Bio

Michael D. Terry was born in 1960. He grew up in a neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia. Not much is known about his early childhood. Terry had a difficult upbringing, which may have influenced his later life choices.

As a young adult, he became known to frequent bars and taverns in the Atlanta area. These places were where he often met new people. Finding connections in these social spaces was part of his routine. Terry struggled to find stable work and lived in a rooming house. His living situation reflected challenges he faced during these years.

Terry collected firearms during this time, which he sometimes sold for cash. This habit contributed to his life in and out of trouble. He seemed to be in a cycle of trying to make ends meet while dealing with personal issues. Despite these challenges, he was able to maintain a presence in the social scene of Atlanta.

By the mid-1980s, he had become involved with others who were part of a similar lifestyle. This included friends and acquaintances he met at bars. His life during this time was marked by instability and tumult.

Murder Story

In December 1985, Curtis Brown, a 21-year-old man, went missing after he left his home in Atlanta, Georgia, to buy cigarettes. Five hours later, he was found dead in Dean Rusk Park. He had been shot multiple times in the head, and his identity remained unknown until a few days later when his girlfriend reported him missing. Investigators traced his last known movements to a tavern, where he was seen leaving with a larger man known as "Big Mike."

Nearly a year later, another victim, Daryl Williams, was found in an abandoned building in October 1986. He was also shot in the back of the head, and his body showed signs of having his pants pulled down. Daryl had last been seen at a bar, and his death was eventually linked to that of George Willingham, another man who was found shot in the head in an alley.

Detectives reviewed the cases and identified Richard Williams, Alvin George, and Jason McColley as additional victims, all of whom fit a similar profile and were killed in a similar manner. Many of the victims were either street hustlers or male prostitutes, and they were found with their pants down, indicating they may have been killed after sexual encounters.

After connecting the series of murders, police focused on Michael D. Terry. He had been living in a rooming house and had a collection of guns. When arrested, he was found with a hidden .357 magnum. During questioning, Terry confessed that he met his victims in bars and claimed he killed them in self-defense, alleging that they had threatened him.

A jury did not accept his defense, and on February 22, 1987, Michael Terry was convicted of the murders of Curtis Brown and Richard Williams. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole, with other cases kept open for potential future proceedings.