The 40-year-old woman killed in Piedmont Park more than three months ago was stabbed at least 50 times and died from injuries to her upper body and torso, according to the autopsy report.
Katherine Janness was found July 28 inside the park, not far from her Midtown home. On Friday, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s report from a July 30 autopsy was released.
“It is my opinion that Katherine Janness died due to sharp force injuries of her face, neck, and torso that caused injuries of major blood vessels and internal organs,” Dr. Karen E. Sullivan wrote in the report. “The manner of Ms. Janness’ death is classified as a homicide.”
Janness also had blunt force injuries, according to the medical examiner. On her chest and torso area, the letters “FAT” were cut into her skin, the report states. Of the more than 50 cuts on Janness, 15 were to her head, according to the autopsy findings.
The bodies of both Janness and her dog, Bowie, were found in the park in the early morning hours when the two didn’t return from a walk. Janness’ girlfriend, Emma Clark, used a cellphone app to track her, Clark’s father previously told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Credit: Steve Schaefer
After a short walk from the couple’s home, Clark found both Bowie and Janness dead, about 100 feet apart, Clark’s father said.
Atlanta police, along with the FBI, have been investigating the case.
In the days after the deaths, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said there was no evidence the crime was committed by a serial killer or was a hate crime. But the case is not a typical one for investigators and more help was needed to solve it, she said.
“This does not fit the description of anything that we’ve seen,” Bottoms said.
More than three months later, no arrests have been made in the case.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the APD homicide unit at 404-546-4235 or Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may also text information to 274637 or visit the Crime Stoppers website.
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