There has to be a degree of self-sabotage from a serial killer for an investigation to pan out. Stephen. The Colonial Parkway Murders were a series of homicides that occurred between October 1986 and September 1989. ET on Oxygen. To his knowledge, the DNA still has not been tested. Fun Fact: Tunnel was built in 1942 and is 1,190 feet long. 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. He became a well-known whistleblower, and thanks to his action, the FBI was put under the proverbial microscope. The only thing found was Calls car on the parkway. Her son was only a year old when Robin died. The FBI got involved, even asking Russia to view satellite footage of the area, but no one was ever arrested. 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.". He and Cassandra Hailey vanished while on their first date in 1988. Explore! He explained it might be easier to wrap ones mind around one killer, not four or even more different ones. (Oxygen). They didnt use that expression much back then, but that was the idea. Because of the Colonial Parkways reputation, Thomas and Dowski could have been chosen at random. And its still certainly a possibility. They also eventually helped organize some of the families. "[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. Sept. 5, 1989: Annamaria Phelps, 18 and Daniel Lauer, 21, disappeared from an Interstate 64 rest stop in New Kent County. The Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile (37km) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links Virginia's Historic Triangle. [16], On October 26, 2018, Dateline NBC released "Dateline Crime Capsule: The Colonial Parkway Murders" which offered a look into the history of the case. 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. Located roughly halfway between Richmond and Virginia Beach, the Colonial Parkway spans approximately 22 miles in southeastern Virginia and is an incredibly beautiful drive during . DOOMSDAY MOM LORI VALLOW IS AN EVIL MONSTER WHO OBSESSED OVER END OF TIMES BEFORE CHILDREN'S DEATHS: DOC. The investigations into all eight murders are ongoing and active, the Virginian Pilot reported. At least one of the badly decomposed bodies appears to have suffered knife wounds. 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. Paula is now Paula Meehan and Teri is now Teri Barzditis. Lauer's car, a gold 1972 Chevrolet Nova, was soon found abandoned at the I-64 New Kent rest stop in New Kent County and it was discovered to have been heading in the wrong direction, away from their intended Virginia Beach destination. [14], On June 25, 2018, editors at Listverse released a new article, "Ten Disturbing Facts About the Colonial Parkway Murders. Actor Steve Altes portrayed the killer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_Accountability_Project, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Aamodt, https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/features/murder-woods-shenandoah-national-park/. It also happens to be ground zero for one of the nation's most brutal crime sprees, which remains clouded in doubt and tragedy more than three decades later 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. [1] During that time, three couples were murdered and one couple is missing and presumed to be dead. On September 20, 1987, Knoblings truck was found abandoned by the James River Bridge, Richmond.com reported. Despite the continued efforts and media frenzy the murders seem to compel, there is little to no traction on the investigation. 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. He may have been watching victims, the former profiler theorized, and when the opportunity arose he became a predator.. For two decades, the crime-scene pictures have been secret, critical evidence in the hunt for a serial murderer. "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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The double homicides took play over a four-year span . To the FBI, he was a suspect; to the victims family, he was a patsy. We dont need the reminder that these are cold cases.. For Teri and Paula Hailey, it is the hope that they and their parents will see justice. The brutal crimes claimed the lives of eight young people, including one couple who've never been found. Dogs traced their scents to the river, but soon lost it. Nonetheless, inconclusive MRI scans appear to show that at least one of the bodies might have suffered knife wounds. Both women were found with rope burns on their neck and wrist with signs of strangulation. They were never seen again after that night. 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. This time, their goal is to have DNA in the cases tested. Weve got amazing investigators working on our case. In a way, the fact that such murders and foul deeds took place in that spot was nothing short of sacrilegious and a scar on the Parkways patriotic nature and what it represents. She had everything going for her. The 22-mile-long stretch running between Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, Virginia, known as Colonial Parkway, is one such road. 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. Three days later, their bodies washed up onto the beach at Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge. But is it possible they are tragic, separate events? And, as if that bit of info wasnt hair-raising enough, another independent study conducted by Dr. Mike Aamodt at Radford University actually confirmed Hargroves data and concluded that he might have lowballed the number. Virginia's Colonial Parkway. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. 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. Series co-host Maureen OConnell, a former FBI special agent, sees telltale signs to support this theory. Thomas and her girlfriend Rebecca Dowski were both killed in an incident that many believe was the first killing in 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. Its still unclear what David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were doing together the night of their murders in 1987. ", NASHVILLE TV PRODUCER VERONICA BOZZAS MURDER EXPLORED IN TRUE CRIME DOC: THE WHOLE THING WAS SENSELESS, The James River as seen from College Creek Beach on the Colonial Parkway. Finally, the killers scope and the geographical stretch of his spree make it near impossible to set up a proliferation point from which to work from, a range to actively stake-out. The thoroughfare is partially maintained by the National Park Service because it's an iconic piece of pavement that connects some of the country's most historic cities. LA County Criminal Prosecutor Loni Coombs and former FBI Special Agent Maureen OConnell are seen here speaking with Bill Thomas. They are both presumed dead, and evidence points to the same madman or madwoman responsible for the other killings. "In those first classes at the service academies, they were subject to such levels of hatred and harassment. 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. Though two slayings took place on the actual parkway and two were in nearby areas, all four are tied together by the name, the Colonial Parkway Murders. [23] and "Was the Colonial Parkway Killer Pretending to be Law Enforcement? "Cathy was somebody that could more than hold her own in any situation," he said. 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. Unburieda true-crime blog with no illusions in the police, the privileged, or the powerful. Legal Statement. There is this allure of serial killers, said, Steve Spingola, former homicide detective and author of. It helps explain how the killer could take control of two people at once. She was fascinated by the circus and had dreams of running off with Ringling Brothers. Speaking Russian was very important because they were, at the time, probably our top adversary in the world.". Then, the little ideas turned into big ideas and that was the start of our connection.. Or could it be that four separate criminals were executing young people in the area? The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. or whoever approached them pretended to be a cop -- or was a cop, he said. 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? . 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. 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,. Ryan Noah Yawel Criminal Psychologist. In total, 4 pairs of people were targeted, resulting in eight murders and six bodies found. The killer has never been caught. 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. Theory: A Serial Killer Stalked The Parkway, 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. April 10, 1988: Keith Call, 20, and Cassandra Hailey, 18, went missing after a college party. 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