User reviews

Fascinating documentary. Do I think Wayne Williams murdered kids? Yes. Did he murder all of them? no. I've always thought there was more then one killer. A very interesting time in our history. I remember it well.

"Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children" (2020 release; 5 episodes of about 55 min. each) is a documentary mini-series about the slew of young black kids who were murdered or disappeared in Atlanta 40 years ago. As Episode 1 opens, it is "March 21, 2019", and Keisha Lance Bottoms, Mayor of Atlanta, and then Erika Shields, Atlanta Chief of Police, address the press, informing them and the public at large that they are reopening the investigations into the many unresolved cases, all of which took place between 1979 and 1981. We then go back in time, as we are introduced to Atlanta's background, becoming a mecca for blacks, and electing a black mayor for the first time in 1974. "Is the black mecca a myth or a reality?", asks the voice-over. It leads to the first case, when on July 28, 1979, two decomposed bodies are found in remote southwest Atlanta... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: as I didn't move to the US until 1983 (from Belgium), I was completely unaware and unfamiliar with this story. It absolutely blows the mind when you think about it: over a period of 23 months, 30 black kids (most of them in the 9 to 16 age range) met their demise or "were disappeared", and most of these cases were never resolved. Say what?!? Based on Episode 1, this series is a two-for-one: of course there is the question as to who committed these crimes (and why), but in a separate yet clearly parallel path, we look at the troubled history of racial tensions and the civil rights movement is Atlanta, the self-proclaimed "Empire City of the South" and "The City Too Busy To Hate". Of course the late 70s and early 80s are also a point in time when urban decay was at or near its peak, and we get to witness this as well, courtesy of the archive TV and film footage of that era. I can't wait to see the remaining episodes.

"Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children" premiered this weekend on HBO and is now available on HBO On Demand and other streaming services. New episodes air Sunday evenings at 8 pm Eastern. If you are a fan of true crime stories or of the underlying racial tensions that were (are?) found in big cities like Atlanta, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

You know, it's really sad how some people have to turn everything into a race war without sensibly processing truth, reality and more importantly context. This is not a docu-series made to condemn or bash Whites. It is literally an actual account of what happened, and the effect it had on the Black community of Atlanta in the late 70s, early 80s. It is not some biased twisted narrative that the filmmakers are trying to use to pit one race against the other.

Sadly of course this will fall on (some) deaf ears but my experience was extremely positive. It really gave me a sense of the climate in ATL during that time. It's poignant, eye-opening and yes, at times angering because it presents to the viewer objectively what actually occurred and the fact that it took 9 murders before it was even taken seriously.

Very very well done ! The next episode can't come soon enough.

Normally, I hesitate at watching a true crime documentaries (we've all seen it) inside the mind of the killer type of deal where it's told from the perspective of the confirmed killer and then cut to the testimony of the people who grew up with him. Or the cliche reconstruction of the police investigation along with testimony from law enforcement personnel who worked those particular cases. Yes, the documentary minimally includes these elements mentioned above as a form of constructing context for the Child Murders that rocked the city of Atlanta in the late 70's to early 80's. But this documentary is far more compelling and bold in its storytelling than your typical standardized true crime 'crapola/junk'. The documentary does a magnificent job of not only depicting the horrifying nature of Atlanta's innocent children being murdered. But also manages to vividly illustrate to the viewer the historical and social factors (particularly the strong class divide that plagued the city especially it's African American communities) that caused the city of Atlanta to downplay the extent of the murders (as a manner of not scaring away economic investment) hence leading to more children being vulnerable to becoming a victim of targeted attacks. As seen in the documentary the city that was touted as being too busy to hate actually turned out to be the city that was too busy to properly investigate. Never forget the beautiful children that where taken way before their time in the city of Atlanta (1979-1981).

This documentary is about the murders of some of Atlanta's youth from 1979 to 1981, allegedly by Wayne Williams who was convicted of two adult murders unrelated to the kidnapping and murders of 29 children. Atlanta was the first major city in America to have an African American elected official, he hired an African American police commissioner during this time to ensure fairness to the African American community. Watching this mini-series you will learn all the other information that was withheld from the public for the last four decades. This miniseries is a must-watch, regardless of what some people may saying in their reviews, this documentary has nothing to do with racism or the African American community for blaming white people for the loses of the black children, but the opportunity for 29 cold cases to be solved.

About 30 African-Americans were abducted and murdered in and around Atlanta, GA from 1979 to 1981. Of these 30 cases, about 22 were under the age of 16. The victims were often found killed by asphyxiation, sometimes stabbing. Often, they would disappear, sometimes from a very public place, such as a video arcade. Most of them were found in woods near Atlanta and then in rivers near Atlanta, such as the Chattahoochee River. A few bodies were found near dumpsters.

About mid-1981 they found a plausible suspect, Wayne Williams, 23 years old. At the time, the evidence against him seemed pretty compelling. He was caught driving his station wagon on one of the Atlanta bridges over the Chattahoochee River shortly after a loud splash was heard at about 3:00am in the morning. The car had turned around on the bridge and was driving very slowly, almost as if the driver was trying to be silent. When asked to tell police why he thinks he was stopped, his first statement was about the child murders. When asked about what he was up to, he claimed he was going to verify an address for a prospective appointment or audition the next morning. Really? At 3:00am in the morning? Williams was involved in music recording, media and television b-roll footage. They let Williams go. Later it was determined the person he claimed he was going to see in the morning was a fiction.

Two days later the body of a 27-year-old was found floating in the Chattahoochee River. Authorities also found fiber evidence at Williams' home which supposedly linked Williams to some but not all of the murder victims. Carpet fibers and the fibers of a dog. The police had created a profile of the possible murderer, and law enforcement felt Williams checked all the boxes. He had made some idiotic statements about black children, their mothers, and even about asphyxiation. After his arrest the murders stopped.

But I don't believe the circumstantial evidence mainly convicted Williams. His behavior after his arrest before his trial was beyond irresponsible. It was reckless, and he acted as if it was a joke. He called law enforcement names and didn't take the trail seriously. Maybe down deep he didn't believe he would be convicted, assuming he didn't commit the murders. He was in a sense, his own worst enemy, and he blew up at the jurors when he was on the stand at his trial.

When asked about the murdered children, he would say things like "their mothers are letting their children run wild." That's not what you say in the midst of a murder case, one of the largest in US history which was getting both national and international media attention. It goes without saying, Williams was convicted of two murders in 1982. Atlanta law enforcement decided that if he did two of them, he had done all of them, even though he wasn't put on trial for even half the child murders. The two victims he was charged with were 21 and 27 years old.

Late in the documentary, new evidence, particularly of another covert investigation, gets covered up. Turns out the police were also investigating white Klu Klux Klansmen who were also suspects. After Williams was arrested, many of the evidence gathered about KKK suspects was suppressed and wasn't offered to the defense team. Apparently there were even tapes of Klansmen which may have had bearing to exonerate Williams, but they were destroyed. Why would they destroy this evidence?

A developing theory, not proven, is that members of the Klan actually perpetrated the murders. There may have been sufficient evidence. However, the government, possibly from pressure as far away as DC, covered it up fearing if a Klansman was arrested there would be race riots across the states. If true, it would mean that Williams was a kind of sacrificial lamb to prevent a nationwide race war. But I don't believe that justifies convicting an innocent man and letting murderers get away with their crimes.

The other thing which is strange: that supposedly Wayne Williams, a guy about 5'7" in height and not known for using guns or engaging in combat, supposedly killed two people not only bigger but one was significantly older. The last victim found in the Chattahoochee River was far taller than Williams and 27 years old. Williams was convicted of killing a 27-year old and a 21-year old at the age of 23. The children could be more plausible, but other grown men? It's seems hard to swallow. Also, law enforcement decided, upon Williams' conviction, that the other 5 young adults and 22 children were also killed by Williams, sort of by default. Really?

Two things I gleaned from the documentary. Firstly, the evidence against Williams is pretty shaky at best and the state barely proved maybe he killed two people, one older and larger than himself. Secondly, Wayne Williams is not the most likable person. Even in interviews later, he sort of rubs me the wrong way. However, just because someone is a bit of a jerk, regardless of their race, that is not enough to convict someone of possibly killing 30 people. Well maybe his conviction stopped a race war! I don't think the conviction of an innocent man is ever justified. The trouble is, it could happen to someone else. If a member of the Klan was killing children, they should be charged and hopefully convicted, regardless of the consequences outside.

"HBO" has once again done it with an eye opening real investigative doc that ask new questions and challenges old answers, as with this "Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children" it examines in blunt brash detail the murders and apparent serial killings of young black children from 1979 to 1981. The footage is gripping and tough seeing the crime scene photos and news footage of young bloody black boys in the woods and along riverbanks. Interviews are given with family members of the deceased like mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and grandparents, as you the viewer see their pain and emotion as they still search for answers over 40 years later. Plus interviews are given with the Atlanta police detectives, and F.B.I. investigators and both sides of the legal teams the prosecution and defense. As you get to hear both sides story and see the evidence for yourself. And these murder cases all tied into poverty, and race as clearly these murders put a stain on the rising city of the South. Also the theory and possibility of the Klan being involved in the murders is highlighted and spotlighted plus you ask the question was the federal government playing a game of race against Mr. Williams. Overall you call it and be the judge, was he guilty or not? Were their other serial killers who knows, overall well done in depth blunt eye opening brash investigative doc that still asks and searches for answers.

After reading the negative reviews that were clearly written by people who fail to acknowledge privilege and oppression. This series depicts events that occurred in Atlanta during this time. It shows viewers the opinions and emotions of the people these events directly impacted. Saying this "has nothing to do with Racism" is ignoring the harsh reality of systematic racism. Even if the negative reviewers say they have "studied African and other histories" any intellectual would know that history has been written to reflect Eurocentric views and ignored the voices and stories of many others. Please watch this series with an open mind and acknowledge privilege before saying this is "anti-white" because the message of this series is in fact BLACK LIVES MATTER.

Essential viewing. It's about time the truth was given a big platform like this. Watch ASAP.

Corrupt legal system as usual So sad for people's children's in America getting murdered Never understand the American legal system FBI & police & crime....... ?????

In the grand scheme of true crime documentaries, where the dark and the macabre often overshadow the need for a good snack break, "Atlanta's Murdered and Missing: The Lost Children" emerges as a beacon of storytelling that almost, *almost* made me forget I was out of popcorn. This series, a compelling mosaic of heartbreak, intrigue, and a city's tangled history, masterfully walks the tightrope between respectful recounting and edge-of-your-seat entertainment. It's like the creators knew we needed to be reminded of humanity's resilience, but also that we love a good plot twist. And boy, do they deliver, albeit with a sobriety that had me reaching for tissues instead of the remote.

Diving into the depths of Atlanta's most harrowing mystery, this documentary series does something remarkable: it educates without putting you to sleep (a rare feat in the genre). Through a kaleidoscope of interviews, archival footage, and a narrative pace that's more gripping than my grandma's handshake, it paints a vivid picture of a community in turmoil. But let's be real, the real MVP here is the editing team, who must have been wizards in a past life, because they managed to weave decades of complexity into something even I could understand. And I once got lost in a Wikipedia rabbit hole trying to understand how to boil an egg.

In conclusion, "Atlanta's Murdered and Missing: The Lost Children" is a must-watch, serving not only as a poignant reminder of a tragedy but also as proof that true crime can be both respectful and riveting. Just make sure you have your detective hat at the ready - for fashion, if not for investigation.

This is a documentary series about racism, not about true evidences or investigations. They don't even mention the DNA tests done in 2007, so I couldn't care less about their "hypothesis".

This series has been focused on nothing but racism perpetrated by white America, rather than the "missing, murdered and lost children". There has been zero new, much less any, factual evidence presented. Nothing new being brought to the case (other than the absolutely absurd placing of blame on two dead presidents! Wow). It's all been local people spewing fantasy land, deluded racist nonsense. And now they're giving Wayne Williams a platform to speak from.. seriously?! Phoned in via prison, ever so caring, thoughtful, nice, neat and curated no doubt, in a church full of people, including victims families no less! Talk about the devil in disguise (as if). Absolutely despicable.

Do you want to know what is really going on in Atlanta? Watch "The First 48 S19E19" (aired the same week as episode 2 of this series). It's an inside look at the way Atlanta really is. You will be shocked. Or maybe not.. depending on how desensitized and brainwashed you are at this point by agenda driven shows such as this one.

Either way, the truth to the matter is this, this HBO series is a complete and utter farce. Talk about the KIDS and NEW evidence, or take your racist PC deluded BS propaganda and go away already.

Wayne Williams was absolutely guilty. He was a serial killer and a pathological narcissist. A key fact not even raised in this biased "journalism", the killings stopped immediately after Wayne Williams was arrested. Why leave that out? Why was Wayne Williams on the bridge, driving slowly at 3:30 AM just after a loud splash was heard? This being a bridge where bodies where known to have been dropped from. What in the world was he doing there?

I don't need to list the mountain of circumstantial evidence against Wayne Williams, suffice it to say, if Wayne Williams were white this would have been a cut and dry. Nobody would have given it a second thought.

What HBO is trying to do here is to make this a racial issue 40 year after the fact. The Atlanta politicians are trying to do the same thing. The fact that the Atlanta child killer was an African American was and still is too much for these people to handle. Everything must be viewed through a prism of race. Of course, the KKK is brought into the equation even though there is no proof.

Wayne Williams has been elevated to a celebrity in prison, this is EXACTLY what he wanted. That's who he is. He knows damn well he's guilty and that he'll never see the light of day.

The fact that most African Americans believe William's is innocent, and that the government was sweeping the issue under the rug is profoundly sad. We are now living in a country where people have their own alternate views of history. A Nation can't go forward with beliefs like this

Burn in Hell Wayne Williams, you murdered dozens of children and now you are enjoying the attention it brought you. I can't think of a more evil human than WW.

Unlike some others who have commented here, I think they kept most of their political biases out of this documentary for the first 4 episodes. But then came Episode 5, the final episode, which was as slanted an episode on the Atlanta Child Murders as could possibly be done. The last episode was almost completely shown through the prism of the defense, with maybe a minute or two of the prosecution side saying a few things. I wasn't living in the South at the time, but I was following this case when it was happening, and it's certainly a fascinating and very sad story. I said to my wife when this series started that if they want to prove that Wayne Williams didn't do all the murders, I could go along with that. But episode 5 tried to make the case that not only didn't Wayne Williams do any of these murders, but that it was most likely white people who killed all those black kids. Well, that just showed to me how this series was pure propaganda. I won't spend the time detailing this case in this review, but there are many, many reasons why Williams was convicted. And all these conspiracy theories about trying to prevent a race war and/or keeping Atlanta's image clean and wholesome were just ridiculous. Do the people who subscribe to these theories still think that OJ didn't do it too?

An important story and very detailed but the amount of crime scene and autopsy photos diminish rather than add to the storytelling. The victims were mainly children and that these photos were used and used so much it is as if it they were murdered again.

This production is typical of HBO's biased, activist journalism that pervades their documentaries of the 2010s. The first four episodes lay out the events is a fairly even way, but episode five jumps the tracks.

The case against Wayne Williams is powerful and compelling, with some of the most damning circumstantial evidence one could imagine. He was at the remote bridge in the middle of nowhere at 3 AM at the same time a body was dumped in the river. There was some strong physical evidence and testimony as well. His conviction will never be overturned.

All this said, the narrative that this documentary is pushing seems to be that because not every child murder could be linked to Williams, he must be innocent of all the killings he's been convicted of. It would appear that a black man being responsible for dozens if child killings is simply too painful for African Americans in Atlanta. So, they want to create as much confusion as they can by reopening cases that are 40 years old.

Near the end, one of the civil rights attorney's comes right out and says "we're not hoping to find anything new, we're hoping to clean up the legacy of the Atlanta child murders". Case closed.