I admittedly enjoyed Payne’s work in Up & Vanished and I’ve done a minimal amount educating myself on the Atlanta Child Murders, however it doesn’t take a SME to see this isn’t an “investigative” podcast, it’s entirely full of opinions (mostly from people not connected to the situation) without any evidence. What little evidence this show did have seemed to come from law enforcement who believed Williams did the killings. Trying to proclaim Williams’ innocence strictly because of his race or his size is just narrow minded. Obviously Payne is growing as an artist and as a result he has gotten better with time but this series lacks any real substance and seems to serve strictly to push racial drama. Racism absolutely existed, still does, but we also know that Williams fits the shoes of just about every serial killer you’ll read about. C- at best.

Typical of certain podcasters in this genre, this podcast is riddled with inaccuracies. Very little of the trial evidence was presented. Lot’s of conjecture in interviews with people who had no connection to the actual investigation. Payne clearly set out to drive this story in a specific direction regardless of the actual facts.

Of Millennial malarkey. I’d make a comment here about a wannabe Sam Spade taking anti serum to Gnome but pretty sure it won’t land. Epitomizes the worst of the true crime (r)evolution. Hope you find the truth dude as it ain’t here.

Fan a Payne and his style of research and podcasting. Your add choice for this odd. Also many have static that is very annoying.

The killing stopped. End of story.

Payne does a great job with this podcast. I’ve listened to Atlanta Monster and season one of Up and Vanished so far. Can’t wait to listen to more!He is an excellent investigator and podcaster!

I grew up during the timeframe when the Atlanta murders were happening - the era of serial killers. Lindsey creates a compelling narrative to tell the story. All the interviews where the interviewee is allowed to do all the talking - I loved it. Lindsey didn’t make the story about him, he let those involved and impacted tell the story. Before and through most of the podcast, I had the impression that Dwayne Williams may have been wrongly convicted. And although I still can’t figure out how he threw grown men over the edge of a bridge - I now have no doubt he committed many of the child murders. There are too many coincidences where Williams was always there when the murders happened, those who he tried to abduct but lived to tell about it, nothing doesn’t point to Williams, nothing. There’s a relief that the right man was convicted in this case. So many Black men are wrongly convicted and framed, but Dwayne Williams in not one of them. I liked that Lindsey didn’t try to steer the listener one way or the other about Williams - he just shared all the information and left it to the listener to decide.

Has anyone thought or ruled out Homer as the killer?

If I wanted a podcast about woke ideology and segregation then I would have looked for one. The first two episodes are all about making us feel sorry for a certain race instead of talking about how sick someone could be for abducting and murdering children.

I really wanna hear this story but hearing this guy talk makes me feel dumber. You should be able to talk with what sounds like more than a 3’rd grade education to have a podcast. I feel bad for him Sure his daddy wasn’t around. Wish I could give 1/2 star

So good but by the time i got to episode 7 i lost interest. I’ve never ditched a series having already consumed hours of it but I lost interest. great production and story telling. I loved the context and the history but after that I wasn’t too interested in the narrative

By far the most chilling podcast I’ve ever heard. It made me furious, hopeful, and a downright investigator. Atlanta itself has a chilling past. Hearing that man recount his experience and saying “bye Rodney” was so goddamn chilling man. It was so good that I informed my book club that we were going in a different direction and all of us listened to the podcast - everyone loved the idea.

Wayne Williams is trying to do ‘altruistic’ acts but it is truly cloaked in narcissism. He wants to do record deals from prison, and focus on the ‘families of the victims’ by presenting facts that he never actually physically has. He cannot disprove his guilt. He just wants air time because he is a narcissist that is continually duping people from inside and outside prison using his charisma. I don’t think he is responsible for the ‘26’ child murders, but I do believe he has culpability and responsibility for the adults deaths of the two men AT LEAST. Every excuse he presents is outlandish and easily disproved. This podcast started out well, but then it became skewed by allowing a killer to spout his rhetoric to the world with no real evidence. To put it plainly, it’s just plain stupid. Consult some psychologists before you go speak to narcissists next time.

I was very interested in the first 2 or 3 episodes of this podcast, but when I realized where it was headed, I became super disappointed. I agree with wanting to hear both sides of the story - that of law enforcement’s and that of the accused. What I didn’t like is how the show ended up becoming so focused on conspiracies and allowing an arrogant and obnoxious criminal to give these long, drawn out speeches. I don’t believe he was responsible for all of the (29?) murders, but there’s no doubt in my mind that he was behind some of them. Really hate how this podcast ended up trying to change the narrative.

There’s only one word that can describe this podcast. Ridiculous.

Payne Lindsey is the goat of the genre of true crime podcast. Not only is he telling these stories HIS INPUT IS CAUSING CHANGE AND CLOSURE IN THESE CASES!!!

It was pretty evident that there wasn’t much drama or controversy involved in this case from very early on. So it seems like the author is trying to cause controversy where there is none. Pretty biased take overall. It’s disappointing because I like the other podcast from this author.

Wow. Who was that black women speaking in episode 2? Absolutely mind blowing and ridiculous ahahah. Saying it’s so possible it could be a white person as long as that white person dresses like a black, talks like one, walks, attitude like one… no one would notice. You ignorant lady you that one sided?? Are you forgetting that persons skin is WHITE and will stick out like a sore thumb. Then her next comment about how drug addict whites fit in black communities easy when buying drugs. Again lady, they don’t fit in at all, every thug drug dealer and their brother instantly know when a white person comes to buy drugs. Because they stick out. Dressing/talking/acting black or not. I almost had to turn the episode… that lady is a joke. Probably racist as heck too.

Why would you spoil your own work?

Thanks for making this podcast there are not many podcast out about black ppl and some of the ones out there barely touch the surface. I love the way this story is being told through the ppl who experienced and were affected by it.

My mom was born in Atl and lived in the area she was 11 around the time that all this was happening. She says in 1982 they took some of the reward money and sent her and about 20 other kids from urban youth camps to France for 7 days. That is some of what I’ve heard about what happened with the reward money and she wants to know if anybody else remembers going or took part in those trips.?.?.?

The one thing that convinced me of Williams’ guilt was that the killer must have been black as a white person or white people would have been noticed in that community-someone would have seen something that stood out especially after so many disappearances and subsequent murders. Many of these disappearances occurred in the daytime. Also, Williams had impersonated a police officer in the past and clearly had a knack for turning the impressionable into believers that he could turn them into superstars. And, looking for “Cheryl Johnson’s” address hours before their “meeting”. Guilty!

DC sniper season should not be a added as a continuation of the series. Atlanta Monster should end after the subject is complete.

On the third or fourth episode and completely frustrated that the “facts’ are not checked. Payne clearly has a bias and doesn’t challenge accusations. Makes me wish Sarah Koenig handled the story. I’ve learned nothing.

I listen to many of the productions done by Tenderfoot Tv and have enjoyed all the ones I’ve listened to. Payne always does a great job at anything he investigates. This podcast, in comparison to the others I’ve listened to, has more advertisements. They are lengthy and frequent, sometimes sounding like a 5 minute long television commercial break. I understand that ads and sponsors are needed to make a profit from these time-consuming investigations and productions, but this series has far more than the others Tenderfoot has produced. I found it annoying.

Payne seems to only focus on the angle that Williams didn’t commit the crimes while ignoring the myriad details, interviews, evidence showing that he was in fact the culprit. I don’t believe he was guilty of all of them but he’s definitely a murderer. Many locals have been interviews saying Wayne was the killer. This was ignored.

There’s so much tragedy and so much happening with these still open cases that it can become overwhelming but this show is thoroughly researched and balanced. I love the John Douglas interview at the end. I think it’s really great that after Payne’s success he chose to highlight this important story.

I was born and raised in Ga. I was a child when this case was taking place, I remember it well. I was one as well as many of my family that believed in the innocence of Wayne Williams. We believed that he was used as a scapegoat! HOWEVER in listening to your entire podcast, I have changed my position Thank You and your team for sharing your research and such great information on this case As kids we were afraid

I love the way Payne presents the story, just as I love his other podcasts. I’m always left wanting more because he is a good story teller. This podcast seemed to have a lot of long commercials though compared to other podcasts that Payne has done.

I like this podcast.. all three seasons are great.. I love the way they do it so it doesn’t feel like just lecture or talking.. it feels like a show and keeps me coming back

The editing in conjunction with Ad interruptions on the first 3 episodes make this impossible for me to continue. Ads are fairly tone deaf to the weight of the content. Placement of the Ads (which I assume is my is with the editing) doesn’t seem to be thought out. Bam! Right in the middle of a thought, etc.

I have to listen to Ep 2 and 6 on YouTube because they are Ep of the DC Sniper on here

both episodes 2 and 6 are not episodes on the case but rather episodes from other podcasts. it’s frustrating because every time i start to get lost in the storyline….BAM a random podcast that has nothing to do with the case i’m listening to

i can’t listen to this with the horror music soundtrack and the production,like it’s trying to be too entertaining. should take the subject matter more seriously and go about the production with more respect and sensitivity towards the victims.

I hear as of June 21,2021 they will be going through the evidence and have received funding to DNA test!!! please update when this info comes in!!

Wayne is guilty! It’s sad people will defend a child killer, just because race. Pod cast is very entertaining.

The opposite of upspeak. The narrator’s cadence is perplexing.

Love

I’m not into the conspiracy theories the podcast dives into at its end. BUT, this podcast is well written, narrated, and delivered. I love the editing. THE PODCAST IS GREAT.

Past ep 4, just a waste. I don't care what a murderer trying to cope in prison says. But he also was a terrible person to even interview. Sometimes it's interesting but all he did was deny and delude. Nothing substantive.

This is the most profound podcast I’ve ever heard and I’m moved to tears. I’ve had goosebumps this entire show and I’m literally sobbing!!!! Rest in Paradise, boys, men and LaTonya: Charles Stevens Earl Lee Terell Christopher Philepe Richardson Clifford Jones LaTonya Wilson Patrick Baltazar Angel Lanier Yusef Bell Jeffrey Lamar Mathis Alfred James Evans Lubie Geter Darron Glass Eric Middlebrooks Anthony Bernard Carter Edward Hope Smith Milton Harvey Aaron Wyche Curtis Walker Timothy Hill Eddie Duncan Larry Rogers Michael McIntosh Jimmy Ray Payne John Porter William Barrett Nathaniel Cater Terry Pue Patrick Rogers Aaron Jackson Charles Stephens Darren Glass

Very interesting subject but who were your sources? It felt like so much opinion.

You guys are strong to keep talking to Williams. He drove me crazy talking in circles. If he has this “evidence” and the same with Hinders (who can’t see the forest for the trees), where is it? How you guys kept going is beyond me. But it’s a great podcast!

I live in Atlanta. Very interesting to hear this one. Great content and inside info I had no idea about.

Truly banal. There is little actual information here, just mindless speculation from emo wannabes.

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...and was VERY disappointed. This podcast was episode after episode of people with zero expertise and zero evidence (and very little mastery of the English language...I mean “escape goat”? C’mon..) postulating far fetched conspiracy theories...I can accept that Williams didn’t commit all of the murders, but can never believe that he was an informant for the CIA and was framed by VP George Bush (sounds like ridiculous Qanon garbage)... Can we skip the conspiracy theories and get into something REAL like updated DNA testing??

Never knew the whole story about the Atlanta murder. Good investigating and story telling...love the 80s music to the intro.

Overall I think this was a good podcast. I first heard about the Atlanta Child Murders from the CNN special with Soledad O’Brien in 2010. This podcast and the HBO special uncovered a lot of information that I did not know about Wayne Williams and the whole case. I think is is really heartbreaking that the murders did not really get the proper attention until a lot of children were already killed. It also was clear that many of the families never received closure because Atlanta simply needed this to go away because it was bad for business. I like that the podcast lets the viewer decide for the self innocence or guilt. While I do not believe that Wayne killed all of these kids and the fiber evidence was shaky, I do not believe he is innocent. He at least killed the adult victims he was charged for. Looking forward to listening to the next season of the monster series.

Loooved the content! Love Payne Lindsey as a host. But! The sound volume of the ad is way too loud pls change for future listeners!!!