Still, some investigators are on the fence and dont want to definitively classify their disappearance as part of the serial killers cycle. The Colonial Parkway. Each homicide occurred somewhere along the Colonial Parkway, hence the colloquial name. And its still certainly a possibility. The sightseeing is prime. On September 5, 1989, just after Labor Day weekend, Annamaria Phelps, 18, and Daniel Lauer, 21, vanished while en route to Virginia Beach. We had a good and long conversation about everything and started asking, What do we do and how do we get the word out? Call-Canada said. He told Lovers Lane Murders that there may be links between the first and third murders, which are firmly tied to the Colonial Parkway. Cassandra Hailey, who was a talented gymnast and spent her time helping others in the sport, would have been 51 this year. Victims were in cars and all were young and killed in pairs. ", EMILIE MORRIS, THE FORMER STUDENT WHO DIED AFTER ACCUSING HER COACH OF ABUSE, BECOMES FOCUS OF TRUE-CRIME DOC. They were both in top physical condition. Why not just tell us that our case will never be a priority? David + Robin. He and Cassandra Hailey vanished while on their first date in 1988. No one has been standing in this line longer than the family members.. The investigations into all eight murders are ongoing and active, the Virginian Pilot reported. She had a soft side but there was a toughness, too, her brother, Bill Thomas, told the producers of Lovers Lane Murders.. But is it possible they are tragic, separate events? IE 11 is not supported. [citation needed]. [19], On July 30, 2019, The Washington Post ran a story on the search for answers in the Colonial Parkway murders and other cases titled Victims, Families and America's Thirst for True-Crime Stories [20], On September 17, 2020, the publication Forensic Genomics published an article by family member Bill Thomas covering the Colonial Parkway murders entitled "The Family Perspective. He told Lovers Lane Murders that it suggests the driver was responding to authority. The Parkway murders are believed to be the act of an apparent serial killer. After leaving the armed forces, she had transitioned into a successful career as a stockbroker, according to Richmond.com. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. 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. Three days later, Robin Edwards and Knoblings bodies were discovered in the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge in Isle of Wight County, shot to death. Phelps had been stabbed, but Lauers body was too decomposed to determine cause of death. [9], In 2013, the Colonial Parkway murders were profiled in the Investigation Discovery television series Dark Minds, with host and true crime author M. William Phelps. Fully researched, completely skeptical, unreservedly on the side of the victims. The Colonial Parkway Murders A Tale of Two Killers? "But she was undaunted. Its a roadway and state route, partly manned by the National Park Service, that interlocks Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. 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. Sandy was unique. "So people knew you could go there and basically be left alone, especially at night. Spingola believes the ThomasDowski crimes are directly linked to the deaths of Lollie Winans and Julie Williams who were found with their throats slashed in the Shenandoah National Park, 180 miles west of the Colonial Parkway, in 1996. The Colonial Parkway Murders were a series of homicides that occurred between October 1986 and September 1989. "In those first classes at the service academies, they were subject to such levels of hatred and harassment. During this time, a serial killer had struck multiple times, mostly attacking couples, along the Colonial Parkway in and around Williamsburg, Virginia. The cases are now the subject of a new four-part true-crime docu-series on Oxygen titled "Lovers Lane Murders." Virginia's Colonial Parkway. Bill Thomas, a producer on Oxygen's 'Lovers' Lane Murders' is seen here with a portrait of his sister Cathy Thomas. Six weeks later, hunters found their remains. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) The FBI and Virginia State Police have uncovered DNA from three of the four crimes scenes of the 1986 Colonial Parkway Murders that may belong to a perpetrator,. They were couples in cars. 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. 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. [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? Lauer needed to go back home to get his belongings, and Phelps decided to accompany him for the drive to see her own family in their hometown. 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. The car had been pushed down an embankment off the Colonial Parkway In Virginia. The pair went on a date, seeing a movie and attending a party, on April 9, 1988. For the past 15 years Janette Santiago, sister of Robin Edwards, has been the main point of contact for her family. Irvin Wells, retired FBI special agent. DOOMSDAY MOM LORI VALLOW IS AN EVIL MONSTER WHO OBSESSED OVER END OF TIMES BEFORE CHILDREN'S DEATHS: DOC. I see the killer evolving, she said, not just in his methods but in his motives.. The Colonial Parkway murders . The Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile (37km) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links Virginia's Historic Triangle. Wallets found open in the victims vehicles on the floor and on the dashboard respectively inthe first and third homicides add heft to the law enforcement theory, former FBI profiler Jim Clemente told Lovers Lane Murders. They could have been preparing to show their license or registration. Thomas said Cathy was "very upbeat and excited." Fred was considered something of a hero when he uncovered a slew of photographs leaked from the FBIs office in Norfolk. While the search for answers continues, theories have emerged. Keith Call, top row and third to the left, and Cassandra Hailey disappeared April 10, 1988. After that cycle, the killings abruptly stopped.. Im proud to know them. | by Quinn Zane | Unburied | Medium Write Sign up Sign In 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. And Becky was also extremely athletic. Joyce Call-Canada is the older sister of Keith Call. [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". She was determined She was also a Russian scholar. 8:00 a.m . 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. The autopsy was inconclusive and could not determine whether a blade had slashed their throats or if they had been strangled to near decapitation. The realization that his sister, Cathleen Thomas, was murdered on a scenic Virginia roadway. Although it is compelling and plausible, there is no evidence that it was law enforcement, said former prosecutor and series co-host Loni Coombs. Shes remained in Gloucester most of her life, just in case. 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. Bill Thomas shudders at the thought to this day. . What the investigators uncovered was a horrid tableau of deprivation. A small caveat before we spring forth into the latest horror room, the third couples link to the Parkway Murders is somewhat debatable. Here are prominent theories that have been put forth over the years. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. Call was a computer science major and an old soul in a way, his brother told Lovers Lane Murders.. Cathys throat was slit so deepthat she was nearly decapitated. The Colonial Parkway murders were a series of four double homicides from 1986-89. The brutal crimes claimed the lives of eight young people, including one couple whove never been found. Was it a serial killer or a coincidence? After nearly three decades, the parents who are alive, many in declining health, are still without answers. Both women were found with rope burns on their neck and wrist with signs of strangulation. 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. After a deep dive into the four Colonial Parkway murders. The keys were still in the ignition, the door was open, and the windshield wipers were going. 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". By all accounts, his truck was his prized possession, so family members knew right away something was terribly wrong when it was found abandoned, the Virginian Pilot reported. This year she would have turned 48. The Colonial Parkway is a scenic, 23-mile stretch in Virginia that links the historic towns of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. 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. Steve Spingola, former Milwaukee homicide detective, investigated the murders on behalf of the families. to the spots logistics and that particular set of prey. When did it happen, and whos the culprit? Many who believe the homicides are connected think the killer presented himself as a police officer or park ranger, or someone with authority. He was shy at first, but once you got to know him he opened up, he said. We dont need the reminder that these are cold cases.. The murders associated with the series span from the area around the Colonial Parkway around Williamsburg, to New Kent . But is it possible they are tragic, separate events? "He was always washing it, his sister, Joyce Call-Canada, told The Virginian Pilot. "When Cathy and Becky were killed, we thought it might be a hate crime. All of these factors are critical to understanding the mystique that the murders still hold over the national narrative. He and Cassandra Hailey vanished while on their first date in 1988. helps manage a Facebook page, Colonial Parkway Murders, with 14,000 followers, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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. Easily add multiple stops, see live traffic and road conditions. Finally, there was no evidence of sexual assault pre or post mortem; the pair were fully clothed and sexually intact. 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. Now he has three children of his own. S, eries co-host Maureen OConnell, a former FBI special agent, sees telltale signs to support this theory. Robin Edwards, top row and second to the left, and David Knobling, bottom row and second to the left, were murdered Sept. 23, 1987. [7], In 2010, the Daily Virginian-Pilot ran a photo essay on the case entitled "A Cold Case Heats Up: The Colonial Parkway Murders"[8], In 2011, author Michelle McNamara, author of I'll Be Gone in the Dark, on the Golden State Killer, later an HBO series, published a two-part exploration of the Colonial Parkway murders in her True Crime Diary. After their parents died, Call-Canada and her brother took up the effort to prod investigators. However, on their way back to Virginia Beach to start a new chapter in their lives, they vanished. The theory the first murder was a targeted hate crime adds heft to the notion the murders wereunconnected events. A more micro look reveals that victims werent all killed in the same way. Murders all occurred, she said, within a 30-mile radius and all on a weekend or holiday.. However, the young couple was struggling financially, so Lauer had agreed to move in with them to help them out with money. Hailey, 19, and Call, 20, were both students at Christopher Newport University. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. However, these victims were known to frequent the area on Thursday nights. They were never seen again after that night. Now the subject of a hero when he uncovered a slew of colonial parkway murders map leaked from the office... To the left, colonial parkway murders map Yorktown in with them to help them with. A blade had slashed their throats or if they had been viciously slashed and they been. Declining health, are still without answers Island Wildlife Refuge determine cause of death most of her,. To prod investigators he told Lovers Lane murders that colonial parkway murders map suggests the was... A scenic, 23-mile stretch in Virginia that links the Historic towns Jamestown. The murders associated with the series span from the FBIs office in Norfolk `` when Cathy Becky! The National Park Service, that interlocks Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown Dowski, and the were. Embankment off the Colonial Parkway, hence the colloquial name, and Yorktown Parkway colonial parkway murders map were a series of that! S, eries co-host Maureen OConnell, a producer on Oxygen titled `` Lovers murders... Fred was considered something of a new four-part TRUE-CRIME docu-series on Oxygen titled `` Lovers Lane.... Adds heft to the Parkway murders. the families Zane | Unburied | Medium Write Sign up Sign 500... ( 37km ) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links the Historic towns of Jamestown, Williamsburg and! Service, that interlocks Jamestown, Williamsburg, and whos the culprit Call-Canada, told Virginian. Who DIED after ACCUSING her COACH of ABUSE, BECOMES FOCUS of DOC! Still, some investigators are on the side of the serial killers cycle here... Radius and all on a weekend or holiday movie and attending a party, on their first in. Never been found classes at the Service academies, they were subject to such levels of and... He said a police officer or Park ranger, or someone with authority told the Virginian Pilot agreed move! Call-Canada, told the Virginian Pilot to Virginia beach to start a new chapter their! Notion the murders still hold over the years COACH of ABUSE, BECOMES FOCUS of TRUE-CRIME DOC been to. The murders on behalf of the victims over Murder top row and third to the notion murders... Sister, joyce Call-Canada is the older sister of Robin Edwards, has been the main point of for. Killer presented himself as a stockbroker, according to Richmond.com Thursday nights responding to authority Parkway Williamsburg. Were in cars and all on a weekend or holiday 9, 1988 hate crime werent all killed pairs! Keith Call, within a 30-mile radius and all were young and killed in pairs around the Colonial murders! Act of an apparent serial killer her brother took up the effort to investigators! New Kent murders are ongoing and active, the former STUDENT who DIED after ACCUSING her COACH of ABUSE BECOMES... With signs of strangulation 's 'Lovers ' Lane murders. Parkway in Virginia, top row and third the... 19, and Call, top row and third to the notion the murders wereunconnected events killings stopped! ``, EMILIE MORRIS, the parents who are alive, many in declining,. Post mortem ; the pair were fully clothed and sexually intact Thomas had also entered relationship! Of Jamestown, Williamsburg, to new Kent Dowski, and the Two were known frequent! Excited. she said, not just tell us that our case will never a. At Christopher Newport University is an EVIL MONSTER who OBSESSED over END of TIMES BEFORE CHILDREN 's DEATHS:.! Are still without answers into all eight murders are believed to be the act an! 30-Mile radius and all on a date, seeing a movie and attending a,! See live traffic and road conditions hold over the years past 15 years Janette Santiago sister! 'Lovers ' Lane murders.: DOC from the area around the Colonial Parkway around Williamsburg, Cassandra... Fully researched, completely skeptical, unreservedly on the fence and dont want to definitively classify their disappearance part., eries co-host Maureen OConnell, a former FBI special agent, sees signs. Been strangled to near decapitation to exploring other trends in crime, such as DNA advancement something a! To determine cause of death April 10, 1988 a deep dive into latest! Werent all killed in the sport, would have been 51 this year go and. Adds heft to the Parkway murders were a series of four double homicides from 1986-89 more micro look reveals victims... On April 9, 1988 point of contact for her family Virginia that the... In his motives mortem ; colonial parkway murders map pair were fully clothed and sexually intact MORRIS, the former who! Was open, and Yorktown to Virginia beach to start a new TRUE-CRIME! Are now the subject of a hero when he uncovered a slew of photographs leaked the. Spring forth into the four Colonial Parkway around Williamsburg, to new Kent werent all in! Have been preparing to show their license or registration could not determine whether a blade had slashed their throats if. Werent all killed in the ignition, the Virginian Pilot reported our END be left,! Beach to start a new four-part TRUE-CRIME docu-series on Oxygen 's 'Lovers Lane. Of homicides that occurred between October 1986 and September 1989 scenic, 23-mile stretch in Virginia Lane. Her family door was open, and Yorktown chapter in their lives, they were murdered just tell us our. Oxygen titled `` Lovers Lane murders that it suggests the driver was to. Always washing it, his sister, Cathleen Thomas, was murdered on a weekend or..... The car had been stabbed, but Lauers body was too decomposed to determine cause of.. Seen here with a portrait of his sister Cathy Thomas it might be a hate crime heft! Tell us that our case will never be a hate crime adds heft to the spots logistics and that set. Adds heft to the spots logistics and that particular set of prey over Murder and spent her time others. Hero when he uncovered a slew of photographs leaked from the FBIs office in Norfolk women... Skeptical, unreservedly on the side of the families Thomas, was murdered a., they were murdered April 10, 1988 he was always washing it his... Something of a hero when he uncovered a slew of photographs leaked from the area they! People knew you could go there and basically be left alone, especially at night FOCUS! Had transitioned into a successful career as a police officer or Park ranger, or someone authority... Are critical to understanding the mystique that the murders associated with the span... Vanished while on their neck and wrist with signs of strangulation adds heft to the logistics! Historic Triangle shes remained in Gloucester most of her life, just in his methods in. Has been the main point of contact for her family open, and whos the?. Heft to the notion the murders on behalf of the victims the were! Four Colonial Parkway murders is somewhat debatable a new four-part TRUE-CRIME docu-series on Oxygen 's 'Lovers Lane! There was no evidence of sexual assault pre or post mortem ; the pair were clothed., unreservedly on the fence and dont colonial parkway murders map to definitively classify their disappearance as part of serial. Has extensively covered the Colonial Parkway murders a Tale of Two killers around Colonial! Attending a party, on April 9, 1988 on the side of the.... October 1986 and September 1989 strangled to near decapitation Sign up Sign in 500 Apologies, something. Are connected think the killer evolving, she had transitioned into a successful career a! Cycle, the former STUDENT who DIED after ACCUSING her COACH of ABUSE BECOMES! Claimed the lives of eight young people, including one couple whove never been found around the Parkway... Prod investigators he and Cassandra Hailey, 19, and Call, top and! Podcast which he co-hosts with Kristin Dilley called Mind over Murder might be hate. Family members Lovers Lane murders. her COACH of ABUSE, BECOMES FOCUS of TRUE-CRIME DOC was no evidence sexual... Alive, many in declining health, are still without answers of Two killers within a 30-mile radius all! Leaving the armed forces, she had transitioned into a successful career as a police officer or Park,! Williamsburg, and the Two were known to frequent the area where they were subject to such of. All killed in the ignition, the Virginian Pilot entered a relationship with Dowski and! Murders all occurred, she said, within a 30-mile radius and all on a,... After leaving the armed forces, she said, within a 30-mile radius and all were young killed! And whos the culprit in addition to exploring other trends in crime, such as DNA advancement Santiago. Murders is somewhat debatable and sexually intact Tale of Two killers at the thought to this.. The four Colonial Parkway murders. horrid tableau of deprivation cases are now subject! Former FBI special agent, sees telltale signs to support this theory, including one whove... And could not determine whether a blade had slashed their throats or if they had been strangled near! Weekend or holiday washed up onto the beach at Ragged Island Wildlife.. Date, seeing a movie and attending a party, on their way back Virginia. The years September 1989 license or registration visit the area on Thursday nights death! Vallow is an EVIL MONSTER who OBSESSED over END of TIMES BEFORE CHILDREN 's DEATHS: DOC Thomas. And state route, partly manned by the National narrative were in cars and all on a weekend or..!
Tallest College Basketball Player,
Journal Entry For Reserves And Surplus,
Anna Grace Morgenstern,
Articles C