Wayne Bertram Williams

Serial Killer

Wayne Bertram Williams: The Atlanta Child Murders

Background

Wayne Bertram Williams was born on May 27, 1958, in Atlanta, Georgia. He is widely believed to be responsible for the infamous series of killings known as the Atlanta Child Murders, which took place between 1979 and 1981. Although convicted of only two adult murders, police linked him to at least 23 of the 29 total victims, most of whom were African-American children and young men.

The Crimes

The murders began in July 1979 and lasted until May 1981. Most victims were found strangled or asphyxiated. The killer’s pattern was elusive, often leaving bodies in rivers, wooded areas, or isolated spots around Atlanta. Despite public panic and intense media scrutiny, the investigation took months to yield any suspects. Wayne Williams came under suspicion in May 1981 after a surveillance operation near the James Jackson Parkway bridge. Police heard a splash in the river and stopped Williams driving away shortly afterward. Days later, the body of Nathaniel Cater, one of the final victims, was discovered in the river nearby.

Arrest and Conviction

Williams was arrested in June 1981 and stood trial for the murders of Nathaniel Cater and Jimmy Ray Payne. Though he was never tried for the majority of the child killings, law enforcement closed the cases of several children based on evidence linking Williams. He was convicted on February 27, 1982, and sentenced to life in prison. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (2)

Jimmy Ray Payne Age: (21), Date of Death: April 23, 1981

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Suspected Victims:

Edward Hope Smith Age: (14), Date of Death: July 28, 1979

Alfred Evans Age: (13), Date of Death: July 28, 1979

Milton Harvey Age: (14), Date of Death: September 4, 1979

Yusef Bell Age: (9), Date of Death: 1979-10-21

Angel Lenair Age: (12), Date of Death: March 4, 1980

Jeffrey Mathis Age: (10), Date of Death: March 11, 1980

Eric Middlebrooks Age: (14), Date of Death: May 18, 1980

Aaron Wyche Age: (10), Date of Death: June 23, 1980

Patrick Baltazar Age: (11), Date of Death: February 6, 1981

Christopher Richardson Age: (12), Date of Death: 1980-06-09

Latonya Wilson Age: (7), Date of Death: 1980-06-22

Anthony Carter Age: (9), Date of Death: 1980-06-06

Earl Terrell Age: (10), Date of Death: 1980-09-12

Curtis Walker Age: (13), Date of Death: 1981-03-06

Joseph Bell Age: (15), Date of Death: 1981-04-19

Wayne Williams - Wikipedia

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