Atlanta Millionaire Lance Herndon’s Mysterious Murder Reveals Secrets and Multiple Suspects

Lance Herndon, a charismatic and successful Atlanta millionaire entrepreneur, was found bludgeoned to death in his home on August 8, 1996. This high-profile murder case has recently been revisited in a new episode of NBC‘s *Dateline*, titled “The Killer Among Them,” which aired on November 22, 2024.

Herndon’s life appeared to be a picture of success from the outside, but investigators soon discovered that he was hiding several secrets. One of the key revelations was that Herndon had multiple girlfriends, which significantly expanded the list of potential suspects. “Investigators quickly learned that Lance had quite a few girlfriends,” noted podcaster Ericka Bozeman in the episode.

The investigation was complex, with numerous individuals who could have had motives to kill Herndon. His business rivals were initially suspected, but the focus soon shifted to his personal life. Private investigator Charles Mittelstadt highlighted that “what we saw on the surface was just a very small percentage of what was going on in his life”.

Close friends and associates, including Talana Carraway and Harrison Herndon, Lance’s son, were interviewed for the *Dateline* episode. Carraway recalled urging Herndon to be careful just before his death, a warning that took on a tragic significance in hindsight.

The case ultimately led to the identification of Herndon’s ex-girlfriend, Dionne Baugh, as being tied to his death. Despite the passage of nearly three decades, the case remains intriguing due to the numerous potential suspects and the secretive nature of Herndon’s life.

The *Dateline* episode features interviews with several key figures, including former Executive District Attorney in Fulton County Clint Rucker and Roswell Police Officer Tommy Williams. The episode highlights the challenges faced by investigators in piecing together the events surrounding Herndon’s murder.