On October 19th, a month and a half after their disappearance, hunters along interstate 64 between Williamsburg and Richmond stumbled onto the skeletonized remains of both kids. Directions and Map (904) 525-8080. They had been strangled with their throats cut. 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. She was brilliant, beautiful and well-educated, but she was also thoughtful, modest and a deep thinker. Paula and Teri Hailey, Cassandra Haileys sisters, have written letters over the years to the FBI pleading for answers. "[24], On February 9, 2021, Access Hollywood presented a television series about the Colonial Parkway murders. The Colonial Parkway Murders A Tale of Two Killers? To truly understand what happened, we need to embrace and dissect some of the more vivid, abhorrent, and gruesome aspects of the case. Lauers Chevrolet Nova was found on the westbound exit ramp, keys in the ignition, the next day. Keith Call, top row and third to the left, and Cassandra Hailey disappeared April 10, 1988. All of the victims were young, white, and either a romantic couple or could resemble one to an outsider. The Parkway murders are believed to be the act of an apparent serial killer. To his knowledge, the DNA still has not been tested. Fred was always vocal about the case to the point that he had strong opinions on who the killer was. All of these factors are critical to understanding the mystique that the murders still hold over the national narrative. Soon, other victims family members followed with Thomas leading the charge, providing interviews to the media and speaking out about their frustration with the lack of progress on the case. Bill Thomas, a producer on Oxygen's 'Lovers' Lane Murders' is seen here with a portrait of his sister Cathy Thomas. 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 . The Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile (37km) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links Virginias Historic Triangle. "[15], On July 23, 2018. The keys were still in the ignition, the door was open, and the windshield wipers were going. Thomas Hargrove, researcher, and archivist. We understand that were not going to be at the front of the line, but to hear that evidence hasnt been tested in over a year is unacceptable, Thomas said. 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. . 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? 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. Why? 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. "[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. 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. Thomas said Cathy was "very upbeat and excited." In 2018, 12 years after the Shenandoah murders, DNA studies including hair and biological samples potentially linked the two cases. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! A typically tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be the setting for a gruesome string of murders. All rights reserved. David's injuries. 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. There were little signs of struggle. Why are they still a hot button topic? 26, 2018. Their bodies were so decomposed, investigators were unable to determine a cause of death. Beckys wound isnt as deep as Cathys wound, Pettler added. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. 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. And as of today, all of the murders remain unsolved. In September 2009, it was discovered by CBS News affiliate WTKR that nearly 80 highly graphic crime scene photographs of Colonial Parkway murders victims were used to instruct a class by a retired and now deceased former FBI photographer. Three days later, their bodies washed up onto the beach at Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge. ET on Oxygen. It was the first of several gruesome murders. The Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile (37km) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links Virginia's Historic Triangle. The women were bound with rope and strangled. who has spent more than 20 years looking into the murders. We feellike we could be just as close to start to solve these cases. At the time, she was also thinking about going to grad school and possibly studying international relations. Emily discusses a slew of disappearances and double murders within a four-year period along the Colonial Parkway in Virginia in the late 80's. . "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. Within the last five years, he has turned over dozens of tips. [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. Its still unclear what David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were doing together the night of their murders in 1987. Here are prominent theories that have been put forth over the years. He told Lovers Lane Murders that there may be links between the first and third murders, which are firmly tied to the Colonial Parkway. Both women were fully clothed and there was no evidence of robbery or sexual assault. The sightseeing is prime. 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. WTVR News 6 in Richmond reported that there was additional DNA evidence available for testing in the Colonial Parkway murders. 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. A critical future was the way the perpetrator might have approached them. Though both are presumed dead, their bodies have never been found. "He was always washing it, his sister, Joyce Call-Canada, told The Virginian Pilot. The killer has never been caught.Oct. 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. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. The Colonial Parkway Murders were a series of homicides that occurred between October 1986 and September 1989. Was The Colonial Parkway Killer Pretending To Be Law Enforcement? A more micro look reveals that victims werent all killed in the same way. [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. For the families linked by the Colonial Parkway Murders, it means that DNA discovered at the crime scenes could, one day, solve the cases. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. IE 11 is not supported. He and Cassandra Hailey vanished while on their first date in 1988. 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. 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. The bodies of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski were found near this location in October of 1986. [citation needed]. Sandy was unique. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. [26], In June 2010, the victims' families requested the assistance of a retired Milwaukee Police Department homicide detective Steve Spingola. As this field continues to advance, Moore said agencies could be waiting to test for better results. 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. They are both presumed dead, and evidence points to the same madman or madwoman responsible for the other killings. He also helps manage a Facebook page, Colonial Parkway Murders, with 14,000 followers, which aims to build awareness of the four cases. We dont need the reminder that these are cold cases.. 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. Fun Fact: Tunnel was built in 1942 and is 1,190 feet long. To the FBI, he was a suspect; to the victims family, he was a patsy. 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. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. It is a pageantry of American history embroiled in dozens of tunnels and bridges that are incredibly charming and visually impacting. "In those first classes at the service academies, they were subject to such levels of hatred and harassment. 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. While Phelps was stabbed, Lauers body was too decomposed to determinea manner of death. I see the killer evolving, she said, not just in his methods but in his motives.. 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 The FBI is investigating the slayings of Thomas, Dowski, Call, and Hailey, as they were found dead or went missing on federal property. "But she was undaunted. They didnt use that expression much back then, but that was the idea. The Colonial Parkway is a scenic, 23-mile stretch in Virginia that links the historic towns of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Becky was collateral damage.. 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. Six weeks later, hunters found their remains. The series was published again by the paper in 2010. The killer could have been lying in wait specifically for them. 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. The hunters discovered the bodies on a logging road about a quarter-of-a-mile from Courthouse Road, a location about a mile from the I-64 New Kent rest stop where Lauer's car was found. The only evidence of any wrongdoing was the discovery of Calls red Toyota Celica, unoccupied at the York River Overlook. With portions built between 1930 and 1957, it links the three communities via a roadway . 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. However, Thomas claimed new tips come in "every week or two," giving hope that these cold cases can be solved today. For the families of the eight victims, it is yet another year spent searching for answers. But is it possible they are tragic, separate events? A small caveat before we spring forth into the latest horror room, the third couples link to the Parkway Murders is somewhat debatable. Fred was considered something of a hero when he uncovered a slew of photographs leaked from the FBIs office in Norfolk. The second night airs Friday at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. These killings, known as the Colonial Parkway murders, remain unsolved. Several million travelers a year use this route . The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. Part 1 and 2 of Oxygen's 'Lovers Lane Murders' airs Thursday night. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. Cathys throat was slit so deepthat she was nearly decapitated. Backtrack and take a look at the whole gruesome spectacle There were either multiple killers or the singular lone wolf was rather adept and elastic, forever changing and molding his M.O. Over the years things have changed, you know, my dad died and my mom mentally cant handle the stress of dealing with the case.. Just three days later, they were found murdered inside Thomas 1980 Honda Civic. Will mock murderers with glee. [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? Still, he cant help but wonder what might have been. [Thomas] could hold their own from day one. Still, some investigators are on the fence and dont want to definitively classify their disappearance as part of the serial killers cycle. The theory the first murder was a targeted hate crime adds heft to the notion the murders wereunconnected events. 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. 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. They were never found. She was one of several family members to pursue the Navy. A couple, romantically involved, was found bound, gagged and their throats slit almost 200 miles from the initial hunting grounds. According to Moore, this new advancement has led to hundreds of arrests across the country. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Joyce Call-Canada, Richard Calls sister, hyphenates her last name so that people recognize it while one of her brothers still keeps their familys home phone number. 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. 8:00 a.m . Despite her drive and determination, Cathy left the Navy just before her death. The brutal crimes claimed the lives of eight young people, including one couple whove never been found. They all died at night. She was determined She was also a Russian scholar. 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. "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 told Lovers Lane Murders that it suggests the driver was responding to authority. 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. Im sorry we met as a part of this club that no one wants to be invited to join, but they are wonderful, thoughtful people on their own and have done great things to keep their family members memories alive, Thomas said. On September 5, 1989, their car was found abandoned at an I-64 rest stop strangely, the rest stop was on the opposite route of their way back to Virginia Beach. Her brother, better known to his friends and family as Keith, had aspirations of becoming a computer programmer and spent his free time toying with his new at-home computer. She had everything going for her. All the victims were killed with different methods (stabbing, strangulation, gunshot wound). 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. Joyce Call-Canada is the older sister of Keith Call. Multiple reports alleged Edwards had snuck out to meet Knobling before they were killed. Call's red 1982 Toyota Celica was found, unoccupied, at the York River Overlook on the Colonial Parkway the next day with some articles of clothing inside. Dogs traced their scents to the river, but soon lost it. This time, their goal is to have DNA in the cases tested. She described Robin as a firecracker personality, who got along with everyone she met. Annamarie Phelps, top right, and Daniel Lauer, bottom right, disappeared Sept. 5, 1989. "Cathy was somebody that could more than hold her own in any situation," he said. Julia Williams, 24, and Lollie Winans, 26, displayed a wealth of similarities to the Parkway case. Entertainment Television presented a full-length documentary, THS Investigates Serial Killers on the Loose, which features a segment on the Colonial Parkway murders. In 1991, the Virginian Pilot ran a three-part series on the Colonial Parkway murders by reporter Greg Schneider, who was permitted special access to FBI lead investigator Robert Meadows. His investigation came to the startling conclusion that the murders were committed by multiple assailants and arent tied together. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! 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. From 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred either on or near the scenic, seemingly safe road. And its still certainly a possibility. This question of serial killer or coincidence is explored in Oxygens new limited series. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! He may have been watching victims, the former profiler theorized, and when the opportunity arose he became a predator.. Did The Colonial Parkway Victims Know The Killer? The murders associated with the series span from the area around the Colonial Parkway around Williamsburg, to New Kent . 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