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. They didnt use that expression much back then, but that was the idea. The killer could have been lying in wait specifically for them. But youre always reminded, in little ways, who is here and who is not., Em Holter, emily.holter@virginiamedia.com, 757-256-6657, @EmHolterNews, Abigail Adcox, abigail.adcox@virginiamedia.com, 757-264-8149, @abigailadcox. On September 20, 1987, Knoblings truck was found abandoned by the James River Bridge, Richmond.com reported. The brutal crimes claimed the lives of eight young people, including one couple whove never been found. All rights reserved. However, Thomas claimed new tips come in "every week or two," giving hope that these cold cases can be solved today. 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. He explained it might be easier to wrap ones mind around one killer, not four or even more different ones. Phelps had been dating Lauer's brother at the time they went missing. 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.. Four cases link families, scenic parkway; Dateline NBC Crime Capsule "The Killer Could Still be out There": 30 years later, still no answers in the Colonial Parkway Murders; Investigation Discovery Crimefeed; Family: New DNA testing could crack Colonial Parkway Murders; Virginia Pilot - 3 part series Part 1 - Agent stalks dark path of . 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. 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, Robin Edwards and Knoblings bodies were discovered in the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge in Isle of Wight County, shot to death. 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. 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. 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. She had a soft side but there was a toughness, too, her brother, Bill Thomas, told the producers of Lovers Lane Murders.. 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. David + Robin. After nearly three decades, the parents who are alive, many in declining health, are still without answers. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! After a deep dive into the four Colonial Parkway murders, 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. This section is going to be macabre, scatological, and disturbing. Thomas described the Colonial Parkway as a popular spot to travel along the river. Just like those 1400 unsolved murders, Hargrove conducted his studies on, theres a huge likelihood that the Colonial Parkway Murders will remain a cold case and that the devil behind it will never be brought to justice just like Jack The Ripper Just like the Zodiac Killer Just like the Alphabet Killer The Barnaul Maniac Charlie Chop-off and the 85 other serial killers. Advocate. THE COLONIAL PARKWAY MURDERS: A STEP BY STEP REPORT. To truly understand what happened, we need to embrace and dissect some of the more vivid, abhorrent, and gruesome aspects of the case. 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. After leaving the armed forces, she had transitioned into a successful career as a stockbroker, according to Richmond.com. Mainly because no bodies have ever been uncovered. So, who were the Colonial Parkway murder victims? The bodies of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski were found near this location in October of 1986. "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. "He was always washing it, his sister, Joyce Call-Canada, told The Virginian Pilot. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Then, the little ideas turned into big ideas and that was the start of our connection.. (Photo by Scott Neville/ For The Washington Post via Getty Images). Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. It's difficult to imagine something as gruesome and shocking as a string of murders occurring on this seemingly safe road but that's exactly what happened decades ago. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. Green jumper the killer wore. And. Dogs traced their scents to the river, but soon lost it. Six weeks later, hunters found their remains. "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 . 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. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. The outlet noted that there were no clear signs of robbery or rape for any of these cases. The former was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the latter a senior of Willam & Mary College. 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. (Bill Tiernan). It was known, not only by the homosexual community, but by the haters of the homosexual community, he said. They were never found. Seven years after the final fatalities, another case reignited the investigation. 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 killer has never been caught. The young woman had graduated from the U.S. "But she was undaunted. 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. All of the victims were young, White, and were either a romantic couple or could resemble one to an outsider. ", "We told her upfront and we express concern that going to the Naval Academy was going to be very tough," he continued. Fun Fact: Tunnel was built in 1942 and is 1,190 feet long. [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? The Colonial Parkway. Months later, they were found murdered, wrapped in a blanket in the woods. Then people are more likely to care, finished Teri Hailey. Here are prominent theories that have been put forth over the years. Theres always hope that you might find more DNA, finding smaller amounts, with more advanced techniques of detecting DNA, said Moore. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. She had everything going for her. 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. Thomas Hargrove, researcher, and archivist. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. 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. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Thomass throat had been slit so savagely ear-to-ear that she was almost decapitated. Call was a computer science major and an old soul in a way, his brother told Lovers Lane Murders.. Remember, this was over 30 years ago in Virginia, which is a very conservative, military area. His investigation came to the startling conclusion that the murders were committed by multiple assailants and arent tied together. Bill Thomas shudders at the thought to this day. There is this allure of serial killers, said, Steve Spingola, former homicide detective and author of. The burden gets a little easier, but in such a small incremental way that you dont realize it at first, Thomas said. The pair went on a date, seeing a movie and attending a party, on April 9, 1988. We feellike we could be just as close to start to solve these cases. Author of Unburied: True Crime Shorts https://www.amazon.com/Unburied-Crime-Shorts-Quinn-Zane-ebook/dp/B0BK5BGSYY, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60693940, https://www.amazon.com/Unburied-Crime-Shorts-Quinn-Zane-ebook/dp/B0BK5BGSYY. helps manage a Facebook page, Colonial Parkway Murders, with 14,000 followers, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. [Thomas] could hold their own from day one. As of 2017, our research estimates that over 2000 serial killers are still at large and active in the United States. The understanding, years later, that his parents had to make three separate phone calls to him and his two brothers; one, in New York at the time, took an entire day to reach. However, these victims were known to frequent the area on Thursday nights. Now you flash forward and as painful as the passage of time can be, we now have truly advanced DNA testing available. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. Santiago said she had previously been told by Virginia State Police that there was DNA evidence in her sisters case and the possibility of conducting more advanced testing on it, but has not heard anything since, as communication has varied over time as the case is handed down to new people. But is it possible they are tragic, separate events? Cathy Thomas would drive up from Virginia Beach to visit her girlfriend, Becky Dowski, at the College of William and Mary on Thursday nights. Thomas said the families were devastated by the sudden, brutal deaths. 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. Rebecca Dowski, top left, and Cathleen Thomas, bottom left, were killed Oct. 12, 1986. Why are they still a hot button topic? Calls beloved Toyota Celica was discovered at a York River overlook, just a few miles from where Thomas and Dowski had been murdered two years prior. To his knowledge, the DNA still has not been tested. 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/. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. So as long as theres something left to analyze, theres always hope that it will be solved through genetic genealogy.. They also eventually helped organize some of the families. April 10, 1988: Keith Call, 20, and Cassandra Hailey, 18, went missing after a college party. 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. The FBI declined to comment on the status of DNA testing because the investigation is ongoing. 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. The series was published again by the paper in 2010. . ", EMILIE MORRIS, THE FORMER STUDENT WHO DIED AFTER ACCUSING HER COACH OF ABUSE, BECOMES FOCUS OF TRUE-CRIME DOC. The scavengers, the muggy atmosphere, and the advanced decomposition made it impossible to determine the exact cause of death. The only thing found was Calls car on the parkway. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. Dowski was younger and still a student at the College of William and Mary. 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. LA County Criminal Prosecutor Loni Coombs and former FBI Special Agent Maureen OConnell are seen here speaking with Bill Thomas. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. (File photos). 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. There were little signs of struggle. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He told Lovers Lane Murders that there may be links between the first and third murders, which are firmly tied to the Colonial Parkway. 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. 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