2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. They had been strangled with their throats cut. Although it is compelling and plausible, there is no evidence that it was law enforcement, said, former prosecutor and series co-host Loni, Theory: Murders Are Linked By Location, Not One Killer. Murders all occurred, she said, within a 30-mile radius and all on a weekend or holiday.. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "She had martial arts training from the Naval Academy and she was incredibly athletic. 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. 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. or whoever approached them pretended to be a cop -- or was a cop, he said. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. A year later in September 1989, the outlet reported Annamarie Phelps, 18, and Daniel Lauer, 21, vanishedfrom a rest stop in New Kent County. Will mock murderers with glee. DOOMSDAY MOM LORI VALLOW IS AN EVIL MONSTER WHO OBSESSED OVER END OF TIMES BEFORE CHILDREN'S DEATHS: DOC. Were reverse engineering the family tree of this unknown person, and eventually their identity through the family tree with who they share DNA with one or two genealogy databases that we have access to, said Moore. On September 20, 1987, Knoblings truck was found abandoned by the James River Bridge, Richmond.com reported. *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 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. Oct. 26, 2018. In the late 1980s, the murders spanning three years brought eight families together through the shared grief, frustration and denial that only they could understand. 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. Rumors and legends started hitting the headlines. They were couples in cars. 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. Call loved going to the beach and was especially fond of his car. Despite her drive and determination, Cathy left the Navy just before her death. According to Moore, there may be reasons why the DNA has not been tested yet, such as the sample size of the DNA could be too small or too severely degraded to undergo genetic genealogy analysis. According to the FBI, there are about 1400 murders that remain unsolved.. Shes remained in Gloucester most of her life, just in case. 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. Naval Academy in 1981 as part of its second class to admit women. Now you flash forward and as painful as the passage of time can be, we now have truly advanced DNA testing available. The outlet noted that there were no clear signs of robbery or rape for any of these cases. 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. At first, Thomas said his family suspected Cathy and Dowski were victims of a hate crime. Cassandra Lee Hailey, 18, and Richard Keith Call, 20, dropped off the face of the Earth on that Spring evening. Each had been shot in the head. And unfortunately . To his knowledge, the DNA still has not been tested. Cathys throat was slit so deepthat she was nearly decapitated. [14], On June 25, 2018, editors at Listverse released a new article, "Ten Disturbing Facts About the Colonial Parkway Murders. The odds of four double homicides in as many years are extremely rare, which is why the slayings are. Legal Statement. Edwards had struggled with her mental health and was prone to running away and some reckless behavior. 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. Chilling and eerie similarities connected the four cases, but no one has ever been arrested for the crimes. Its still unclear what David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were doing together the night of their murders in 1987. They plan to write another soon. Between 1986 and 1989, three young couples were found brutally murdered while one couple is still missing and presumed dead, on or near the Colonial Parkway, a roadway that connects Jamestown,. to a serial killer. The first known victims there could very well have been others before that havent been uncovered or linked to the case were Cathleen Thomas, 27, and Rebecca Ann Dowski, 21. [Thomas] could hold their own from day one. The car had been pushed down an embankment off the Colonial Parkway. So as long as theres something left to analyze, theres always hope that it will be solved through genetic genealogy.. Its difficult to imagine something as gruesome and shocking as a string of murders occurring on this seemingly safe road but thats exactly what happened decades ago. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! He also helps manage a Facebook page, Colonial Parkway Murders, with 14,000 followers, which aims to build awareness of the four cases. Three days later, Robin Edwards and Knoblings bodies were discovered in the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge in Isle of Wight County, shot to death. Becky was collateral damage.. Moderated by former FBI Special Agent Maureen O'Connell, the panel featured family members and advocates Joyce Call and Bill Thomas along with Blaine Pardoe, coauthor of a book on the case, A Special Kind of Evil: The Colonial Parkway Serial Killings. Explore! During this time, a serial killer had struck multiple times, mostly attacking couples, along the Colonial Parkway in and around Williamsburg, Virginia. 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. All of these factors are critical to understanding the mystique that the murders still hold over the national narrative. THE COLONIAL PARKWAY MURDERS: A STEP BY STEP REPORT. After their parents died, Call-Canada and her brother took up the effort to prod investigators. 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. 2023 Copyright Colonial Ghosts. 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. [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. 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. helps manage a Facebook page, Colonial Parkway Murders, with 14,000 followers, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. All the victims were killed with different methods (stabbing, strangulation, gunshot wound). All of the slayings, known as "The Colonial Parkway Murders," are stillunsolved. 26, 2018. Cathy Thomas, 27, and Rebecca Dowski, 21, had been dating for several months when they went out for food on October 9, 1986. 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.". The young woman had graduated from the U.S. Or could it be that four separate criminals were executing young people in the area? 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. [16], On October 26, 2018, Dateline NBC released "Dateline Crime Capsule: The Colonial Parkway Murders" which offered a look into the history of the case. Why are they still a hot button topic? After speaking for hours with Call-Canada about their family members cases, the pair began planning their efforts to pressure law enforcement. Over the years, things have changed, you know, my dad died and my mom mentally cant handle the stress of dealing with the case, said Santiago. Calls beloved Toyota Celica was discovered at a York River overlook, just a few miles from where Thomas and Dowski had been murdered two years prior. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. Steve Spingola, former Milwaukee homicide detective, investigated the murders on behalf of the families. Six weeks later their bodies were found by hunters. Several million travelers a year use this route . 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. You cant exactly finger a suspect and develop a viable culprit on car displacement and fascination with couples. If they are smart enough not to get caught, theres very little we can do.. 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. An autopsy found rope burns on their necks and wrists, signs of strangulation, their throats had been slashed, and diesel fuel was poured over the bodies and the car but the car failed to ignite. 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. They also eventually helped organize some of the families. Green jumper the killer wore. [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. Directions and Map (904) 525-8080. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Call-Canada was at work in 2009 when she got a call from her brother. Sept. 5, 1989: Annamaria Phelps, 18 and Daniel Lauer, 21, disappeared from an Interstate 64 rest stop in New Kent County. In total, 4 pairs of people were targeted, resulting in eight murders and six bodies found. The first two known victims were United States Naval Academy Class of 1981 graduate Cathleen Thomas, 27, and College of William & Mary senior Rebecca Ann Dowski, 21. 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. Cathy Thomas would drive up from Virginia Beach to visit her girlfriend, Becky Dowski, at the College of William and Mary on Thursday nights. [11], On October 8, 2016, the Richmond Times Dispatch ran an in-depth article on the 30th anniversary of the Colonial Parkway murders case: After 30 Years, Relatives in Parkway Murders Hope for a Break in Cases[12], On October 8, 2016, the Virginian-Pilot published in-depth story, "The Killer Could Still be Out There: 30 Years Later, Still No Answers in the Colonial Parkway Murders"[13], On May 4, 2018, the Colonial Parkway murders were covered in featured panel discussion at the annual "CrimeCon" true crime convention in Nashville. April 10, 1988: Keith Call, 20, and Cassandra Hailey, 18, went missing after a college party. Authorities discovered Cathleen and Rebecca on Columbus Day weekend, 1986, inside a white 1980 Honda Civic. 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. Cathleen Thomas was just starting a new chapter after leaving the U.S. Navy, when her life was cut short. Entertainment Television presented a full-length documentary, THS Investigates Serial Killers on the Loose, which features a segment on the Colonial Parkway murders. 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. (Oxygen). The killer has never been caught.Oct. We dont need the reminder that these are cold cases.. Karl Knoblings theory behind the murder of his son David and Robin Edwards in 1987 doesnt have sinister overtones -- and its all the more chilling because of that. In the late 1980s, one possible serial killer in Virginia claimed at least eight lives along a certain stretch of road connecting the two historically important cities of Jamestown and Yorktown. Still, as crime writer David Lohr of the Huffington Post tells us, the stretch has seen its share of bloodshed in the shape of a suspected serial killer. The Colonial Parkway murders were a series of four double homicides from 1986-89. Both women were found with rope burns on their neck and wrist with signs of strangulation. Dogs traced their scents to the river, but soon lost it. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. From 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred either on or near the scenic, seemingly safe road. Their bodies were uncovered after an exhaustive three-day search party. 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. Keith Call, top row and third to the left, and Cassandra Hailey disappeared April 10, 1988. Phelps had been dating Lauer's brother at the time they went missing. Remember, this was over 30 years ago in Virginia, which is a very conservative, military area. [1] During that time, three couples were murdered and one couple is missing and presumed to be dead. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. (File photos). A more micro look reveals that victims werent all killed in the same way. Im proud to know them. Sandy was unique. According to Parabon NanoLabs Genetic Genealogist CeCe Moore, genetic genealogy involves linking DNA of unidentified bodies and/or potential suspects to relatives who have uploaded their DNA to genealogy sites that allow police to access their genetic information. Hailey, meanwhile, was a college freshman who modeled and taught gymnastics, according to the outlet. She was brilliant, beautiful and well-educated, but she was also thoughtful, modest and a deep thinker. The FBI, working in unison with the regions law enforcement, had a victim criteria in their arsenal. According to the special, gays and lesbians were banned from the Navy at the time and she had reportedly been investigated by nine agents. Her son was only a year old when Robin died. 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. Theres always hope that you might find more DNA, finding smaller amounts, with more advanced techniques of detecting DNA, said Moore. IE 11 is not supported. Laundry room crime scene. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. "[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. 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