Katie Janness & Bowie Memorial Fund Raiser

Brutally murdered in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park

Katie Janness, 40, was a dog lover and a partner to Emma Clark for six years. She worked as a bartender at Campagnolo Restaurant. Bowie was their beautiful 3-year-old dog.

In the early morning hours of July 28, 2021, Emma Clark returned home but her partner, Katie Janness, wasn’t there. When she couldn’t get an answer to her calls, she used her Find My Phone App to search for her. She followed the app to Piedmont Park where she came upon the body of Bowie, their dog, and then Katie, a hundred yards away. Both had been stabbed multiple times. Katie was gruesomely disfigured.

Police are still searching for the perpetrator of this heinous crime. Residents in Midtown and nearby neighborhoods are still stunned and in shock of this terrible loss. Park users are shaken and disturbed.

Emma says, “I lost the love of my life and my baby boy. It was tragic. She was the most intelligent, kind, humble, and beautiful person I have ever known. I wanted to spend every second with her. He was the sweetest most loyal companion. My heart is so very broken, my world will never be the same. Thank you to everyone who has reached out. It is truly appreciated.”

An initial GoFundMe page was created by Heather Johnson, Emma’s cousin. These funds were given to cover costs as needed by Emma and the family. It has now been closed.

Help us to Remember Katie & Bowie

Going forward we wish to keep their lives and loss alive through a living memorial at the park they both loved so much. Working with Piedmont Park Conservancy, we believe planting a tree and buying two benches would honor their memory. They would be planted near the Piedmont Park off-leash dog park. According to Emma, Bowie probably died trying to defend Katie. Their love was deep and she knows he wouldn’t have willingly let anyone hurt her. The dog park space seems to be a wonderful, fitting spot to remember the two of them forever.

All funds collected will go to Piedmont Park Conservancy directly. Any excess funds collected, after buying the tree and two benches, will be donated to Piedmont Park Conservancy's Dog Park in their honor.

The local news ran numerous stories on Katie and Bowie. You can view one of them here:

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/partner-woman-killed-piedmont-park-feels-lost-without-her-favorite-person-world/ZV5LV354SJH7LIYFN4A2XDUQJY/

#RememberKatie&Bowie                     #KatieGoneTooSoon               #StandUp4Katie