'Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children': Release date, plot, trailer and all you need to know about the HBO documentary
The harrowing murders of more than 25 African-American children and young adults in Atlanta in the 1970s and 1980s will be the subject of an upcoming five-part documentary series on HBO, titled 'Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children'.
The semi-solved case, commonly referred to as the Atlanta Child Murders, is a horrific and shameful chapter of human history and was also the basis of the plot for 'Mindhunter 2'.
In the spring of 2019, the decades-old case was reopened by local authorities, hoping to re-test existing DNA and evidence with advanced technology and bring justice to the lives lost.
Release date
'Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children' premieres on April 5 on HBO.
Plot
The documentary series offers unprecedented and never before seen footage detailing the abduction and murders of at least 30 African-Americans between 1979 and 1981. It aims to give significant insight into the case through exclusive archival material, investigations, and interviews with the kin of the victims.
It chronicles the story from the disappearance and discovery of the bodies of two teenage boys, and later various other Black victims, whose brutal murders had shocked and wreaked havoc in the city of Atlanta.
It also presents the indictment and prosecution of Wayne Williams who was sentenced to two life terms after being found guilty of killing two adults. He was also linked to the murders of 10 children. The remaining cases were ultimately attributed to Williams and closed without even going to trial.
It delves into the several unanswered questions surrounding the case and addresses the social unrest and racial discrimination that might have been. Furthermore, it focuses on the rush to officially shut down the case, and the victim's family and other community members doubt about Williams.
The series also discloses alternate suspects and pinpoints the possible biases and unexplored leads that hindered the original investigation.
Creators and Producers
Sam Pollard, executive producer and director (Show of Force)
Maro Chermayeff, executive producer and director (Show of Force).
Jeff Dupre, executive producer and director (Show of Force)
The series is executive produced and directed by Joshua Bennett and produced by Saralena Weinfield for Show of Force.
Mike Jackson, executive producer (Get Lifted Film Co. in association with Roc Nation)
Ty Stiklorius, executive producer (Get Lifted Film Co. in association with Roc Nation)
John Legend, executive producer (Get Lifted Film Co. in association with Roc Nation)
Sara Rodriguez will serve as supervising producer with Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller as executive producers for HBO.
News
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reopened the 40-year-old case in 2019 and police chief Erika Shields announced that they would retest evidence retrieved from the 'Atlanta Child Murders' and examine DNA with advanced technological equipment.
“[We hope] to let them know that we have done all that we can do… to make sure their memories are not forgotten… and in the truest sense of the word to let the world know that black lives do matter," Bottoms added.
The children never had memorials held in their honor and are only remembered as those who perished at the hands of a murderer while fear plagued all of Atlanta, especially among the Black community.
"If they pursue this, it's going to destroy the Atlanta name for a while,” said Anthony Terrell, the brother of one of the victims, Earl Terrel. Stressing on the consequences the pursued interest in the case could potentially have on the city, he added, "It would turn Atlanta into the real Atlanta."
Trailer
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