", "Murder Accountability Project: Tracking America's unsolved homicides", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colonial_Parkway_murders&oldid=1110597999, This page was last edited on 16 September 2022, at 11:09. Market data provided by Factset. [26], In June 2010, the victims' families requested the assistance of a retired Milwaukee Police Department homicide detective Steve Spingola. ET. If they are smart enough not to get caught, theres very little we can do.. This time, their goal is to have DNA in the cases tested. As of 2017, our research estimates that over 2000 serial killers are still at large and active in the United States. For more on the Colonial Parkway murders, watch Oxygens new limited series Lovers Lane Murders, airing Thursday, February 11 and Friday, February 12 at 9/8c and 10/9c. The Colonial Parkway is a scenic, 23-mile stretch in Virginia that links the historic towns of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. The keys were still in the ignition, the door was open, and the windshield wipers were going. Sandy was unique. Justice is found here. Dateline Crime Capsule: The Colonial Parkway Murders, SpaceX launches international crew to space station, At least 2 dead after exposure to unknown substance at N.Y. senior facility, Clark Atlanta University students mourn loss of athlete fatally shot near campus, Iranian government to investigate series of poisonings, Pennsylvania man accused of trying to bring explosive on plane, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle asked to leave Frogmore Cottage. [citation needed], In January 2010, a team from FBI Norfolk and FBI Headquarters met with the victims' families to update them on the status of the investigation. Phelps had been stabbed, but Lauers body was too decomposed to determine cause of death. On September 20, 1987, David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were shot to death in the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge, on the south shore of the James River in Isle of Wight County, near Smithfield, Virginia. There is this allure of serial killers, said, Steve Spingola, former homicide detective and author of. Directions and Map (904) 525-8080. This, in turn, ratcheted up the media when they got a hold of the fact that Camp Peary is a training facility for the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1986, a 23-mile scenic road run by the National Park Service in Virginia became indelibly linked with a series of double homicides that came to be called the Colonial Parkway murders. Im proud to know them. Moderated by former FBI Special Agent Maureen O'Connell, the panel featured family members and advocates Joyce Call and Bill Thomas along with Blaine Pardoe, coauthor of a book on the case, A Special Kind of Evil: The Colonial Parkway Serial Killings. "That tells me that either they were getting ready because they thought they were pulled over by a police officer or park ranger or whoever approached them pretended to be a cop -- or was a cop, he said. Over the years, things have changed, you know, my dad died and my mom mentally cant handle the stress of dealing with the case, said Santiago. Although it is compelling and plausible, there is no evidence that it was law enforcement, said former prosecutor and series co-host Loni Coombs. Thomas Hargrove, researcher, and archivist. The Colonial Parkway murders were a series of four double homicides from 1986-89. All the investigation had to go by is circumstantial DNA evidence, a few forensic strands from a period where that whole branch was getting its wings, and a few similarities that dont help out; the proverbial needle in the haystack. It's difficult to imagine that a community could be infiltrated in that way, he emphasized. However, Cathy was unafraid to try things that no one else had done before. She was fascinated by the circus and had dreams of running off with Ringling Brothers. Theyre very, very different in force and intensity. Knoblings father and the local constabulary spearheaded the manhunt. Dowski, 21, was found in the backseat of the car while Cathy, 27, was stuffed into the hatchback. They were never seen again after that night. David's injuries. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. [7], In 2010, the Daily Virginian-Pilot ran a photo essay on the case entitled "A Cold Case Heats Up: The Colonial Parkway Murders"[8], In 2011, author Michelle McNamara, author of I'll Be Gone in the Dark, on the Golden State Killer, later an HBO series, published a two-part exploration of the Colonial Parkway murders in her True Crime Diary. (Oxygen). The Parkway murders are believed to be the act of an apparent serial killer. At night its dark and isolated,making it an ideal spot for couples to be romantic discreetly. While genetic genealogy offers the family members a new prospect, they have never given up hope that their siblings cases will be solved. He was shy at first, but once you got to know him he opened up, he said. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. During this time, a serial killer had struck multiple times, mostly attacking couples, along the Colonial Parkway in and around Williamsburg, Virginia. Months later, they were found murdered, wrapped in a blanket in the woods. She was brilliant, beautiful and well-educated, but she was also thoughtful, modest and a deep thinker. He said extremely graphic crime scene photos were leaked to the public, fueling the familys anguish. ", "Who Committed The Lovers' Lane Murders? The sun begins to set Tuesday evening September 27, 2016 near an overlook along the Colonial Parkway. It was known, not only by the homosexual community, but by the haters of the homosexual community, he said. Because of the Colonial Parkways reputation, Thomas and Dowski could have been chosen at random. Or could it be that four separate criminals were executing young people in the area? Cathys throat was slit so deepthat she was nearly decapitated. The vision behind the Murder Accountability Project. Daniel Plott, retired Virginia State Police, concurred. For the the other half, the parents who have died, they will never see justice for their childrens deaths. 2023 Copyright Colonial Ghosts. Cathy Thomas, 27, and Rebecca Dowski, 21, had been dating for several months when they went out for food on October 9, 1986. The young woman had graduated from the U.S. As the agent at the beginning of this diabolical coverage said: What made these murders stand out was the complexity of them.. All the victims were killed with different methods (stabbing, strangulation, gunshot wound). Tying them all together helps in a way because, if they put a title to it and people want to put together a show, Paula Hailey said. The first known victims there could very well have been others before that havent been uncovered or linked to the case were Cathleen Thomas, 27, and Rebecca Ann Dowski, 21. From about October 1986 to September 1989, 8 people are presumed to have been murdered near Colonial Parkway in Eastern Virginia. Unburieda true-crime blog with no illusions in the police, the privileged, or the powerful. Stephen's bedroom crime scene. From 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred on or near the Colonial Parkway. Cathy had graduated from the U.S. To the FBI, he was a suspect; to the victims family, he was a patsy. If she had not been killed, Bill Thomas is sure she would have gone on to accomplish anything she wanted. Cathy Thomas would drive up from Virginia Beach to visit her girlfriend, Becky Dowski, at the College of William and Mary on Thursday nights. Every couple weeks, he hears from someone new. He and Cassandra Hailey vanished while on their first date in 1988. "When Cathy and Becky were killed, we thought it might be a hate crime. Why not just tell us that our case will never be a priority? The Colonial Parkway is 23 miles of beautiful Virginia road running between Yorktown and Jamestown, and as such, far from a terrifying, serial killer-y location. She had everything going for her. Several clothing items were found in the vehicle, as were the car keys. Refresh the page, check. By that time, local police were well aware that there was a predator on the loose, and they had a somewhat bivouac profile to work-off. A typically tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be the setting for a gruesome string of murders. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Three days later, their bodies washed up onto the beach at Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge. Mainly because no bodies have ever been uncovered. Spingola believes the ThomasDowski crimes are directly linked to the deaths of Lollie Winans and Julie Williams who were found with their throats slashed in the Shenandoah National Park, 180 miles west of the Colonial Parkway, in 1996. IE 11 is not supported. Maps of crime scene. What the investigators uncovered was a horrid tableau of deprivation. Its a roadway and state route, partly manned by the National Park Service, that interlocks Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Bill Thomas shudders at the thought to this day. As this field continues to advance, Moore said agencies could be waiting to test for better results. Thomas and Dowskis were a hate crime motivated by the couples lesbian relationship. The only evidence of any wrongdoing was the discovery of Calls red Toyota Celica, unoccupied at the York River Overlook. WTVR News 6 in Richmond reported that there was additional DNA evidence available for testing in the Colonial Parkway murders. Sept. 20, 1987: David Knoblings truck was found abandoned in a parking lot with the door open, the radio on and his wallet on the dashboard. There is this allure of serial killers, said Steve Spingola, former homicide detective and author of Predators on the Parkway, who has spent more than 20 years looking into the murders. Federal Bureau of Investigations Public Affairs Specialist Christina Pullen would not confirm the presence of DNA, whether it has been tested or any specifics on the ongoing case. We feellike we could be just as close to start to solve these cases. Gays and lesbians were banned from the Navy at that time, and she had been investigated by nine agents regarding her sexuality, her brother told producers. Welcome to "Mind Over Murder." In this episode, co-hosts Kristin Dilley and Bill Thomas kick off an in-depth discussion of the Colonial Parkway Murders with criminologist and crime scene reconstruction expert Dr. Laura Pettler. The Colonial Parkway Murders may be linked with other cases in Virginia around that time frame, including the 1996 murder of Alicia Showalter Reynolds in the Route 29 Stalker case, and the murder of hikers Julie Williams and Lollie Winans in the Shenadoah National Park . The FBI is investigating the slayings of Thomas, Dowski, Call, and Hailey, as they were found dead or went missing on federal property. So, who were the Colonial Parkway murder victims? Fred was considered something of a hero when he uncovered a slew of photographs leaked from the FBIs office in Norfolk. Thomas and her girlfriend Rebecca Dowski were both killed in an incident that many believe was the first killing in the Colonial Parkway Murders. With portions built between 1930 and 1957, it links the three communities via a roadway . In 1991, the Virginian Pilot ran a three-part series on the Colonial Parkway murders by reporter Greg Schneider, who was permitted special access to FBI lead investigator Robert Meadows. From a macro view of the murders, the fact that they all took place in close proximity bolsters the popular belief that a serial killer stalked the Colonial Parkway. Knobling's black Ford Ranger pickup truck was found at the refuge parking area next to the James River Bridge with the wipers and radio on and some articles of clothing inside. Lovers Lane Murders, a new four-part Oxygen series, uses fresh interviews with criminologists and victims family members as well as crime-scene reconstructions and analysis to puzzle out the still-unsolved Colonial Parkway murders. The bodies of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski were found near this location in October of 1986. Becky was collateral damage.. Thursday night was theirs a time when they could be alone together despite living so far apart, despite living in such an unwelcoming world every Thursday night, they were able to live as they wanted. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. We had a good and long conversation about everything and started asking, What do we do and how do we get the word out? Call-Canada said. or redistributed. He and Cassandra Hailey vanished while on their first date in 1988. The Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile (37km) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links Virginias Historic Triangle. Since then, 62-year-old Fred had numerous encounters with the law, including a larceny charge; 100 dollars. Cathy Thomas, 27, and Rebecca Dowski, 21, were strangled and had their throats cut in 1986; David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were shot in 1987; Keith Call, 20, and Cassandra Hailey, 19, disappeared after a college party in 1988 and are still missing; and the remains of Annamaria Phelps, 18, and Daniel Lauer, 21, were found by hunters in 1989. He told Lovers Lane Murders that there may be links between the first and third murders, which are firmly tied to the Colonial Parkway. The linking of the four crimes is circumstantial, and no suspects have ever been publicly identified. But when the other crimes started taking place, year after year, youre just shocked This person may have a law enforcement background or at least understand how law enforcement works.". At the time of her death, Cathy was dating Dowski, a student at the College of William and Mary. Did The Colonial Parkway Victims Know The Killer? Paula and Teri Hailey, Cassandra Haileys sisters, have written letters over the years to the FBI pleading for answers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, For the past 15 years Janette Santiago, sister of Robin Edwards, has been the main point of contact for her family. Fred died in 2018, and whatever secrets he had died with him. Im the older brother of Cathy Thomas who together with her girlfriend Rebecca Dowski were the first two victims in the so-called Colonial Parkway Murders, he wrote. Between 1986 and 1989, at least eight people were murdered near or along Virginias Colonial Parkway by an apparent serial killer. You saw Dr. Pettler in the four part true crime TV series, "Lovers Lane Stoking this belief is the fact that victims car windows were found rolled down at crime scenes, according to Irvin Wells, retired FBI special agent. The Colonial Parkway Murders The Colonial Parkway is a historic and scenic road that links together the three points of Virginia's Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Julia Williams, 24, and Lollie Winans, 26, displayed a wealth of similarities to the Parkway case. They show how the Colonial Parkway Killer stalk 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays While the search for answers continues, theories have emerged. According to Parabon NanoLabs Genetic Genealogist CeCe Moore, genetic genealogy involves linking DNA of unidentified bodies and/or potential suspects to relatives who have uploaded their DNA to genealogy sites that allow police to access their genetic information. Inside The Unsolved Cases", "Inside the Maddening Search for Virginia's Colonial Parkway Serial Killer", "New Investigator Looking into the Colonial Parkway Murders", "New details published in Colonial Parkway murders", "Is note a break in Colonial Parkway murders? His newest endeavor is a podcast which he co-hosts with Kristin Dilley called Mind Over Murder. The podcast has extensively covered the Colonial Parkway cases, in addition to exploring other trends in crime, such as DNA advancement. Joyce Call-Canada is the older sister of Keith Call. EXCLUSIVE: Bill Thomas is adamant that in his lifetime, hell find out the identity of his sisters murderer. Why? It also fuels a theory about a possible copycat killer who used the 1986 Colonial Parkway slaying as a way to misdirect investigations into the 1988 double homicide. Legal Statement. Im sorry we met as a part of this club that no one wants to be invited to join, but they are wonderful, thoughtful people on their own and have done great things to keep their family members memories alive, Thomas said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. I feel like for my husband and my sister-in-laws sake well, really the whole family just wants to know what happened to their loved one, Jennifer Phelps, Annamaria Phelps sister-in-law, told Richmond.com. Lauer and Phelps might have been a settlement of scores and was carried out by a professional, while Knobling and Edward were murdered following a robbery. Laundry room crime scene. The Colonial Parkway murders were the slayings of at least eight people apparently by a serial killer along the Colonial Parkway of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia (or nearby) between 1986 and 1989. All of these factors are critical to understanding the mystique that the murders still hold over the national narrative. After Lauers, car a gold 1972 Chevrolet Nova, was found abandoned on the I-64 New Kent rest stop, investigators combed the countryside looking for what was no doubt a fresh crime scene. She worked two jobs while studying, caring for toddlers at a daycare center and at the colleges English department as a clerk, the Virginian Pilot reported in 2016. "In those first classes at the service academies, they were subject to such levels of hatred and harassment. Its still unclear what David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were doing together the night of their murders in 1987. I think the offender was targeting Cathy, Dr. Laura Pettler, a forensic criminologist, told Lovers Lane Murders. He dealt with the body with a lot more contempt.. From 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred either on or near the scenic, seemingly safe road. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. The cases are now the subject of a new four-part true-crime docu-series on Oxygen titled "Lovers Lane Murders." Just a beautiful woman, her sister-in-law, Ginny Minarik, told Lovers Lane Murders.. 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