The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. 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. In Spingolas eyes, there was no serial killer. Unburieda true-crime blog with no illusions in the police, the privileged, or the powerful. . Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. So as long as theres something left to analyze, theres always hope that it will be solved through genetic genealogy.. Im proud to know them. Thomas was nearly decapitated. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. The sun begins to set Tuesday evening September 27, 2016 near an overlook along the Colonial Parkway. "She discovered after graduating from the Naval Academy that she was a lesbian. The odds of four double homicides in as many years are extremely rare, which is why the slayings are often attributed to a serial killer. The second night airs Friday at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. 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. "Yes, this is a tragedy, but hope never dies," he shares. "[15], On July 23, 2018. Most crime scenes were near the water. [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? You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The FBI got involved, even asking Russia to view satellite footage of the area, but no one was ever arrested. Keith Call, top row and third to the left, and Cassandra Hailey disappeared April 10, 1988. It's a roadway and state route, partly manned by the National Park Service, that interlocks Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Robin Edwards, top row and second to the left, and David Knobling, bottom row and second to the left, were murdered Sept. 23, 1987. Still, he cant help but wonder what might have been. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. Shes remained in Gloucester most of her life, just in case. Just after Labor Day weekend 1989, Annamaria Phelps, 18, and Daniel Later, 21, vanished while en route to Virginia Beach. My gut tells me that these cases are not connected, she said. Fun Fact: Tunnel was built in 1942 and is 1,190 feet long. Remember, this was over 30 years ago in Virginia, which is a very conservative, military area. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. All of the victims were young, white, and either a romantic couple or could resemble one to an outsider. Within the past three and a half years, genetic genealogy has been responsible for solving approximately 350 cases. She described Robin as a firecracker personality, who got along with everyone she met. All rights reserved. "And it saddens me that Cathy Thomas would have been one of those women. However, on their way back to Virginia Beach to start a new chapter in their lives, they vanished. However, Thomas claimed new tips come in "every week or two," giving hope that these cold cases can be solved today. Still, some investigators are on the fence and dont want to definitively classify their disappearance as part of the serial killers cycle. Call was a computer science major and an old soul in a way, his brother told Lovers Lane Murders.. He said extremely graphic crime scene photos were leaked to the public, fueling the familys anguish. Now you flash forward and as painful as the passage of time can be, we now have truly advanced DNA testing available. Sandy was unique. For Call-Canada, it is the thing that keeps her going: hope that her brothers remains will be discovered and laid to rest. The Colonial Parkway Murders families have been told by law enforcement (FBI and Virginia State Police) that they may have perpetrator DNA in 3 of the 4 crime scenes in the unsolved Colonial Parkway Murders. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. This section is going to be macabre, scatological, and disturbing. 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. I see the killer evolving, she said, not just in his methods but in his motives., Theory: A Serial Killer Was (Or Posed As) Law Enforcement, Stoking this belief is the fact that victims car windows were found rolled down at crime scenes, according to. , including one couple whove never been found. Roadway Killers Are Still Active In United States Today, How Behavioral Profiling Works To Catch Killers. She was actually the most improved Russian speaker at the Naval Academy. "Cathy was somebody that could more than hold her own in any situation," he said. ", 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. He believes itcame down to chance, he said. A typically tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be the setting for a gruesome string of murders. 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. Virginia's beautiful Colonial Parkway has a dark history of unsolved murders and disappearances. Colonial Parkway is a 23-mile (37 km) scenic parkway linking the three points of Virginia's Historic Triangle, Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown.It is part of the National Park Service's Colonial National Historical Park.Virginia's official state classification for the parkway is State Route 90003. According to the FBI, there are about 1400 murders that remain unsolved.. Just three days later, they were found murdered inside Thomas 1980 Honda Civic. Four double homicides occurred on or near the Colonial Parkway in Virginia during the 1980s. From 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred on or near the Colonial Parkway. 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. He and Cassandra Hailey vanished while on their first date in 1988. He may have been watching victims, the former profiler theorized, and when the opportunity arose he became a predator.. They could be related, he said, adding that he doesnt see links among all four. A year later in September 1989, the outlet reported Annamarie Phelps, 18, and Daniel Lauer, 21, vanishedfrom a rest stop in New Kent County. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He told Lovers Lane Murders that it suggests the driver was responding to authority. Joyce Call-Canada is the older sister of Keith Call. 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. [14], On June 25, 2018, editors at Listverse released a new article, "Ten Disturbing Facts About the Colonial Parkway Murders. While Phelps was stabbed, Lauers body was too decomposed to determinea manner of death. That kind of opens up the window for somebody else to come along and pick on them., Theory: A Moral Enforcer Became A Deadly Predator, Theory: Victims Were In The Wrong Place At The Wrong Time, To learn more about the case, watch Lovers Lane Murders". [citation needed]. Rumors and legends started hitting the headlines. Their families were devastated and shocked. 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/. He explained it might be easier to wrap ones mind around one killer, not four or even more different ones. While the search for answers continues, theories have emerged. Cathy Thomas, 27, and Rebecca Dowski, 21, were strangled and had their throats cut in 1986; David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were shot in 1987; Keith Call, 20, and Cassandra Hailey, 19, disappeared after a college party in 1988 and are still missing; and the remains of Annamaria Phelps, 18, and Daniel Lauer, 21, were found by hunters in 1989. Naval Academy in 1981, as part of its second class to admit women. Hes made it a point to make himself available to the public, in case the right tip comes in. 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! 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. 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? They were never found. ", "We told her upfront and we express concern that going to the Naval Academy was going to be very tough," he continued. On September 20, 1987, Knoblings truck was found abandoned by the James River Bridge, Richmond.com reported. At the time, she was also thinking about going to grad school and possibly studying international relations. 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 second Annamaria and Daniel were reported missing, the red-flags went up, and the district devolved into a panic. They were couples in cars. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The only evidence of any wrongdoing was the discovery of Calls red Toyota Celica, unoccupied at the York River Overlook. The scavengers, the muggy atmosphere, and the advanced decomposition made it impossible to determine the exact cause of death. What really made these murders stand out was their complexity that fact that couples and not individuals were the targets; their setting a brazen attack done in an area steeped in our Nations history, which made them even more morbid and profane to the collective subconscious; their wild and oftentimes misleading media coverage the murders are still prime fodder for all sorts of sensational series, books, and podcasts; and finally, the disquieting realization that the killer was never identified and that he or she will most likely escape any justice. 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. Their bodies were uncovered after an exhaustive three-day search party. Maps of crime scene. 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. Becky was collateral damage.. In the case of the Golden State Killer, DeAngelo was identified through third cousins. 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. Part 1 and 2 of Oxygen's 'Lovers Lane Murders' airs Thursday night. The series made its debut on February 1112, 2021. Sept. 20, 1987: David Knoblings truck was found abandoned in a parking lot with the door open, the radio on and his wallet on the dashboard. Fully researched, completely skeptical, unreservedly on the side of the victims. 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 . Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. The killer has never been caught. Within the last five years, he has turned over dozens of tips. Fred died in 2018, and whatever secrets he had died with him. ET. Because of the Colonial Parkways reputation, Thomas and Dowski could have been chosen at random. Why? 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. They are both presumed dead, and evidence points to the same madman or madwoman responsible for the other killings. The Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile (37km) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links Virginia's Historic Triangle. Cathy had graduated from the U.S. 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. 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