimonies (52:35–68:05)

• Interviews with Zaire and Jacari: Amari’s siblings reveal physical abuse, malnourishment, and fear of Celeste.
  • “[Zaire] said that Celeste physically removed Amari from the hotel room…and said she was taking her to the bad kids hospital.” (53:14)
• Physical evidence of abuse: Both siblings are found covered in bruises and suffering malnutrition.
• Abuse captured on video: Celeste’s phone contains recordings of the children being beaten, screamed at, slapped, and blindfolded.
  • “You're stupid as fuck,” (Brittany to Jakari while beating him, 86:21)

Discovery of Amari’s Body (86:59–91:41)

• Tragic recovery: Amari’s body is discovered in a trash bag in a wooded area, wrapped in three garbage bags, bound with a rope, with significant injuries and severe malnutrition.
  • “Amari's body had been concealed by three trash bags…and they were all secured with a long black rope. You could still see her body through some of the trash bags. She wasn't fully covered…” (Crime Scene report, 89:01)

Details of the Crime and Coverup (95:17–100:54)

• Horrific autopsy findings: Amari died from Battered Child Syndrome, with injuries consistent with prolonged, sustained abuse.
  • “Her ankles had wounds that suggested she had them tied together at one point…Dr. Downs stated that he believed…someone wearing boots had stomped on Amari's liver and crushed it into her spine.” (Dr. Downs, 92:42–94:19)
• Digital evidence & coverup: Cell phone searches reveal incriminating queries (“How do sewer drains work?” “Why do kids run away?”). U-Haul rentals and purchases of bleach and trash bags pinpoint the timeline and implicate Celeste in disposing of the body.

The Trial and Testimony (100:54–110:26)

• Prosecution’s Case: Multiple witnesses and, most critically, Zaire’s testimony implicate Celeste.
  • “That night I ate real food and my brother and my sister didn’t get no real food. Then my sister went to the bathroom…and the next morning she wouldn’t wake up…and then she got put in a container…with a lid on it, and got put in the trunk of a car and drove to… the bad kids hospital.” (Zaire’s trial testimony, 108:02–109:24)
• Jury verdict: Celeste Owens found guilty on all counts after just two hours of deliberation (110:26).

Sentencing & Impact Statements (112:30–119:27)

• Sentence: Celeste receives life in prison without parole plus 235 years.
• Victim impact: Grief-stricken statements from Amari’s grandmother and aunt.
  • “My heart is broken into millions and millions of pieces that I have not been able to put back together. To know how my granddaughter passed away is worse than you can imagine.” (Barbara Wright, 112:53)

Aftermath and Reflection (121:43–123:27)

• Brittany Hall’s trial: Still pending, with new charges including malice murder and felony murder.
• Siblings’ future: Zaire and Jakari are now in their grandparents’ care.
• Podcast makes a donation: To National Child Abuse Coalition.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Barbara Wright: “Amari was the brightest light. She brought a smile to everyone around her.” (06:40)
• Officer Sorenson: “Their stories were changing, they weren't matching up. Maybe authorities didn’t want them to suspect that they were onto them.” (28:04)
• Detective Conway: “We just want to find the kid. That’s it.” (36:37)
• Celeste, under pressure: “All I know was more was mad. And when you’re trying to calm it down, it don’t work. You. You have to let it.” (47:59)
• Dr. Downs, Medical Examiner: “When a child dies from Battered Child Syndrome, it means they faced beatings over and over again until their body could no longer take it.” (92:42)
• Zaire: “We didn’t have toys…We looked at the wall and…that’s all I can think of.” (107:02)
• Aunt Takara’s court statement: “For what they did to her, respectfully, Judge, I hope she burns in hell. It was a baby. I can’t imagine every day getting tortured like that.” (112:53)

Important Timestamps

• Early family background: 04:14–07:16
• Breakdown of contact with grandmother: 08:23–10:36
• DFCS investigations: 13:59
• Missing persons report and initial responses: 14:25–21:28
• Surveillance review and red flags: 25:09–28:04
• First police interviews—contradictory accounts: 29:56–39:03
• Celeste’s elaborate excuses and timeline unravel: 38:44–58:06
• Physical evidence, children’s bruises, and testimonies: 64:47–68:05
• Videos of abuse uncovered: 83:55–86:21
• Discovery of Amari’s body: 86:59–91:41
• Autopsy and cause of death: 92:42–94:19
• Court testimony from Zaire: 104:30–109:24
• Jury verdict: 110:26–112:30
• Victim impact statement: 112:53–119:27
• Judge Duncan’s statement: 119:40
• Celeste Owens sentenced: 121:43
• Aftermath and legacy: 123:27

Tone & Language

The language throughout is straightforward and emotionally charged, blending clinical investigation details with profound sadness and familial grief. Testimonial excerpts and police dialogues retain the raw authenticity and anguish of those involved.

Takeaway

This episode meticulously details a heartbreaking case of child abuse and murder, spotlighting the vulnerabilities faced by children in unstable, abusive homes, failures of the child protection system, and the importance of diligent, thorough police work. The hosts provide not just narrative but also reflective commentary, amplifying the need for awareness, vigilance, and advocacy against child abuse.