", "We told her upfront and we express concern that going to the Naval Academy was going to be very tough," he continued. [6] Former WTKR investigative reporter Mike Mather found that much of the evidence, stored for over two decades, had yet to be tested for DNA and other trace evidence. He became a well-known whistleblower, and thanks to his action, the FBI was put under the proverbial microscope. "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. The FBI is investigating the slayings of Thomas, Dowski, Call, and Hailey, as they were found dead or went missing on federal property. So she decided that the Navy wasnt the right place for her. They were never found. At night its dark and isolated,making it an ideal spot for couples to be romantic discreetly. All of the victims were young, White, and were either a romantic couple or could resemble one to an outsider. 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. (File photos). Edwards had struggled with her mental health and was prone to running away and some reckless behavior. LA County Criminal Prosecutor Loni Coombs and former FBI Special Agent Maureen OConnell are seen here speaking with Bill Thomas. Thomas was nearly decapitated. Cathy had graduated from the U.S. 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. The four episodes were to feature former FBI profiler Jim Clemente, as well as investigators including former FBI Agent Maureen O'Connell and former prosecutor Loni Coombs, together with crime scene reconstruction expert Dr. Laura Pettler. Three days later, their bodies washed up onto the beach at Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge. Regardless, some of the remaining family members have formed a united front, choosing to work alongside each other to find answers, keeping in contact with each other on a regular basis. Paula is now Paula Meehan and Teri is now Teri Barzditis. 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. The Colonial Parkway Murders. The young woman had graduated from the U.S. Rebecca Dowski, top left, and Cathleen Thomas, bottom left, were killed Oct. 12, 1986. Did The Colonial Parkway Victims Know The Killer? They also eventually helped organize some of the families. Despite the moniker the Colonial Parkway Murders, the time frame and proximity of the deaths, law enforcement has never conclusively linked the cases, leaving many, including the family members, to believe that some or all of the cases are connected or none at all. Beckys wound isnt as deep as Cathys wound, Pettler added. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. *Going Inside an Ice Cavehttps://youtu.be/FHo1aXnMjdw1930's Baseball Stadium Abandoned in the Woods https://youtu.be/4Sy7NUlFGtYAbandoned LA ZOO https://youtu.be/jgepM4f9HI4 Border wall at an Abandoned Beach https://youtu.be/VtmKJw7J6lo The killer has never been caught. Part 1 and 2 of Oxygen's 'Lovers Lane Murders' airs Thursday night. Fred Atwell: Fred Atwell is the former deputy sheriff that was active during the investigation in 1986. They didnt use that expression much back then, but that was the idea. [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. or whoever approached them pretended to be a cop -- or was a cop, he said. 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. And. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. 19 talking about this. A couple, romantically involved, was found bound, gagged and their throats slit almost 200 miles from the initial hunting grounds. 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. He dropped Edwards off at her home, but later that night she snuck out to meet him. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Directions and Map (904) 525-8080. IE 11 is not supported. She described Robin as a firecracker personality, who got along with everyone she met. 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. (Bill Tiernan). Fun Fact: Tunnel was built in 1942 and is 1,190 feet long. Unlike OConnell, Coombs doesnt see the work of a serial killer. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Sept. 5, 1989: Annamaria Phelps, 18 and Daniel Lauer, 21, disappeared from an Interstate 64 rest stop in New Kent County. On September 20, 1987, David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were shot at point-blank range in the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge, near the south shore of James River in Smithfield, Virginia. Speaking Russian was very important because they were, at the time, probably our top adversary in the world.". A critical future was the way the perpetrator might have approached them. On April 10, 1988, Christopher Newport University students Cassandra Lee Hailey, 18, and Richard Keith Call, 20, were reported missing after attending a party in the University Square area in Newport News during their first date together. Thomas Hargrove, researcher, and archivist. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. The first two known victims were United States Naval Academy Class of 1981 graduate Cathleen Thomas, 27, and College of William & Mary senior Rebecca Ann Dowski, 21. It's difficult to imagine that a community could be infiltrated in that way, he emphasized. 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. She was fascinated by the circus and had dreams of running off with Ringling Brothers. 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. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. ", JONBENET RAMSEYS HALF BROTHER STILL WANTS TO FIND HER KILLER: THIS CASE CAN BE SOLVED, Part 1 and 2 of Oxygen's 'Lovers Lane Murders' airs Thursday night. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. From 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred either on or near the scenic, seemingly safe road. He and Cassandra Hailey vanished while on their first date in 1988. According to Moore, this new advancement has led to hundreds of arrests across the country. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. This unwholesome section is grisly and malignant Youve been warned. Six weeks later, hunters found their remains. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. From 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred either on or near the scenic, seemingly safe road. "It was difficult," Thomas admitted. After nearly three decades, the parents who are alive, many in declining health, are still without answers. The James River as seen from College Creek Beach on the Colonial Parkway. 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. They had been strangled with their throats cut. "Cathy was somebody that could more than hold her own in any situation," he said. The autopsy was inconclusive and could not determine whether a blade had slashed their throats or if they had been strangled to near decapitation. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. Explore! For the families of the eight victims, it is yet another year spent searching for answers. Map to show the parkway (B) Is where I believe two bodies were found, . 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. But she left with great regret because she had hoped to have the kind of career that my dad had.". Robin Edwards, top row and second to the left, and David Knobling, bottom row and second to the left, were murdered Sept. 23, 1987. At the time, she was also thinking about going to grad school and possibly studying international relations. Bill Thomas shudders at the thought to this day. While Phelps was stabbed, Lauers body was too decomposed to determinea manner of death. However, Thomas claimed new tips come in "every week or two," giving hope that these cold cases can be solved today. Each homicide occurred somewhere along the Colonial Parkway, hence the colloquial name. Will mock murderers with glee. None had been robbed or sexually molested, stumping investigators as to what the possible motive that galvanized the murders might have been. All rights reserved. After a deep dive into the four Colonial Parkway murders. "That tells me that either they were getting ready because they thought they were, pulled over by a police officer or park ranger. He explained it might be easier to wrap ones mind around one killer, not four or even more different ones. She enjoyed going to the Gap and dressing well, whatever the trend was. The former was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the latter a senior of Willam & Mary College. Since then, 62-year-old Fred had numerous encounters with the law, including a larceny charge; 100 dollars. He also helps manage a Facebook page, Colonial Parkway Murders, with 14,000 followers, which aims to build awareness of the four cases. "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. 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. The eeriest part,. They were never found. 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. Between 1986 and 1989, at least eight people were murdered near or along Virginias Colonial Parkway by an apparent serial killer. Joyce Call-Canada is the older sister of Keith Call. 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. The FBI declined to comment on the status of DNA testing because the investigation is ongoing. Still, he cant help but wonder what might have been. He believes itcame down to chance, he said. His investigation came to the startling conclusion that the murders were committed by multiple assailants and arent tied together. 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,. Several million travelers a year use this route . A small caveat before we spring forth into the latest horror room, the third couples link to the Parkway Murders is somewhat debatable. , including one couple whove never been found. 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. The sightseeing is prime. 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. Thomas said that over the years, there have been moments where he was frustrated with the investigation of his sisters murder. Multiple reports alleged Edwards had snuck out to meet Knobling before they were killed. And remember, this was the 1980s. 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. We feellike we could be just as close to start to solve these cases. In the late 1980s, the murders spanning three years brought eight families together through the shared grief, frustration and denial that only they could understand. William F. Thomas stands under an old oak tree at the Cheatham Annex pull off along the Colonial Parkway near Yorktown Tuesday afternoon, August 16,2016, holding a photo of his sister, Cathleen Thomas, a Naval Academy graduate who with Rebecca Dowski were the first of the murders along the Parkway that became known as the Colonial Parkway Murders. 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