Ep 1. The Atlanta Serial Killer: Do You Know Where Your Children Are? Pt. 1

In season 5 of the true-crime documentary series How It Really Happened, the first episode is titled "The Atlanta Serial Killer: Do You Know Where Your Children Are? Pt. 1." This episode delves into one of the most notorious crime sprees in American history that terrorized the city of Atlanta for two years.

In the summer of 1979, Atlanta was struck by a series of child murders that left the entire city in fear. Most of the victims were African American boys, between the ages of 7 and 14 years old. Their bodies would be found in rivers or abandoned buildings, and often showed signs of violence and sexual assault.

The episode begins by introducing the audience to the victims, who were innocent kids with bright futures ahead of them. The show uses photos and interviews with family members to give viewers a sense of their personal stories and the devastation that their deaths caused.

The Atlanta Police Department was under immense pressure to find the killer quickly and bring him to justice. However, their investigation was hindered by a lack of resources, a lack of cooperation from the community, and institutional racism. The show explores how these factors contributed to a slow response from the police and a lack of progress in the case.

The show also features interviews with former police detectives who worked on the case, including Jack Mallard, who was a lead investigator. They discuss the challenges they faced in trying to solve the murders and their theories about who the killer might have been.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this episode is the killer himself. Dubbed the Atlanta Child Killer, this unknown suspect was never identified. The show provides a detailed account of his crimes, including how he would lure his victims into his car and how he would dispose of their bodies. The audience is left wondering who this person really was and what motivated him to commit such heinous acts.

Overall, "The Atlanta Serial Killer: Do You Know Where Your Children Are? Pt. 1" is a gripping and emotional episode that highlights the tragic events that rocked Atlanta in the late 1970s. The episode is told in a way that is both informative and respectful to the victims and their families. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in true-crime stories and the pursuit of justice.