41-Year-Old Millionaire Dead in Steamy Atlanta Love Labyrinth
Lance Herndon was the picture of success: a tech pioneer, a socialite, and a self-made millionaire. But behind the polished façade lurked secrets that would ultimately lead to the 41-year-old's brutal murder. On a quiet August morning in 1996, his life ended violently, and the search for his killer began.
A Career Built on Ambition
Lance Herndon was a self-made millionaire and the founder of the successful tech firm Access Inc.. Still, Herndon's success extended beyond business — he was a charismatic figure, well-loved in Atlanta's social scene, and known for throwing lavish parties.
But Herndon's charm masked a complicated personal life. He was described as a ladies' man, maintaining relationships with multiple women. While his charisma earned him admirers, it also created tension and suspicion in his romantic engagements — a factor that would prove deadly.
The Beginning of the End
Herndon's life took a dangerous turn after he met Dianne Baugh, a Jamaican immigrant, at his birthday party. The two quickly became involved, despite Dianne being married at the time. Their affair was tumultuous, and tensions escalated when Dianne discovered that Herndon was seeing other women. Enraged, she showed up at his home unannounced on July 10, 1996, only to find him with another lover. The confrontation turned heated, and Herndon was forced to call 911. He ended the relationship and filed a trespassing complaint against her.
The situation appeared to calm down, but when the unresolved legal matter was set to go to court on Aug. 8, 1996, neither Herndon nor Baugh appeared that day. When Herndon failed to show up for work, his mother went to check on him and discovered his lifeless body, bludgeoned to death.
The Hunt for Herndon's Murderer
The investigation into Herndon's murder revealed a calculated act. Police found no signs of a struggle, suggesting the attack was premeditated. Herndon's body bore evidence of being struck over 10 times, and all the alarm clocks in his house had been unplugged — one of which was frozen at 4:10 a.m., providing a critical timeframe for the crime.
Suspicion quickly fell on Dianne Baugh, whose volatile history with Herndon made her a prime suspect. Evidence linked her to the murder, and she was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Her initial trial resulted in a life sentence, but legal technicalities overturned the conviction. In a plea deal, Baugh admitted to voluntary manslaughter in 2001 and received a 10-year prison sentence. She was released in 2011.
Remembering Lance Herndon
Lance Herndon's death shocked Atlanta and left a lasting impact on those closest to him. His young son, Harrison, lost his father, but Herndon's legacy continues to guide him. Nearly three decades later, the story of Lance Herndon remains a haunting reminder of how envy and betrayal can unravel even the most successful lives.
References: Atlanta Millionaire with "Secrets" Found Bludgeoned To Death in Home, Had "Quite a Few Girlfriends" | What happened to Atlanta entrepreneur Lance Herndon? Details on Dateline episode The Killer Among Them, explored
