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. Thomas described the Colonial Parkway as a popular spot to travel along the river. 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. The killer has never been caught. Dogs traced their scents to the river, but soon lost it. As of 2017, our research estimates that over 2000 serial killers are still at large and active in the United States. Their purses and money were found inside the car. ET on Oxygen. PETER NYGARD ACCUSER EXPLAINS WHY SHE'S SPEAKING OUT IN NEW SHOCKING DOC: 'I HAVE NEVER BEEN QUIET ABOUT THIS', Bill Thomas, a producer on Oxygen's 'Lovers' Lane Murders' is seen here with a portrait of his sister Cathy Thomas. "She had martial arts training from the Naval Academy and she was incredibly athletic. In the 35 years since she passed, when I see all these amazing women running for president and vice president, Congress, senators, ambassadors, CEOs, Cathy Thomas would have been one of those amazing women, her brother said. [22], On February 4, 2021, in advance of their Lover's Lane Murders television series, the Oxygen Network released a series of videos including "Why Would Law Enforcement Not Release All Records On a Case Like the Colonial Parkway Murders? He said extremely graphic crime scene photos were leaked to the public, fueling the familys anguish. Julia Williams, 24, and Lollie Winans, 26, displayed a wealth of similarities to the Parkway case. 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. You saw Dr. Pettler in the four part true crime TV series, "Lovers Lane Thomas and her girlfriend Rebecca Dowski were both killed in an incident that many believe was the first killing in the Colonial Parkway Murders. Psychic Pam Coronado felt that the killings were all related but that the locations of the cars were not where the actual violence occurred. "But she was undaunted. Directions and Map (904) 525-8080. In September 1987, a truck belonging to David Knobling, 20, was found abandoned by the James River Bridge. The murders associated with the series span from the area around the Colonial Parkway around Williamsburg, to New Kent . Their bodies uncovered in Virginias Shenandoah National Park. "The families are determined to see this through. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. They plan to write another soon. Why not just tell us that our case will never be a priority? The Colonial Parkway Murders. Its a roadway and state route, partly manned by the National Park Service, that interlocks Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. ", EMILIE MORRIS, THE FORMER STUDENT WHO DIED AFTER ACCUSING HER COACH OF ABUSE, BECOMES FOCUS OF TRUE-CRIME DOC. (Photo by Scott Neville/ For The Washington Post via Getty Images), Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for February 11, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry suffered Hollywood 'miscalculation' with explosive tell-alls: experts, Jussie Smollett files appeal argument in hate crime hoax conviction, Michael B. Jordan apologized to his mom before steamy Calvin Klein underwear ad was released, Kristin Cavallari jokes shes 'heartless' for breaking up with guys over text: 'I know thats horrible', Gisele Bndchen shares tips for when 'life gets challenging': 'Remember that the sun rises everyday', Amy Grant says she leaned on her faith after horrific bike accident: Its helped me not be afraid. Annamarie Phelps, top right, and Daniel Lauer, bottom right, disappeared Sept. 5, 1989. He also helps manage a Facebook page, Colonial Parkway Murders, with 14,000 followers, which aims to build awareness of the four cases. Knobling lived in Hampton while he worked for his fathers landscaping business, and was expecting a baby with his longtime girlfriend. This section is going to be macabre, scatological, and disturbing. There is a possibility that the murders happened at the hand of a moral enforcer who viewed homosexuality, public sex, or a 20-year-old man with a teenaged girl as punishable acts, according to Clemente. 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. They also eventually helped organize some of the families. 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? As the agent at the beginning of this diabolical coverage said: What made these murders stand out was the complexity of them.. In October 1986, the bodies of Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski were discovered inside the 1980 Honda Civic that belonged to Thomass sibling. Thomas said he had been notified by the FBI a year ago that DNA in his sisters case was being sent for testing at Quantico. Why are they still a hot button topic? 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. On September 20, 1987, Knoblings truck was found abandoned by the James River Bridge, Richmond.com reported. [citation needed] The show mentioned that this disappearance may be part of the Colonial Parkway murders. [1] During that time, three couples were murdered and one couple is missing and presumed to be dead. Cathy Thomas (left) andRebecca Ann Dowski were dating at the time of their murders. In 2010, the FBI arranged the first and, to date, only in-person meeting with all the families to discuss the status of the cases and field questions. Still, as crime writer David Lohr of the Huffington Post tells us, the stretch has seen its share of bloodshed in the shape of a suspected serial killer. . 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 described Robin as a firecracker personality, who got along with everyone she met. Calls Toyota Celica was later found on the parkway along with several articles of clothing and the car keys. "[15], On July 23, 2018. Their bodies have never been found, but both are presumed dead. She worked two jobs while studying, caring for toddlers at a daycare center and at the colleges English department as a clerk, Cassandra Hailey and Richard Keith Call, For more on the Colonial Parkway murders, watch Oxygens new limited series. Its still unclear what David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were doing together the night of their murders in 1987. They show how the Colonial Parkway Killer stalk 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays Hailey, meanwhile, was a college freshman who modeled and taught gymnastics, according to the outlet. Its difficult to imagine something as gruesome and shocking as a string of murders occurring on this seemingly safe road but thats exactly what happened decades ago. A small caveat before we spring forth into the latest horror room, the third couples link to the Parkway Murders is somewhat debatable. Phelps, who family members described to Lovers Lane Murders producers as having a very sharp wit, was dating Lauers younger brother, whom she lived with in Virginia Beach. Dowski was younger and still a student at the College of William and Mary. Daniel Plott, retired Virginia State Police, concurred. Market data provided by Factset. Sean Xu/Shutterstock From 1986 to 1989, a series of murders along Virginia's historic Colonial Parkway claimed the lives of eight people in their teens and twenties. The remains were too decomposed to reveal the manner of death. This is an ongoing criminal investigation, we are not in a position to discuss what evidence we are working with as part of the case, said Corrine Geller, public relations director for VSP. Call was a computer science major and an old soul in a way, his brother told Lovers Lane Murders.. The killer has never been caught.Oct. 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. This was the first time Thomas had spoken to any of the other victims family members, since his sisters death 20 years prior, but it would not be the last. S, eries co-host Maureen OConnell, a former FBI special agent, sees telltale signs to support this theory. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. 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 . [14], On June 25, 2018, editors at Listverse released a new article, "Ten Disturbing Facts About the Colonial Parkway Murders. For the families linked by the Colonial Parkway Murders, it means that DNA discovered at the crime scenes could, one day, solve the cases. IE 11 is not supported. Virginia's Colonial Parkway. [9], In 2013, the Colonial Parkway murders were profiled in the Investigation Discovery television series Dark Minds, with host and true crime author M. William Phelps. I see the killer evolving, she said, not just in his methods but in his motives.. "Some longtime law enforcement people have said to me that it was like the wild West out there at night because it was only patrolled every few hours," said Thomas. Virginia's Colonial Parkway, a dark and isolated lovers' lane, was the scene of four brutal double murders between 1986 and 1990, with a new young couple meeting their untimely death each year. The burden gets a little easier, but in such a small incremental way that you dont realize it at first, Thomas said. Wallets found open in the victims vehicles on the floor and on the dashboard respectively inthe first and third homicides add heft to the law enforcement theory, former FBI profiler Jim Clemente told Lovers Lane Murders. They could have been preparing to show their license or registration. Weve got amazing investigators working on our case. However, just before her death, she had left the Navy. Then, the little ideas turned into big ideas and that was the start of our connection.. Coombs and OConnell reviewed commonalities and dissimilarities in terms of location, treatment of bodies, method of murder, time and date, victims, motive, and crime scene. The odds of four double homicides in as many years are extremely rare, which is why the slayings are. Joyce Call-Canada is the older sister of Keith Call. Bill Thomas, a producer on Oxygen's 'Lovers' Lane Murders' is seen here with a portrait of his sister Cathy Thomas. "[18], On April 25, 2019, The New York Times published a story on the use of DNA in the Golden State Killer case, the Colonial Parkway murders and other unsolved homicides titled Sooner or Later, Your Cousin's DNA is Going to Solve a Murder. The human carnage six bodies were found, while two presumed-dead victims have never been recovered was collectively called the Colonial Parkway Murders. Cathy Thomas, 27, and Rebecca Dowski, 21, had been dating for several months when they went out for food on October 9, 1986. It was considered a double murder. For the families of the eight victims, it is yet another year spent searching for answers. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. All rights reserved. Im proud to know them. The FBI declined to comment on the status of DNA testing because the investigation is ongoing. David + Robin. Since October 1986, 10 On Your Side has covered what are now known as the "Colonial Parkway murders." There were four double homicides. The FBI is investigating the slayings of Thomas, Dowski, Call, and Hailey, as they were found dead or went missing on federal property. The Colonial Parkway is a twenty-three mile scenic roadway stretching from the York River at Yorktown to the James River at Jamestown. Phelps had been dating Lauer's brother at the time they went missing. Virginia State Police, who are handling the Knobling and Edwards and Phelps and Lauer cases, declined to comment if they had DNA in either of the cases. During that time, three couples were murdered and one couple is missing and presumed to be dead. Both their purses and their money were found inside the car, ruling out robbery as a motive. And remember, this was the 1980s. The second night airs Friday at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. They were never seen again after that night. Inside the Maddening Search for Virginia's Colonial Parkway Serial Killer COLD CASE Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Photos Courtesy Bill Thomas Four brutal double homicides near. Map to show the parkway (B) Is where I believe two bodies were found, . "She discovered after graduating from the Naval Academy that she was a lesbian. The FBI got involved, even asking Russia to view satellite footage of the area, but no one was ever arrested. A double homicide is a rare occurrence in and of itself, so four happening so close together has naturally caused many to wonder if a serial killer is behind this series or murders. In the case of the Golden State Killer, DeAngelo was identified through third cousins. Despite the fact that there have been no public updates on the case for nearly 11 years, some of the families have found renewed hope through genetic genealogy and a resurgence in public awareness. They had been strangled with their throats cut. However, her sister, Janette Santiago, told Lovers Lane Murders that Edwards, who she described as full of energy and not afraid of anything, had entered therapy and made remarkable progress in the months before her death. Laundry room crime scene. On any given day, Thomas can be found behind his desk in his Connecticut home sifting through archives, reaching out to law enforcement and answering calls and emails about his sisters case. Green jumper the killer wore. We feellike we could be just as close to start to solve these cases. "So people knew you could go there and basically be left alone, especially at night. Or could it be that four separate criminals were executing young people in the area? For Thomas, who has dedicated years of his life searching for answers, it is the hope that after three decades, his sisters cold case will be finally closed. He told Lovers Lane Murders that it suggests the driver was responding to authority. And in these 34 years, she would have done amazing things.". 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. Many who believe the homicides are connected think the killer presented himself as a police officer or park ranger, or someone with authority. It's a roadway and state route, partly manned by the National Park Service, that interlocks Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. "Colonial Parkway Murders" is a bit of a misnomer in that only 2 sets of the murders happened along the Colonial Parkway in Virginia, with . Now you flash forward and as painful as the passage of time can be, we now have truly advanced DNA testing available. [3][4][5], In 1996, the unsolved case of the Colonial Parkway murders was presented on national television on the program Real Stories of the Highway Patrol, a series that aired from 19931999. 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