Up and Vanished Weekly

Episode: MURDERED: Katie Janness

Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Maggie Freleng
Guests: Payne Lindsey, Vince Velasquez (retired Atlanta homicide detective)
Podcast Network: Tenderfoot TV

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the brutal and still-unsolved 2021 murder of Katie Janness and her dog Bowie in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park—a case that has shaken the city’s LGBTQ+ community and remains active four years later. Host Maggie Freleng and Tenderfoot TV’s Payne Lindsey reconstruct the night of the murder, explore the investigation, and interview retired homicide detective Vince Velasquez for an inside look at why this case has confounded investigators and what makes it so chilling.

Main Discussion and Insights

1. The Night of the Murder

• Katie’s Routine and Last Moments

  • Katie Janness was walking her dog Bowie after visiting her partner Emma, who was bartending at Henry's Tavern (04:14).
  • She left the bar intending to return once Emma’s shift was over.
  • Emma became concerned when Katie didn’t return; she used the Find My app to locate Katie’s phone near the entrance of Piedmont Park.
  • Emma discovered the horrifying scene just yards inside the park: Bowie was dead on the path, and nearby, Katie’s body, brutally stabbed (04:14–06:17).

• Public Impact

  • The murder sent shockwaves through Atlanta due to both its brutality and visibility, with the location being a large, popular urban park (06:17–07:00).
  • "The gruesome nature of her killing shook everyone, even catching the attention of PETA," Maggie notes (04:43).

2. Details of the Crime

• The Crime Scene

  • Katie suffered 40–50 stab wounds to her face, neck, and torso.
  • The word "FAT" was carved into her torso, and one breast was nearly removed (08:17, 33:49).
  • Both Katie and Bowie were killed; Bowie’s mouth and paws were swabbed for DNA (08:17).

• Evidence and Challenges

  • Surveillance cameras in Piedmont Park were not recording that night due to outdated tech, eliminating key video evidence (08:17, 18:07).
  • The last sighting of Katie alive is street camera footage at 12:09 AM, showing her and Bowie near the park entrance (08:17).

3. Victimology & Immediate Suspects

• Katie’s Life and Relationship

  • Katie described by her partner Emma as "the most intelligent, kind, humble and beautiful person I have ever known" (07:06).
  • They lived together in a progressive, LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhood near the park (07:00–08:17).

• Emma as a Suspect

  • Police thoroughly investigated Emma but concluded she couldn’t have been physically involved given her timeline and 911 call (09:50).
  • Emma publicly implored police to clear her, as she faced harassment and threats from the public (09:50).

4. Forensic and Investigative Challenges

• Crime Scene Difficulties

  • "With knife attacks, it's a little different. There's blood, there's usually a confrontation... the crime scene moves," Vince Velasquez explains the complexity (19:18).
  • The presence of multiple actors (Katie, attacker(s), dog) complicated DNA recovery and scene processing.

• Timeline and Witness Actions

  • Katie was likely killed between 12:20 AM and 1:00 AM, a narrow but challenging window for investigators in a large, dark, sparsely populated area (09:50).

5. Expert Analysis: Vince Velasquez Interview

Detective’s Perspective on the Investigation

• "Crossing T’s, Dotting I’s"

  • The lead investigator created a robust timeline, canvassed businesses for external footage, and investigated known homeless camps and residents (18:17–19:18).
  • Despite exhaustive efforts, "still that person was not captured on video," noting the park's vastness and the absence of active surveillance (18:17, 19:11).

• Challenges Posed by Stabbing Case

  • "It's not an easy scene... With knife wounds, there's usually a confrontation... so crime scenes move," making evidence collection and reconstruction particularly hard (19:18).

Behavioral & Forensic Insights

• Attack Analysis

  • Many back wounds were superficial, suggesting Katie tried to run; defensive wounds on her hands and arms were consistent with her fighting for her life before succumbing (22:33).
  • The brutality indicates a "fit of rage" and suggests the killer could not have avoided being "drenched in blood" (22:33).

• Theories and Motivation

  • Vince distinguishes between a premeditated attack (possibly personal) and a crime of opportunity, but doubts a stalker would wait out so late for her specifically (26:55).
  • "For me, I think as a detective that this was maybe a crime of opportunity," though he later leans toward someone known to Katie due to its singular nature (26:55, 41:26).

• Killer Profile

  • The killer may have been familiar with both Katie and Bowie, as a pit bull’s presence would deter a stranger. "Maybe this is someone who knew Bowie" (30:25–30:59).
  • DNA from an unknown male was found in Bowie’s mouth but was not sufficient for a database match (33:29).

• Psychological Tells

  • The mutilation of the breast and carving of letters suggest "depravity of the mind"—a killer possibly motivated by more than just murder, perhaps with ritual or psychological fixation (33:49).

Comparative Casework

• No Known Serial Pattern
  • No other cases locally or nationally have matched this signature, increasing belief that this was targeted and unique (41:26).
  • Vince: “If it was a total stranger suffering from mental illness, I think we would have seen other cases… We haven't seen that. Which now brings us back to someone close to this particular victim" (41:26).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Overkill:

  • Vince Velasquez (22:33):
    "What speaks to me is rage. Like, this person was literally in a fit of rage when they were doing this."

• On the Killer’s Mindset:

  • Vince Velasquez (33:49):
    "It was more important to complete what they were doing than the risk of getting caught."

• On the Psychology of Mutilation:

  • Maggie Freleng (36:08):
    "For this person to be in a public park and not worried about being caught, that, to me, implies someone that is more on the Ted Bundy than a random, angry person."

• On the Uniqueness of the Crime:

  • Vince Velasquez (41:26):
    "I would leave you with this, that this is a case that is... extremely difficult in a sense that it shocked our conscience as a community... The lack of evidence, cameras out, not a lot of DNA, no physical evidence... if you had to ask me what my true thought would be... that this is someone close to this victim."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:14–06:17: Timeline and discovery of the crime
• 08:17: Autopsy and crime scene details
• 09:50: Police theory—familiarity with killer, questions about Emma’s involvement
• 15:28–19:18: Detective Velasquez’s background and his early perspective on the case
• 22:33: Analysis of wounds and what they reveal about the attack
• 26:55: Crime of opportunity vs. targeted attack discussion
• 30:25–30:59: The significance of Bowie (pit bull) and killer’s possible relationship to the dog
• 33:49: Forensic specifics—attempted breast removal and implications
• 36:08–36:39: Serial killer comparisons and ritualistic elements
• 41:26: Closing thoughts on case status and likely perpetrator

Episode Takeaways

• Complex Case, Minimal Evidence: The GA police remain stymied by a lack of physical evidence, nonfunctional park cameras, and a crime scene complicated by extreme violence and movement.
• Personal Motive Likely: Both the brutality and the apparent familiarity suggest a killer close to Katie rather than a random stranger or serial killer.
• Community Impact: The LGBTQ+ and local Atlanta community remain deeply affected by the killing. Fear and sorrow persist years later.
• Case Active, Reward Offered: The case remains open with a $25,000 reward for information ($10K from PETA dedicated to justice for Bowie). Police urge anyone with tips to contact them.

How to Help

Anyone with information is urged to contact:

• Atlanta Police Department Homicide Unit: 404-546-4235
• Crime Stoppers (anonymous): 404-577-TIPS

Closing Reflection

“Katie Janess was doing everything right... It’s odd no one heard her screaming or barking or saw any commotion... even in our most comfortable moments, we can still be vulnerable.”
— Maggie Freling (43:51)

Next week: The series will explore another perplexing vanished persons case. Stay tuned for more rigorous analysis and updates.