[19], On July 30, 2019, The Washington Post ran a story on the search for answers in the Colonial Parkway murders and other cases titled Victims, Families and America's Thirst for True-Crime Stories [20], On September 17, 2020, the publication Forensic Genomics published an article by family member Bill Thomas covering the Colonial Parkway murders entitled "The Family Perspective. Virginia's Colonial Parkway runs a relatively short 23 miles, from Jamestown to Yorkstown, passing through Williamsburg and thereby connecting all of Virginia's famous "Historic Triangle." Part of the Colonial National Historic Park, the scenic route is designed with sightseeing in mind. Were reverse engineering the family tree of this unknown person, and eventually their identity through the family tree with who they share DNA with one or two genealogy databases that we have access to, said Moore. "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 . 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. For two decades, the crime-scene pictures have been secret, critical evidence in the hunt for a serial murderer. They also eventually helped organize some of the families. Shes remained in Gloucester most of her life, just in case. He and Cassandra Hailey vanished while on their first date in 1988. An autopsy found rope burns on their necks and wrists, signs of strangulation, their throats had been slashed, and diesel fuel was poured over the bodies and the car but the car failed to ignite. It's difficult to imagine that a community could be infiltrated in that way, he emphasized. 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. 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. Get extra footage on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/mobileinstinctMy T-Shirts \u0026 Sweatshirts available here - https://shop.spreadshirt.com/mobileinstinct/ If you want to buy me a beer - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mobileinstinctAll of my videos are organized by state on my website https://www.TheMobileInstinct.com More videos on My Second Channel - https://www.youtube.com/mobileinstinct2INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/mobileinstinct New FACEBOOK page - Lets be friends - https://www.facebook.com/mobileinstinct*CHECK OUT these cool videos! So she decided that the Navy wasnt the right place for her. They had both been shot in the head, execution-style. Dowski was younger and still a student at the College of William and Mary. Since October 1986, 10 On Your Side has covered what are now known as the "Colonial Parkway murders." There were four double homicides. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! In the late 1980s, one possible serial killer in Virginia claimed at least eight lives along a certain stretch of road connecting the two historically important cities of Jamestown and Yorktown. What the investigators uncovered was a horrid tableau of deprivation. You cant exactly finger a suspect and develop a viable culprit on car displacement and fascination with couples. While Phelps was stabbed, Lauers body was too decomposed to determinea manner of death. Hes made it a point to make himself available to the public, in case the right tip comes in. The series was published again by the paper in 2010. This question of serial killer or coincidence is explored in Oxygens new limited series. It features LA County Criminal Prosecutor Loni Coombs and former FBI Special Agent Maureen OConnell whoconductedinterviews with law enforcement and families, as well as tracked down new leads. At night its dark and isolated,making it an ideal spot for couples to be romantic discreetly. Did The Colonial Parkway Victims Know The Killer? Thomas said Cathy was "very upbeat and excited." Six weeks later their bodies were found by hunters. Investigators have spent decades puzzling out the Colonial Parkway murders. WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) The FBI and Virginia State Police have uncovered DNA from three of the four crimes scenes of the 1986 Colonial Parkway Murders that may belong to a perpetrator,. Here are prominent theories that have been put forth over the years. ", "Was The Colonial Parkway Killer Pretending To Be Law Enforcement? (ill Tiernan). 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. Easily add multiple stops, see live traffic and road conditions. Building awareness of the Colonial Parkway Murders, in which 8 young people were killed in series of unsolved crimes in and around the. Stephen. This year she would have turned 48. 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. 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. He told Lovers Lane Murders that there may be links between the first and third murders, which are firmly tied to the Colonial Parkway. She described Robin as a firecracker personality, who got along with everyone she met. The brutal crimes claimed the lives of eight young people, including one couple who've never been found. In September 1987, a truck belonging to David Knobling, 20, was found abandoned by the James River Bridge. In Spingolas eyes, there was no serial killer. Then, the little ideas turned into big ideas and that was the start of our connection.. Several clothing items were found in the vehicle, as were the car keys. She had everything going for her. Their families were devastated and shocked. A more micro look reveals that victims werent all killed in the same way. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! In October 1986, the bodies of Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski were discovered inside the 1980 Honda Civic that belonged to Thomass sibling. Stephen's bedroom crime scene. , including one couple whove never been found. 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. [27] In 2010, Spingola published Predators on the Parkway, a 29-page magazine article that detailed his findings.[28]. 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. Thomass throat had been slit so savagely ear-to-ear that she was almost decapitated. Robin Edwards, top row and second to the left, and David Knobling, bottom row and second to the left, were murdered Sept. 23, 1987. The remains were too decomposed to reveal the manner of death. 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. Green jumper the killer wore. Cathy Thomas (left) andRebecca Ann Dowski were dating at the time of their murders. S, eries co-host Maureen OConnell, a former FBI special agent, sees telltale signs to support this theory. The analyzed DNA can then pinpoint the exact relation between those tested, allowing law enforcement agencies to narrow down their suspect pool and make an arrest. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. Im proud to know them. 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. Just after Labor Day weekend 1989, Annamaria Phelps, 18, and Daniel Later, 21, vanished while en route to Virginia Beach. 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. At least one of the badly decomposed bodies appears to have suffered knife wounds. This unwholesome section is grisly and malignant Youve been warned. My gut tells me that these cases are not connected, she said. Each had been shot in the head. On October 19, 1989, the skeletonized bodies of Phelps and Lauer were found in a wooded area by hunters along Interstate 64 between Williamsburg and Richmond. "She had martial arts training from the Naval Academy and she was incredibly athletic. On October 12, 1986, Columbus Day weekend, their bodies were found inside Thomas's white 1980 Honda Civic at the Cheatham Annex Overlook along the Colonial Parkway in Williamsburg, Virginia. For the families of the eight victims, it is yet another year spent searching for answers. "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. The Colonial Parkway Murders A Tale of Two Killers? For over three years beginning in the fall of 1986, a 23-mile stretch of road in Virginia that connects Jamestown to Yorktown became the eerie epicenter of a string of grisly double homicides. She was actually the most improved Russian speaker at the Naval Academy. The odds of four double homicides in as many years are extremely rare, which is why the slayings are. 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. This month marks the 35th anniversary of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowskis murder, the first homicides in what would later be called the Colonial Parkway Murders, which resulted in the deaths of three couples and the disappearance of another. There were little signs of struggle. He explained it might be easier to wrap ones mind around one killer, not four or even more different ones. However, Cathy moved on and pursued a thriving career as a stockbroker. The FBI, working in unison with the regions law enforcement, had a victim criteria in their arsenal. And as of today, all of the murders remain unsolved. That kind of opens up the window for somebody else to come along and pick on them.. Six weeks later, hunters found their remains. There has to be a degree of self-sabotage from a serial killer for an investigation to pan out. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. A critical future was the way the perpetrator might have approached them. 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. Cassandra Hailey, left, with her sisters Paula Hailey, center, and Teri Hailey, right in December 1986. 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. And it pains me to think that 34 years have gone by now. 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 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred either on or near the scenic, seemingly safe road. These killings, known as the Colonial Parkway murders, remain unsolved. David's injuries. Williams and Winans were also a hate crime, no doubt perpetrated by the same killer. Between 1986 and 1989, three young couples were found brutally murdered while one couple is still missing and presumed dead, on or near the Colonial Parkway, a roadway that connects Jamestown,. Throughout the years, it was usually the victims parents who spearheaded efforts to find justice, renew interest and pressure law enforcement to pursue their cases. On April 10, 1988, two kids from Christopher Newport University both perfect in-synched with the killers victim profile were reported missing after attending a party in Newport News during their first date together. Karl Knoblings theory behind the murder of his son David and Robin Edwards in 1987 doesnt have sinister overtones -- and its all the more chilling because of that. 10 The First Murders Photo credit: Wild Blue Press The place is a sightseeing extravaganza brimming with historical points, scenic pull-offs, markers, and memorials. Multiple reports alleged Edwards had snuck out to meet Knobling before they were killed. The second night airs Friday at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Annamarie Phelps, top right, and Daniel Lauer, bottom right, disappeared Sept. 5, 1989. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. Fred Atwell: Fred Atwell is the former deputy sheriff that was active during the investigation in 1986. "I look around now and there are all of these amazing women in the United States and around the world doing incredible things," said Thomas. Daniel Plott, retired Virginia State Police, concurred. "I hope people will understand that the loss that weve suffered has not prevented us as families from continuing to focus on seeing some degree of justice done," Thomas, who serves as one of the shows producers, told Fox News. They were never found. Nonetheless, to me, this is the work of a serial killer, said OConnell, who views variances among the dual homicides as an eerie sort of shapeshifting. In the 1980s, the Colonial Parkway was known as a gay lovers lane, according to Spingola. Now, it is up to the victims siblings to carry the torch. Cassandra Hailey, who was a talented gymnast and spent her time helping others in the sport, would have been 51 this year. "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. [30], Last edited on 16 September 2022, at 11:09, Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of fugitives from justice who disappeared, List of serial killers in the United States, "Colonial Parkway Murders Remain Unsolved", "Fred Atwell, Controversial Figure In Colonial Parkway Murders, Arrested In Georgia", "Part 1 | Agent stalks dark path of serial killer", "Part 2 | Serial Killer's Trademark: Colonial Parkway Murders", "Part 3 | Scores of suspects but no serial killer", "Sensitive FBI photos from Colonial Parkway murders leaked to the public", "FBI takes new approach in hunt for Colonial Parkway killer", "A cold case heats up: The Colonial Parkway murders", "The Colonial Parkway Murders | Dark Minds", "After 30 years, relatives of victims in Parkway Murders hope for break in cases", "Colonial Parkway Murders: Help Find a Killer", "10 Disturbing Facts About The Colonial Parkway Murders", "Authorities have 'potential perpetrator DNA' in Colonial Parkway murders, family says", "Dateline Crime Capsule: The Colonial Parkway Murders", "Former deputy's death leaves Parkway victims' families wondering what he knew", "Sooner or Later Your Cousin's DNA Is Going to Solve a Murder", "Victims, Families and America's Thirst for True-Crime Stories", "Lovers' Lane Murders Sets Out to Solve the Infamous Colonial Parkway Murders", "Why Would Law Enforcement Not Release All Records On A Case Like The Colonial Parkway Murders? So, who were the Colonial Parkway murder victims? The only thing found was Calls car on the parkway. All of the slayings, known as "The Colonial Parkway Murders," are stillunsolved. 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. Steve Spingola, former Milwaukee homicide detective, investigated the murders on behalf of the families. Oct. 12, 1986: The bodies of Cathleen Thomas, 27 and Rebecca Dowski, 21, were found at a pull-off on the parkway in Thomas Honda Civic, which had been pushed over an embankment. Hailey, 19, and Call, 20, were both students at Christopher Newport University. Cathy Thomas would drive up from Virginia Beach to visit her girlfriend, Becky Dowski, at the College of William and Mary on Thursday nights. [1] During that time, three couples were murdered and one couple is missing and presumed to be dead. 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 between 1986 and 1989. The note, which was undated and purportedly written by Phelps, indicated that she was to meet someone in a blue van at a rest stop. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. All rights reserved. His investigation came to the startling conclusion that the murders were committed by multiple assailants and arent tied together. All of the victims were young, White, and were either a romantic couple or could resemble one to an outsider. I see the killer evolving, she said, not just in his methods but in his motives.. The investigations into all eight murders are ongoing and active, the Virginian Pilot reported. She was one of several family members to pursue the Navy. All rights reserved. Knobling lived in Hampton while he worked for his fathers landscaping business, and was expecting a baby with his longtime girlfriend. [17], On December 22, 2018, veteran reporter Mike Holtzclaw wrote an article for the Daily Press marking Colonial Parkway murders whistleblower Fred Atwell's passing titled: "Former Deputy's Death Leaves Parkway Victim's Families Wondering What He Knew. 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. 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. Murders all occurred, she said, within a 30-mile radius and all on a weekend or holiday.. He became a well-known whistleblower, and thanks to his action, the FBI was put under the proverbial microscope. 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. She enjoyed going to the Gap and dressing well, whatever the trend was. Seven years after the final fatalities, another case reignited the investigation. However, Cathy was unafraid to try things that no one else had done before. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Edwards had struggled with her mental health and was prone to running away and some reckless behavior. (Oxygen). After leaving the armed forces, she had transitioned into a successful career as a stockbroker, according to Richmond.com. GARY HEIDNIKS ATTORNEY TALKS INSANE HOUSE OF HORRORS KILLER IN DOC: THERE WAS A METHOD TO HIS MADNESS', Cathy Thomas (left) andRebecca Ann Dowski were dating at the time of their murders. It helps explain how the killer could take control of two people at once. All of the victims were young, white, and either a romantic couple or could resemble one to an outsider. "In those first classes at the service academies, they were subject to such levels of hatred and harassment. Thomas and her girlfriend Rebecca Dowski were both killed in an incident that many believe was the first killing in the Colonial Parkway Murders. Fully researched, completely skeptical, unreservedly on the side of the victims. Though both are presumed dead, their bodies have never been found. Three days later, the two bodies were discovered by Knobling's father and a search party along the water's edge of the James River. The outlet noted that there were no clear signs of robbery or rape for any of these cases. 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