THE COLONIAL PARKWAY MURDERS: A STEP BY STEP REPORT. (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. Virginia's Colonial Parkway runs a relatively short 23 miles, from Jamestown to Yorkstown, passing through Williamsburg and thereby connecting all of Virginia's famous "Historic Triangle." Part of the Colonial National Historic Park, the scenic route is designed with sightseeing in mind. Stephen's bedroom crime scene. Between 1986 and 1989, at least eight people were murdered near or along Virginias Colonial Parkway by an apparent serial killer. ", "Who Committed The Lovers' Lane Murders? So it wasnt like Cathy and Becky could live their lives in any kind of open fashion. The killer tried unsuccessfully to set it on fire. Daniel Plott, retired Virginia State Police, concurred. [citation needed], In January 2010, a team from FBI Norfolk and FBI Headquarters met with the victims' families to update them on the status of the investigation. 8:00 a.m . She was brilliant, beautiful and well-educated, but she was also thoughtful, modest and a deep thinker. Joyce Call-Canada is the older sister of Keith Call. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. 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. Months later, they were found murdered, wrapped in a blanket in the woods. Three days later, Robin Edwards and Knoblings bodies were discovered in the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge in Isle of Wight County, shot to death. The series was published again by the paper in 2010. Survivor. The Colonial Parkway murders . The car had been pushed down an embankment off the Colonial Parkway In Virginia. Still, some investigators are on the fence and dont want to definitively classify their disappearance as part of the serial killers cycle. Victims were in cars and all were young and killed in pairs. The car had been pushed down an embankment off the Colonial Parkway. [citation needed] The show mentioned that this disappearance may be part of the Colonial Parkway murders. Six weeks later, hunters found their remains. We feellike we could be just as close to start to solve these cases. The only evidence of any wrongdoing was the discovery of Calls red Toyota Celica, unoccupied at the York River Overlook. Its a roadway and state route, partly manned by the National Park Service, that interlocks Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. 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 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. 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 . There is this allure of serial killers, said, Steve Spingola, former homicide detective and author of. Although it is compelling and plausible, there is no evidence that it was law enforcement, said former prosecutor and series co-host Loni Coombs. 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! Six weeks later their bodies were found by hunters. He said extremely graphic crime scene photos were leaked to the public, fueling the familys anguish. The outlet noted that there were no clear signs of robbery or rape for any of these cases. The theory the first murder was a targeted hate crime adds heft to the notion the murders wereunconnected events. In September 1987, a truck belonging to David Knobling, 20, was found abandoned by the James River Bridge. The Colonial Parkway Murders A Tale of Two Killers? David + Robin. The murders associated with the series span from the area around the Colonial Parkway around Williamsburg, to New Kent . The Colonial Parkway is a scenic, 23-mile stretch in Virginia that links the historic towns of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. They also eventually helped organize some of the families. [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. None had been robbed or sexually molested, stumping investigators as to what the possible motive that galvanized the murders might have been. The keys were still in the ignition, the door was open, and the windshield wipers were going. The evidence of the crime was kept intact by a fluke of fate when the diesel failed to ignite. Call loved going to the beach and was especially fond of his car. (Bill Tiernan). As of 2017, our research estimates that over 2000 serial killers are still at large and active in the United States. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. He told Lovers Lane Murders that it suggests the driver was responding to authority. 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 FBI, working in unison with the regions law enforcement, had a victim criteria in their arsenal. My name is Bill Thomas. 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. Naval Academy in 1981 as part of its second class to admit women. 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 (or nearby) between 1986 and 1989. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We dont need the reminder that these are cold cases.. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. 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. "When Cathy and Becky were killed, we thought it might be a hate crime. Several million travelers a year use this route . IE 11 is not supported. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. 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. They didnt use that expression much back then, but that was the idea. 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. 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. If she had not been killed, Bill Thomas is sure she would have gone on to accomplish anything she wanted. The former was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the latter a senior of Willam & Mary College. Directions and Map (904) 525-8080. "[15], On July 23, 2018. The odds of four double homicides in as many years are extremely rare, which is why the slayings are. At the time, she was also thinking about going to grad school and possibly studying international relations. All of the victims were young, White, and were either a romantic couple or could resemble one to an outsider. Then people are more likely to care, finished Teri Hailey. Edwards had struggled with her mental health and was prone to running away and some reckless behavior. 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. Step by step directions for your drive or walk. The Colonial Parkway. But when the other crimes started taking place, year after year, youre just shocked This person may have a law enforcement background or at least understand how law enforcement works.". Julia Williams, 24, and Lollie Winans, 26, displayed a wealth of similarities to the Parkway case. A few key facts primarily that Davids black Ford Ranger pick-up truck was discovered with the side window partially rolled down that made investigators question whether the killer had ties to lay-enforcement or was posing as a police officer. This question of serial killer or coincidence is explored in Oxygens new limited series. He became a well-known whistleblower, and thanks to his action, the FBI was put under the proverbial microscope. Naval Academy in 1981, as part of its second class to admit women. There has to be a degree of self-sabotage from a serial killer for an investigation to pan out. 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. Oxygen's two-night true-crime special Lovers' Lane Murders focuses on the slaying of eight men and women at the Colonial Parkway in Virginia. 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