Celeste Owens Sentenced to Life for the Heinous Murder of Amari Hall

In a case that has shaken Gwinnett County, Georgia, Celeste Owens was found guilty on all 21 charges brought against her in the murder of 8-year-old Amari Hall.

Some of the criminal charges include malice murder, felony murder, and child cruelty.

On December 15, 2024, Owens received a life sentence without parole, plus an additional 235 years, ensuring she will never walk free again.

Celeste Owens' sentence closes a chapter in one of the most chilling child murder cases in recent history.

Amari Hall

A Timeline of Tragedy: The Amari Hall Murder Case Details

It began as a missing person report at the Gwinnett County Police Department in November 2021.

Celeste Owens and her partner, Brittany Hall—Amari's mother—claimed the child disappeared from their hotel in Gwinnett County.

However, criminal investigators from Gwinnett County Police Department and DeKalb County Police quickly uncovered damning evidence.

After an extensive investigation, they unraveled the horrifying truth behind Amari's disappearance in November 2021.

Amari Hall

Deleted videos from Owens' phone revealed disturbing footage of the pair abusing Amari and her siblings. 

Evidence also showed a U-Haul reservation and chilling internet queries, including, "How does sewers on the streets work?" 

These clues ultimately led authorities to Amari's lifeless body in a wooded area in DeKalb County.

The medical examiner's testimony painted a grim picture of Amari’s final days. 

The child suffered from battered child syndrome, malnutrition, internal injuries, and blunt force trauma. 

At just 54 pounds, her body bore scars, blisters, and wounds in various stages of healing. 

“This was not one fatal blow,” prosecutor Sabrina Nizam, a top criminal attorney in Georgia emphasized. 

“Every single blow was fatal to Amari,” she added.

Ultimately, the investigation into Amari Hall's death ended with the arrest of Celeste Owens and her partner Brittany Hall (Amari's mother)

Celeste Owens and her partner Brittany Hall

Celeste Owens Trial and Sentencing 

Celeste Owens faced 21 criminal charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, and 11 counts of cruelty to children.

During the trial, the prosecution presented harrowing evidence, including autopsy photos and videos of the abuse.

According to prosecutors, Amari suffered from repeated abuse, including starvation, and emotional neglect. 

"Amari’s official cause of death was battered child syndrome, with multiple blunt force injuries and signs of malnutrition," testified Dr. James Claude Upshaw Downs, associate medical examiner for Gwinnett County.

The defense attorney argued that the timeline of evidence did not conclusively link Owens to Amari's death. 

However, the prosecution disagreed, describing Owens' actions as “the epitome of evil.”

Celeste Owens during her sentencing

During closing arguments, Deputy Chief District Attorney Sabrina Nizam stated, “This defendant helped beat the life out of Amari,” describing the abuse as methodical and deliberate.

After just two hours of deliberation, a Gwinnett County Jury returned with a guilty verdict on all charges. 

Celeste Owens will serve life without parole, plus 235 years, for her crimes. 

Brittany Hall, Amari's mother, is set to stand trial on 17 charges, including malice murder and felony child cruelty.

As the trial of Brittany Hall approaches, the fight for justice continues.

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