Atlanta Tech Millionaire’s Mysterious Death Unveiled in Dateline Episode
ATLANTA — Get ready for an intriguing evening, folks! This Friday night, Dateline will take viewers into the heart of an Atlanta mystery that rocked the tech world back in the ’90s. The case involves the tragic death of tech millionaire Lance Herndon, whose lifeless body was discovered in his home on August 8, 1996.
Who Was Lance Herndon?
Lance was not just your everyday tech mogul; he was a successful businessman who made a name for himself in the rapidly growing tech industry. However, it seems that beneath that shiny exterior lay a tangled web of relationships and a slew of unanswered questions. In the wake of his shocking murder, whispers suggested that maybe his untimely demise was related to a business rivalry. But as the investigation unfolded, it took a much darker turn.
The Dark Secrets Begin to Unravel
According to private investigator Charles Mittlestadt, what appeared to be a straightforward case on the surface was actually just the tip of the iceberg. “What we saw on the surface was just a very small percentage of what was going on in his life,” Mittlestadt explained. As the investigation progressed, it became clear that Herndon had a complicated dating history that shadowed the timeline of his final days.
Ex-Girlfriend and Key Suspect
As authorities sifted through the evidence, one name rose to the forefront — Dionne Baugh, Herndon’s ex-girlfriend. It was alleged that Baugh killed him because he refused to rekindle their relationship. The plot thickened when investigators realized that they didn’t have concrete evidence against her until she went through her own divorce proceedings two years later.
Trials and Tribulations
In March 2000, a Fulton County jury found Baugh guilty of Herndon’s murder, but her victory was short-lived as the conviction was overturned following an appeal in August 2001. A subsequent trial ended in a hung jury, leaving the desperate search for justice hanging in the balance. Just when it seemed like the case might slip into the shadows, Dionne took a plea deal, ultimately admitting to the killing.
Final Judgment: A Sentence of Voluntary Manslaughter
In a twist that none could have predicted, Baugh pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence and an additional 10 years of probation. She served her time at Pulaski State Prison and was released in July 2011. While she continues to navigate life on the outside, the ripples of that fateful night still linger. This tragic tale hasn’t just remained in the dusty archives of Atlanta history; it has been prominent enough to feature in various media, including an episode of The Real Murders of Atlanta on Oxygen.
Don’t Miss It!
If you’re as intrigued as we are, don’t forget to tune in to the Dateline episode airing on Friday at 9 p.m. on 11Alive. With twists, turns, and heart-stopping revelations, this episode promises to shed more light on what truly happened to Lance Herndon. Will justice ever be served? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – this is a story you won’t want to miss!
As always, you can turn off notifications anytime in your browser settings. Buckle up; it’s going to be an interesting ride back to the scene of a crime that continues to haunt Atlanta.
