Is Netflix's 'Mindhunter' true? Read from AJC archives about Devier

(This story was written to not spoil the show, but some of the events mentioned are historical. For instance, Devier was executed in 1995.)

The Netflix show “Mindhunter” details two FBI agents in the late 1970s researching serial killers before the phrase existed.

In the show, brainy hotshot FBI agent Holden Ford (played by Jonathan Groff) and old-fogey Bill Tench (played by Holt McCallany) travel the country interviewing killers in order to understand them and hopefully stop them.

Credit: Provided photo

Credit: Provided photo

During this first season — it premiered in mid-October — the story of Gene Darrell Devier and Mary Frances Stoner comes to light.

In 1979, the tree-trimmer snatched up the 12-year-old girl as she got off the bus in Adairsville, raped her in the woods and smashed her head in with a rock.

State and national media covered Devier’s case as it wove through the judicial system, including the Journal and the Constitution. (As we all remember, it wasn’t until 2001 that the newspapers merged into The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.)

Cobb has more people on death row than any other county in Georgia

We have dug through our archives and republished the following stories and pictures about the case, one of which is from 20 years after the murder. First on the list is a first-person piece recently written by a veteran AJC reporter who covered the case.

• AJC reporter reflects on Devier murder case, Stoner family's kindness

• Archive: Devier sees mom on Mother's Day — the eve of his execution

• Archive: Days before execution, the Stoners remember their quiet poet

• Archive: Parole board, court nix Devier's last-minute appeals for life

• Archive: Darrell Devier is executed for murdering, raping preteen girl

• Archive: With Devier dead, Stoner's uncle says 'we can begin healing'

• Archive: Family talks 20 years after Darrell Devier killed Mary Stoner

The show's creator David Fincher has already said that the second season will discuss the Atlanta child murders. Read more from AJC archives on Atlanta child murders.

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Darrell Gene Devier was a convicted rapist and murderer executed in 1995. His story was featured on the Netflix show "Mindhunter." The show follows FBI agents as they interview serial killers to better understand future criminals. Devier murdered Mary Frances Stoner, a 12-year-old in Bartow County, in 1979. Her body was found with signs of rape, choking and the head crushed. Devier matched the FBI's suspect profile almost exactly. He confessed and was convicted of rape and murder.

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Ben Brasch

Ben Brasch is the reporter tasked with keeping Fulton County government accountable. The Florida native moved to Atlanta for a job with The AJC. If there's something important to you going on in Fulton, he wants to know about it. Help him better metro Atlanta by dropping a line, anonymously or otherwise.

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Read chilling details behind Ga. murder case in Netflix’s ‘Mindhunter’