In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking case of William Deshaun Hamilton, a six-year-old boy whose skeletal remains were discovered in the woods of DeKalb County, Georgia, in 1999. Despite years of investigation, forensic testing, and national attention, William remained unidentified until 2022.
We trace the investigation from the discovery of his remains to the courtroom nearly 25 years later, exploring how advances in forensic science, facial reconstruction, and one woman's unwavering determination helped restore William's identity. We also discuss the trial of Teresa Ann Bailey Black, the verdict, and the questions that remain unanswered.
William's story is a reminder that even when decades pass, every child deserves to have their name restored—and their story told.
- The discovery of William's remains in DeKalb County, Georgia
- The early investigative clues—and why they led nowhere
- How forensic science evolved over two decades
- The role of facial reconstructions in identifying unidentified children
- Ava McNeil's determination to uncover the truth
- How a single tip finally identified "Clifton John Doe"
- The arrest and trial of Teresa Ann Bailey Black
- The verdict, sentencing, and unanswered questions surrounding William's death
TimeLine
00:05 – The evening that changed everything
00:35 – A devastating discovery in DeKalb County
01:16 – The first clues investigators uncovered
02:21 – Why the cause of death remains unknown
03:57 – The decades-long search for William's identity
05:09 – Buried as "Clifton John Doe"
06:15 – Forensic evidence and overlooked clues
07:58 – Why investigators believed William had been abandoned
09:41 – DNA testing and the limitations of the late 1990s
10:55 – The importance of forensic facial reconstructions
13:32 – Ava McNeil's recognition and relentless search for answers
15:28 – The reconstruction that reignited the investigation
16:52 – William's life before he disappeared
17:53 – Leaving Charlotte and William's disappearance
20:47 – The tip that finally solved the mystery
22:37 – Giving William his name back
23:48 – The trial of Teresa Ann Bailey Black
36:31 – The verdict and sentencing
41:57 – William's legacy and the search for justice
Sources
- FOX 5 Atlanta. "Boy's remains found in cemetery still not identified 20 years later." Published February 27, 2019.
- FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Ann Black murder trial: Old friend testifies against mother accused of murdering son in Atlanta." Published January 3, 2024.
- FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Ann Black Trial: Mother accused of murdering 6-year-old son waives last chance to testify." Published January 8, 2024.
- FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Black trial: Mother sentenced to 10 years for concealing son's death." Updated January 12, 2024.
- A&E Crime + Investigation. "A Decades-Old Cold Case Ends With the ID of a Young Boy, and His Mother Charged With Murder." Published December 16, 2022; updated August 27, 2025.
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) press releases and case information.
- DeKalb County Medical Examiner records and publicly reported court proceedings.
- Public court reporting and news coverage reviewed to verify the investigation timeline, trial proceedings, verdict, and sentencing.
