Lance Herndon
👤 PersonAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
A night to remember. A lavish birthday party high atop Atlanta's Hilton Hotel. It was to celebrate a leader and a CEO, a man respected, charismatic, at the very pinnacle of his career. Exactly the evening he wanted. After all, Lance Herndon threw it for himself. What did he tell you about the party? That it was going to be the best party Atlanta has ever seen.
A night to remember. A lavish birthday party high atop Atlanta's Hilton Hotel. It was to celebrate a leader and a CEO, a man respected, charismatic, at the very pinnacle of his career. Exactly the evening he wanted. After all, Lance Herndon threw it for himself. What did he tell you about the party? That it was going to be the best party Atlanta has ever seen.
Hundreds of people were there to wish him well. It was a who's who of Atlanta society.
Hundreds of people were there to wish him well. It was a who's who of Atlanta society.
Lance had more than just his birthday to celebrate. He'd risen from humble beginnings to become one of America's most successful black entrepreneurs, earning millions along the way.
Lance had more than just his birthday to celebrate. He'd risen from humble beginnings to become one of America's most successful black entrepreneurs, earning millions along the way.
In that moment, 30 floors above the city, Lance Herndon seemed to be on top of the world. No one there could have known that in just months, Lance would be dead. Or that the perpetrator was among them that very night.
In that moment, 30 floors above the city, Lance Herndon seemed to be on top of the world. No one there could have known that in just months, Lance would be dead. Or that the perpetrator was among them that very night.
August 8, 1996. Holly Stuber pulled up to Lance's Large Colonial on this cul-de-sac in the tony Atlanta suburb of Roswell. It was where he ran his lucrative computer company, Access Inc. Holly, one of a handful of employees who work there, unlocked the door to the home office at precisely 8 a.m.
August 8, 1996. Holly Stuber pulled up to Lance's Large Colonial on this cul-de-sac in the tony Atlanta suburb of Roswell. It was where he ran his lucrative computer company, Access Inc. Holly, one of a handful of employees who work there, unlocked the door to the home office at precisely 8 a.m.
Among those companies, Bell South, Delta Airlines, and Coca-Cola. So Lance was doing well. He was, very much. That morning, inside the office, Holly was surprised to find no sign of her boss.
Among those companies, Bell South, Delta Airlines, and Coca-Cola. So Lance was doing well. He was, very much. That morning, inside the office, Holly was surprised to find no sign of her boss.
She also noticed something else that was amiss. Normally, Lance left audio tapes on each employee's desk first thing.
She also noticed something else that was amiss. Normally, Lance left audio tapes on each employee's desk first thing.
Lance, she says, was a stickler for time. He also wanted everything in its place.
Lance, she says, was a stickler for time. He also wanted everything in its place.
Had he overslept? Not likely. Employee and friend Talana Caraway says Lance made sure of that. He set three alarm clocks?
Had he overslept? Not likely. Employee and friend Talana Caraway says Lance made sure of that. He set three alarm clocks?