Woman, 40, and her dog Bowie are stabbed to death while out for a late-night walk in Atlanta park
Police are searching for a suspect who stabbed a woman and her dog to death in an Atlanta park.
Katherine Janness, 40, and her dog, Bowie, were found dead in Piedmont Park early Wednesday around 1am.
Police said Janness was stabbed multiple times in what Deputy Chief Charles Hampton described as a 'gruesome attack'.
The suspect remains at large. Officials said they have not yet determined a motive for the slaying and it is unclear if it was targeted or random.
Katherine Janness, 40, and Bowie (pictured above) were found dead in Piedmont Park early Wednesday around 1am
Police say Janness (pictured with Bowie) was stabbed in a 'gruesome attack'
Officials say it's too soon to determine a motive for the killing, noting they are unsure if the stabbing was targeted or a random act of violence (photo of Piedmont Park where the victim and her dog were found)
Authorities released a photo of Janness crossing a rainbow-painted crosswalk near the park in the city's Midtown neighborhood. They are currently working to retrace her steps.
It is unclear why she was inside the park after dark, CBS 46 reports. Detectives are working to obtain footage from security cameras at the park and nearby businesses.
According to Fox 5, a dive team will also search the park's lake for clues.
Investigators are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest or indictment.
Reporter Kaitlyn Rossi echoed the request for tips in a heartfelt Facebook post featuring photos of Janness and Bowie.
'The last photo police have of Katie Janness doesn’t show the kindness in her eyes. It doesn’t show her sweet spirit or how she cared for her family. It doesn’t show the love she had for her dog, Bowie. I just saw this picture of the two of them together and it broke my heart,' Rossi wrote.
'Looking at this picture of Katie and Bowie, I just know they protected each other to the very end. I wanted to share this picture in hopes that someone might see her face or see Bowie and realize they know something — that they know anything that could bring the monster who did this to justice.'
Meanwhile, community members have created a makeshift memorial in the park for Janness and Bowie, leaving behind flowers and dog treats.
Anyone with information regarding the case should contact Atlanta Police Homicide Unit at (404) 546-4235 or Crime Stoppers at (404) 577-8477.
Community members have created a makeshift memorial (pictured above) in the park for Janness and her pup, leaving behind flowers and dog treats
Investigators are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest or indictment
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