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. He dropped Edwards off at her home, but later that night she snuck out to meet him. He believes itcame down to chance, he said. Did The Colonial Parkway Victims Know The Killer? Cathy had graduated from the U.S. Though both are presumed dead, their bodies have never been found. The place is a sightseeing extravaganza brimming with historical points, scenic pull-offs, markers, and memorials. At least one of the badly decomposed bodies appears to have suffered knife wounds. And it pains me to think that 34 years have gone by now. Oct. 12, 1986: The bodies of Cathleen Thomas, 27 and Rebecca Dowski, 21, were found at a pull-off on the parkway in Thomas Honda Civic, which had been pushed over an embankment. Despite the continued efforts and media frenzy the murders seem to compel, there is little to no traction on the investigation. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. | by Quinn Zane | Unburied | Medium Write Sign up Sign In 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. On October 19, 1989, the skeletonized bodies of Phelps and Lauer were found in a wooded area by hunters along Interstate 64 between Williamsburg and Richmond. Edwards family members, meanwhile, grieved the lost opportunity to know the woman the teenager was becoming. With portions built between 1930 and 1957, it links the three communities via a roadway . She was determined She was also a Russian scholar. But is it possible they are tragic, separate events? However, the young couple was struggling financially, so Lauer had agreed to move in with them to help them out with money. Shes remained in Gloucester most of her life, just in case. Stephen. 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. What were the Colonial Parkway Murders? Phelps, who family members described to Lovers Lane Murders producers as having a very sharp wit, was dating Lauers younger brother, whom she lived with in Virginia Beach. They were both in top physical condition. Bill Thomas, a producer on Oxygen's 'Lovers' Lane Murders' is seen here with a portrait of his sister Cathy Thomas. 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, Cassandra Hailey and Richard Keith Call, For more on the Colonial Parkway murders, watch Oxygens new limited series. The series made its debut on February 1112, 2021. (Oxygen). But is it possible they are tragic, separate events? She had a soft side but there was a toughness, too, her brother, Bill Thomas, told the producers of Lovers Lane Murders.. 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. It connects Virginia's historic triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. So it wasnt like Cathy and Becky could live their lives in any kind of open fashion. Series co-host Maureen OConnell, a former FBI special agent, sees telltale signs to support this theory. There has to be a degree of self-sabotage from a serial killer for an investigation to pan out. Three pairs were definitively murdered, but another couple went missing but were suspected to have been targeted by the same killer. From about October 1986 to September 1989, 8 people are presumed to have been murdered near Colonial Parkway in Eastern Virginia. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. ", "Was The Colonial Parkway Killer Pretending To Be Law Enforcement? Julia Williams, 24, and Lollie Winans, 26, displayed a wealth of similarities to the Parkway case. 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 . Irvin Wells, retired FBI special agent. His investigation came to the startling conclusion that the murders were committed by multiple assailants and arent tied together. 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. . Knobling had taken Edwards out with his little brother and cousin that day. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. 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. He told Lovers Lane Murders that there may be links between the first and third murders, which are firmly tied to the Colonial Parkway. The Colonial Parkway. "When Cathy and Becky were killed, we thought it might be a hate crime. Entertainment Television presented a full-length documentary, THS Investigates Serial Killers on the Loose, which features a segment on the Colonial Parkway murders. Unlike OConnell, Coombs doesnt see the work of a serial killer. to a serial killer. 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. Their bodies were so decomposed, investigators were unable to determine a cause of death. It is a pageantry of American history embroiled in dozens of tunnels and bridges that are incredibly charming and visually impacting. Between 1986 and 1989, at least eight people were murdered near or along Virginias Colonial Parkway by an apparent serial killer. They all died at night. The series was published again by the paper in 2010. The sun begins to set Tuesday evening September 27, 2016 near an overlook along the Colonial Parkway. [citation needed] The show mentioned that this disappearance may be part of the Colonial Parkway murders. Cathy has been gone longer than she was with us. They had been strangled with their throats cut. Knoblings father and the local constabulary spearheaded the manhunt. [10], In October 2016, there was extensive coverage of the 30th anniversary of the Colonial Parkway murders, including an eight-part multimedia presentation by the Daily Press newspaper. 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. She was brilliant, beautiful and well-educated, but she was also thoughtful, modest and a deep thinker. Naval Academy in 1981 as part of its second class to admit women. For the past 15 years Janette Santiago, sister of Robin Edwards, has been the main point of contact for her family. Three days later, Robin Edwards and Knoblings bodies were discovered in the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge in Isle of Wight County, shot to death. 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 also helps manage a Facebook page, Colonial Parkway Murders, with 14,000 followers, which aims to build awareness of the four cases. The remains were too decomposed to reveal the manner of death. Lauers Chevrolet Nova was found on the westbound exit ramp, keys in the ignition, the next day. No one has been standing in this line longer than the family members.. "He was always washing it, his sister, Joyce Call-Canada, told The Virginian Pilot. The second night airs Friday at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. 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. 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. Three days later, their bodies washed up onto the beach at Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge. 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. Refresh the page, check. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. Then people are more likely to care, finished Teri Hailey. He said extremely graphic crime scene photos were leaked to the public, fueling the familys anguish. For Call-Canada, it is the thing that keeps her going: hope that her brothers remains will be discovered and laid to rest. And as of today, all of the murders remain unsolved. The Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile (37km) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links Virginias Historic Triangle. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Once more, there were no signs of sexual assault or robbery. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! In 2018, when the news broke that the 45-year-old Golden State Killer cold case had been solved with the arrest of Joseph DeAngelo, many, including Thomas and other families of the Colonial Parkway Murder victims, found a renewed sense of hope with investigative genetic genealogy. 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 Parkway murders are believed to be the act of an apparent serial killer. Explore! 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. The former was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the latter a senior of Willam & Mary College. David + Robin. She described Robin as a firecracker personality, who got along with everyone she met. [29] While the Virginia State Police claim the information in this note was previously examined, one of the state police investigators working during the 1989 PhelpsLauer murders told a television reporter from WAVY-TV that he was "unaware of the existence of the note". So, who were the Colonial Parkway murder victims? This year she would have turned 48. Rebecca Dowski, top left, and Cathleen Thomas, bottom left, were killed Oct. 12, 1986. Authorities discovered Cathleen and Rebecca on Columbus Day weekend, 1986, inside a white 1980 Honda Civic. Theory: A Savage Hate Crime Set Off The Series Of Killings, In the 1980s, the Colonial Parkway was known as a gay lovers lane, according to, It was known, not only by the homosexual community, but by the haters of the homosexual community, he said. Gays and lesbians were banned from the Navy at that time, and she had been investigated by nine agents regarding her sexuality, her brother told producers. A critical future was the way the perpetrator might have approached them. Thomas said he had been notified by the FBI a year ago that DNA in his sisters case was being sent for testing at Quantico. It was considered a double murder. 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. Federal Bureau of Investigations Public Affairs Specialist Christina Pullen would not confirm the presence of DNA, whether it has been tested or any specifics on the ongoing case. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. None had been robbed or sexually molested, stumping investigators as to what the possible motive that galvanized the murders might have been. Tying them all together helps in a way because, if they put a title to it and people want to put together a show, Paula Hailey said. to the spots logistics and that particular set of prey. Easily add multiple stops, see live traffic and road conditions. "It was difficult," Thomas admitted. If she had not been killed, Bill Thomas is sure she would have gone on to accomplish anything she wanted. ", "Murder Accountability Project: Tracking America's unsolved homicides", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colonial_Parkway_murders&oldid=1110597999, This page was last edited on 16 September 2022, at 11:09. (ill Tiernan). They also eventually helped organize some of the families. According to Moore, this new advancement has led to hundreds of arrests across the country. 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. The killer has never been caught.Oct. ET. The Colonial Parkway is a scenic, 23-mile stretch in Virginia that links the historic towns of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. After their parents died, Call-Canada and her brother took up the effort to prod investigators. The theory the first murder was a targeted hate crime adds heft to the notion the murders wereunconnected events. You cant exactly finger a suspect and develop a viable culprit on car displacement and fascination with couples. [Thomas] could hold their own from day one. THE COLONIAL PARKWAY MURDERS: A STEP BY STEP REPORT. Call was a computer science major and an old soul in a way, his brother told Lovers Lane Murders.. The car had been pushed down an embankment off the Colonial Parkway In Virginia. Their bodies have never been found, but both are presumed dead. And remember, this was the 1980s. It helps explain how the killer could take control of two people at once. Part 1 and 2 of Oxygen's 'Lovers Lane Murders' airs Thursday night. A typically tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be the setting for a gruesome string of murders. 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. A small caveat before we spring forth into the latest horror room, the third couples link to the Parkway Murders is somewhat debatable. 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. . According to the special, gays and lesbians were banned from the Navy at the time and she had reportedly been investigated by nine agents. It appears that Thomas may have struggled with her attacker as a clump of hair was later found between her fingers. They were never found. Murders all occurred, she said, within a 30-mile radius and all on a weekend or holiday., Moreover, the slayings occurred at night, and mostly in areas that look like lovers lanes. "I cant emphasize this enough, but there was a tremendous amount of resistance for those women joining the academy," Thomas explained. To learn more about the case, watch Lovers Lane Murders" on Oxygen, or stream episodes any time on Oxygen.com. 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. For the the other half, the parents who have died, they will never see justice for their childrens deaths. 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. Rebecca Dowski, top left, and Cathleen Thomas, bottom left, were killed Oct. 12, 1986. 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. "She had martial arts training from the Naval Academy and she was incredibly athletic. Its very important to do these interviews, and to let your readers, and the viewers of the television series, even listening to the podcast, and whatever, know why this is still important, Thomas said. 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. 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. In 1986, a 23-mile scenic road run by the National Park Service in Virginia became indelibly linked with a series of double homicides that came to be called the Colonial Parkway murders. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. Daniel Plott, retired Virginia State Police, concurred. Rumors and legends started hitting the headlines. He was shy at first, but once you got to know him he opened up, he said. Fred Atwell: Fred Atwell is the former deputy sheriff that was active during the investigation in 1986. However, the string of murders that followed their deaths made them wonder whether a serial killer was involved. In 2008, E! The sightseeing is prime. For two decades, the crime-scene pictures have been secret, critical evidence in the hunt for a serial murderer. However, Cathy was unafraid to try things that no one else had done before. Six weeks later their bodies were found by hunters. 8:00 a.m . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, This section is going to be macabre, scatological, and disturbing. Did The Colonial Parkway Victims Know The Killer? Virginia's beautiful Colonial Parkway has a dark history of unsolved murders and disappearances. 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. The murders associated with the series span from the area around the Colonial Parkway around Williamsburg, to New Kent . "[24], On February 9, 2021, Access Hollywood presented a television series about the Colonial Parkway murders. Why are they still a hot button topic? 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. Call loved going to the beach and was especially fond of his car. (Oxygen), "She had been very sorry to leave the Navy after five years, but she didnt feel that it was welcoming for her as a gay woman," said Thomas. These killings, known as the Colonial Parkway murders, remain unsolved. The eeriest part,. If they are smart enough not to get caught, theres very little we can do.. LA County Criminal Prosecutor Loni Coombs and former FBI Special Agent Maureen OConnell are seen here speaking with Bill Thomas. 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. In 2010, a note was discovered in a box taken years earlier from Annamaria Phelps's apartment. This is an ongoing criminal investigation, we are not in a position to discuss what evidence we are working with as part of the case, said Corrine Geller, public relations director for VSP. He and Cassandra Hailey vanished while on their first date in 1988. 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. From 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred on or near the Colonial Parkway. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Cathy Thomas, 27, and Rebecca Dowski, 21, had been dating for several months when they went out for food on October 9, 1986. It's a roadway and state route, partly manned by the National Park Service, that interlocks Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. "And it saddens me that Cathy Thomas would have been one of those women. 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. 19 talking about this. Edwards had struggled with her mental health and was prone to running away and some reckless behavior. Four double homicides occurred on or near the Colonial Parkway in Virginia during the 1980s. Was The Colonial Parkway Killer Pretending To Be Law Enforcement? In 2007, the disappearance and presumed murder of Cassandra Hailey and Keith Call was featured in the Investigation Discovery program Sensing Murder, whereby investigators brought in psychics Pam Coronado and Laurie Campbell to gain new insights into the crimes. Naval Academy in 1981, as part of its second class to admit women. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. 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. S, eries co-host Maureen OConnell, a former FBI special agent, sees telltale signs to support this theory. Directions and Map (904) 525-8080. They had both been shot in the head, execution-style. From 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred either on or near the scenic, seemingly safe road. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. 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. However, Cathy moved on and pursued a thriving career as a stockbroker. 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. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Knobling's black Ford Ranger pickup truck was found at the refuge parking area next to the James River Bridge with the wipers and radio on and some articles of clothing inside. Or could it be that four separate criminals were executing young people in the area? He told Lovers Lane Murders that it suggests the driver was responding to authority. Now he has three children of his own. All of these factors are critical to understanding the mystique that the murders still hold over the national narrative. Step by step directions for your drive or walk. Now, a team of former FBI special agents led by former FBI Profiler Jim Clemente intends . Now, more than 10 years later, the families are pushing for another meeting. Weve got amazing investigators working on our case. In Spingolas eyes, there was no serial killer. Cassandra Lee Hailey, 18, and Richard Keith Call, 20, dropped off the face of the Earth on that Spring evening. *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 It features LA County Criminal Prosecutor Loni Coombs and former FBI Special Agent Maureen OConnell whoconductedinterviews with law enforcement and families, as well as tracked down new leads. 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. That kind of opens up the window for somebody else to come along and pick on them.. Three days later, the bodies of Knobling and Robin Edwards, 14, washed ashore on the James River at the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge. 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. At first, Thomas said his family suspected Cathy and Dowski were victims of a hate crime. Annamarie Phelps, top right, and Daniel Lauer, bottom right, disappeared Sept. 5, 1989. "She discovered after graduating from the Naval Academy that she was a lesbian. 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. 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. 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. On April 10, 1988, two kids from Christopher Newport University both perfect in-synched with the killers victim profile were reported missing after attending a party in Newport News during their first date together. 26, 2018. The second Annamaria and Daniel were reported missing, the red-flags went up, and the district devolved into a panic. In October 1986, the bodies of Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski were discovered inside the 1980 Honda Civic that belonged to Thomass sibling. [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? 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