Atlanta Monster is a true-crime podcast presented by iHeartPodcasts and Tenderfoot TV.

It traces the host, Payne Lindsey, investigating the Atlanta Child Murders for chilling details to finally give closure to the victims' families.

What's Atlanta Monster about?

The Atlanta Monster is a true crime podcast about one of America's most tragic and mysterious cases: the Atlanta Child Murders.  

Late 1970s and early 1980s: at least 28 children, teenagers, and adults were murdered in Atlanta, Georgia.

A series of horrifying murders paralyzed the city, when mainly Black children and teens disappeared under similar circumstances until they were found murdered.

This series really tells everything about the massive police investigation into Williams' arrest to subsequent controversies.

Though he was convicted for two adult murders, there are still quite a few question marks on his involvement in the children's death.

Was he responsible for all killings, or did truth fall through the cracks of this flawed investigation?

Through interviews with powerful victims' families, law enforcement, journalists, and experts alike, Atlanta Monster explains how race, media attention, and public pressure sculpted the investigation; it looks at the emotional toll on a community still seeking justice decades later.

Less a story, more of an in-depth investigation brought to life in this podcast, it leaves the listeners to ponder some haunting questions: Did the authorities stop searching for the real killer too soon? How did race and class influence the handling of the case?

The immersive narration by Payne Lindsey, along with archival audio and first-hand accounts, makes Atlanta Monster both heartbreaking and impossible to turn off.

The combination of interviews, archival tapes, and investigative reporting lends the series a documentary quality, but it's deeply personal in its human focus.

Who's it for?

If true crime podcasts that focus on real events and unsolved mysteries interest you, then Atlanta Monster is certainly the show for you.

It is definitely tailored for those listeners who would enjoy investigative storytelling, with its historical context and thoughts and discussions about justice, race, and community.

Fans of podcasts like Dr. Death, or In the Dark will find Atlanta Monster equally compelling.

Episode you’ll love

Episode 2: "The Reign of Terror" - Chilling insight into early days in the case, as it became clear the community could be dealing with a serial killer on the loose.

Episode 6: "The Suspect" - The introduction of Wayne Williams and how he came to be the focal point of the investigation.

Episode 10, "The Questions Left Behind," was one of discomfort, a peering-into question marks that hang in the air above the case in search of real answers.

When to listen

Atlanta Monster is a limited series, and all episodes can be listened to now. Episodes are 40 - 60 minutes long.

Where to listen

You can find Atlanta Monster on Podcastai Chart, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and every major platform where podcasts are available.

About the Host

Payne Lindsey is a filmmaker, podcaster, and a co-creator of Tenderfoot TV.

Lindsey had been praised due to the innate ability in narrating a number of the most complicated true crimes through exhaustive research into the material, to which he added very strong storytelling.

Payne Lindsey also hosted the smash-hit podcast Up and Vanished, in which he was able to find new leads in a cold case explored through the show.

Since then, he has become one of the most recognizable voices within the true crime genre.

A filmmaker by trade, Payne brings a cinematic element to his storytelling, keeping listeners engaged from start to finish.

Anything to keep in mind?

Atlanta Monster covers mature themes, including violence, child murder, and race and justice.

Listener discretion is advised; some episodes may be too intense for listeners who are sensitive to graphic content.

More of a reader than a listener?

Check out the official podcast webpage for episode recaps, supplemental materials, and behind-the-scenes insights.

You can find the story of Wayne Williams here.

Other podcasts you may like

48 Hours: crime and justice stories where CBS correspondents bring you inside major investigations

Crime Junkie: gripping tales and fresh insights of infamous and overlooked cases.

Dateline NBC: gripping true-crime stories and insightful documentaries for true crime lovers.

Each of them is filled with the depth of investigation and emotional storytelling in such a manner that no one can ever forget Atlanta Monster. Final Thoughts:

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Author's note

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