x
Breaking News
More () »

Atlanta tech mogul killed in 1996 featured in Dateline episode

Lance Herndon was found dead in his metro Atlanta home on August 8, 1996.

ATLANTA — An Atlanta tech millionaire killing will be featured in Friday's night Dateline episode. 

Lance Herndon was found dead in his metro Atlanta home on August 8, 1996. It was later revealed that his ex-girlfriend Dionne Baugh was tied to his death.

According to a report from NBC News, the 41-year-old tech mogul's death left many unanswered questions. 

A preview from the Dateline episode revealed some people suspected that his death stemmed from a business rival. Herndon had some secrets that were slowly being revealed during the investigation, including his dating history lurking through the shadows, according to the report. 

"What we saw on the surface was just a very small percentage of what was going on in his life," private investigator Charles Mittlestadt told Dateline. 

Several potential suspects muddied the investigation to find his killer, but authorities soon linked his death to his ex-girlfriend, Baugh. According to CourtTV, prosecutors claimed Baugh killed him because he wouldn't resume their affair. Authorities didn't have evidence against her until Baugh's divorce proceedings two years later, according to the network. 

A Fulton County jury convicted Baugh in March 2000, but her conviction was reversed after an appeal in August 2001. Baugh's second trial ended with a hung jury. Before the third trial could start, she then took a plea deal, admitting to the killing. 

Baugh was eventually convicted of voluntary manslaughter after her plea. She received a 10-year prison sentence plus 10 years probation. According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, Baugh was released in July 2011 from the Pulaski State Prison after serving her sentence. 

The case has also been featured on Oxygen's The Real Murders of Atlanta.

Watch the Dateline episode on 11Alive on Friday at 9 p.m. to learn more. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out