x
Breaking News
More () »

Atlanta Child Murders suspect Wayne Williams denied appeal for parole

The board voted in November to deny parole.

ATLANTA — The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied an appeal for parole for the man authorities long believed to be behind the Atlanta Child Murders.

According to the board, Wayne Williams had a parole consideration set for October, and the board voted in November to deny parole. 

According to a Nov. 20 letter to Williams, the reason behind the denial was because of "insufficient amount of time served to date given the nature and circumstances of your offenses(s)."

The board set the next parole consideration for Williams for November 2027.

For decades, investigators have called Williams the prime suspect in the Atlanta Child Murders, during which 29 children were killed in the late 1970s and 80s. Though Williams is currently serving two life sentences in jail after being convicted of killing two adults back in 1982, he was never tried for any of the child murders. 

RELATED: Wayne Williams proclaims his innocence in Atlanta Child Murders

Prosecutors did use fiber evidence in his trial for the two murders to try and link Williams to the child killings, but because he was never tried in court, doubt still lingers of whether he was actually the one responsible for the dozens of disappearances and deaths. Nearly four decades later, the discussion continues, and Wayne Williams is still in prison.

RELATED: Why was Wayne Williams never tried for any of the Atlanta child murders?

Over the years, families of some of the victims' relatives have expressed disappointment in the handling of the case. 

In April, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the city would re-examine evidence in the nationally-recognized case. She said that the decision to re-examine evidence from the cases and test it with new technology is a message to Atlanta’s historic African-American community, which has endured the pain and mourned the victims of the crime spree for nearly 40 years. 

MORE ON THE ATLANTA CHILD MURDERS:

Before he dies, a witness is sharing what he knows about The Atlanta Child Murders

'Our children matter' Mayor Bottoms announces decision to reexamine Atlanta Child Murders after 11Alive story

Family finally locates grave of Atlanta Child Murders victim killed in 1981

'Baby, momma got a chance to memorialize your death' | Murdered boy's mother gets wish

When her teen was killed in 1979 she was heartbroken, but didn't know he would be the first of dozens

Secret investigation into KKK during Atlanta child murders uncovers fear of race riots

Before You Leave, Check This Out