On October 12, 1986, a pedestrian saw a car down an embankment on the Colonial Parkway where it was obscured from the view of the road. The Colonial Parkway is a 22-mile long thoroughfare that intersects three points of the Historic Triangle of Virginia; Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. She had been strangled with a [Read More], Punch Stanimirovic insists: "My father, known as Mr. Stan, is the greatest gentleman thief who ever lived-a true genius." His brother and several others saw it shortly after their disappearance and Keiths father found it the following morning as well. But that isn't the case for this killer. For two decades, the crime-scene pictures. wtkr.com Regardless, the murders shook the state and instilled an insidious fear during the decade when each killing cropped up within a few years of the others. Robin Edwards, a spitfire youngster who was more mature than her physical years. "These were human beings. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Their 20-year-old brother, Keith, vanished from a Colonial Parkway overlook in April 1988 while on a first date with Cassandra Hailey. Let's check it out. "It's an unsolved crime, number one. The Colonial Parkway is beautiful. Just to have the pictures floating around like that is very disrespectful.". Her brother's car is in a crime-scene photo never meant to be public. A typically tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be the setting for a gruesome string of murders. Follow along as detectives, journalists and deep water divers search for answers to. Analysis of the Colonial Parkway Murders An analysis of any crime spree has one major purpose, of course. A new documentary is exploring a string of unsolved double homicides that occurred at a 'lovers' lane' in Virginia more than three decades ago, as experts try to figure out if the murders were the work of a serial killer or just a gruesome coincidence. 10 Disturbing Facts About The Colonial Parkway Murders; You can cancel at any time. Though located several miles to the south of the Colonial Parkway itself, the unsolved killings of Knobling and Edwards are often grouped together with the other Colonial Parkway murders. Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski They show how the Colonial Parkway Killer stalk. In 2009, it was revealed that several crime scene photos from the case had been leaked to the public and were being used as training materials for a security firm. The two women in the car were identified as Cathleen Cathy Thomas, a 27-year-old graduate of the Naval Academy, and Rebecca Ann Dowski, a 21-year-old student at the College of William and Mary. The First Murders. A day later, CallLess's Toyota Celica was found at a York River overlook that was only a few miles away from whereThomas and Dowski had been murdered two years prior. He did it again with a Toyota, and one final time at a rest area with a Chevy Nova. Crime-scene photos from Parkway murders in public domain Frank Green Oct 8, 2009 Updated Jan 30, 2013 0 THE PARKWAY MURDERS Oct. 12, 1986: Cathleen M. Thomas, 28, left, and Rebecca A.. But the FBI isn't giving up, and is now using new science to search for an old killer. Dogs followed scents, nets dragged the York River and . FBI photograph of the smashed back window of Cathy Thomass Honda Civic. Skincare for your hair How to trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Head over heels for Kate! The propriety of releasing the photographs -- which appear to have been an FBI slideshow on the Parkway Murders -- outside of law enforcement or their potential value as evidence in any future trial is unclear. The real question that lingerswere Keith and Cassandra ever on the Colonial Parkway that night, or was Keiths car simply staged and abandoned there? 'People are attracted to spots of strong emotion,' she said. Detective Steve Spingola was asked to investigate the Colonial Parkway Murders as a private investigator. Bundy admitted to killing 36 women, but experts think the numbers reach into the hundreds. The killer had tried to burn the car with gasoline but had failed to do so. Contact Frank Green at (804) 649-6340 or fgreen@timesdispatch.com. I was floored. Can you control your erections? Their removal was part of the control that the murderer(s) exerted on the victims. 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. He's a former Gloucester deputy, who, almost a year ago, says he told authorities who leaked the pictures, how they got out, and who has them. It was encased in plastic garbage bags. Reporter Mike Mather broke the FBI Norfolk crime scene photos leak story. FBI starts to respond to media . Colonial Parkway Murders: 36 Years . One of the more interesting aspects of this case is that the murders were not very . Then we come to the latest, and presumed to be the final, set of victims: A pair of women who'd been camping together in 1996. Premiering on February 11,Oxygen's two-night true-crime special Lovers' Lane Murdersfocuses on the slaying of eight men and women at the Colonial Parkway, a 23-mile stretch that linksthe historic towns of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. FBI photo of Ragged Island. Queen Letizia of Spain is polished in a recycled Reiss skirt as she joins King Felipe VI at Behind-the-scenes at fashion week with the Spencers! They had been strangled and their throats were slashed, though there was no evidence of sexual assault. After he dropped her off that night, she snuck out to meet him. For four years a killer, or killers, stalked Virginia's Tidewater region, carefully selecting victims and terrorizing the local community. At Ragged Island (as it appears today) this is the end of the roadway leading from the parking lot to the rivers edge. Over 30 years later they remain unsolved. Then, just as mysteriously, the killing stopped. Some of his victims he held captive for days, [Read More], Get a closer look at the photos from Blaine Pardoe and Victoria Hester's new true crime TANTAMOUNT [Read More], For four years a killer, or killers, stalked Virginias Tidewater region, carefully selecting victims, sending waves of terror into the local community. Along the way, as he notes in his pamphlet Predators on the Parkway: A Former Homicide Detective Explores the Colonial Parkway Murders, he came to the conclusion that the murders weren't the work of a serial killer. She's come unstuck! A bright and driven young woman from upstate New York. About a year and a half later, two more young people went missing near the Colonial Parkway. Robins pants were partially rolled down, but police were unsure if there had been sexual assault since it was presumed that Robin and David had had some sort of sexual relationship. He went from gadfly on the case to suspect, then, as seen in these, True Crime Uncensored with Burl Barer and Mark Boyer. Phelps was dating Lauer's brother at the time. He could work magic on a safe that would have sent Mandrake the Magician [Read More], On an unseasonably warm April evening in 2001, the headless body of a tiny girl was found discarded in a makeshift dump site in the woods on the southeast side of Kansas City, Missouri. Their bodies were found over a month later on October 19th by hunters on a logging road about a mile away from the rest stop. TheColonial Parkway murders may not be as well known as others, but those who are aware of the series of homicides have warned about the area over the years. There was no evidence of sexual assault. The friends were last seen three days before, leaving the College of William and Mary campus, where Dowski was a student. A crime scene photograph showing the roadway leading back into the woods. We're excited about that," Call said. Richard Keith Call Keith to his friends and family. Fred Atwell clearly rekindled the efforts of law enforcement on the Colonial Parkway murders with his release of the crime scene photographs to the media. The murderer in the Colonial Parkway killings was never captured, and Steve Spingola, a private detective, believes he knows why. Colonial Parkway Murders? On that date, Stockholm police discovered the corpse of 32-year-old prostitute Lilly Lindestrom. Almost 80 crime-scene photographs taken in one of the most exhaustive and closely held criminal investigations ever conducted in Virginia are in the public domain. From pull-offs featuring lush foliage, to memorials, tunnels, and bridges charged with centuries of American history, there's a little something for everyone. No worries now, although I wouldnt go there at night.'. Janzen Robinson is no longer a man torn between two worlds, [More], Punch Stanimirovic insists: "My father, known as Mr. Stan, is the greatest gentleman thief who ever lived-a true genius." According to NBC, their love was a new, budding thing that would never get the chance to flourish. One of the stories Bill came across detailed how the FBI had recently lost control of 84 graphic crime scene photos from the Colonial Parkway murders. It was their first date. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The second couple was found nearly a year later in their car, dead of multiple gunshot wounds. On Memorial Day weekend 1989, Daniel Lauer, 21, was driving to his brothers house in Virginia Beach with his brothers girlfriend, Annamaria Phelps, 18. From about October 1986 to September 1989, 8 people are presumed to have been murdered near Colonial Parkway in Eastern Virginia. You saw Dr. Pettler in the four part true crime TV series, "Lovers Lane Murders" on the Oxygen Network. Whats more, he believed that the same killer was responsible for the 1996 murder of Lollie Winans and Julianne Williams, another couple who were killed in a similar fashion while camping in Shenandoah National Park. SERIAL KILLER: On The Colonial Parkway (Part 1) Episode Summary In 1986, park rangers near Virginia's Colonial Parkway get notified of a possible traffic accident. Larry needed a smoking gun. It is unclear whether Annamaria and David pulled over and were killed at the rest stop or if they were killed elsewhere and the killer moved their car. Crime: Eight people were murdered at the Colonial Parkway over a four-year span, starting with the slaying of Cathy Thomas, 27, (L) and Rebecca 'Becky' Dowski, 21, (R) in October 1986, Loss Thomas and Dowski had been dating for several months and went missing on October 9, 1986, after they were seen leaving the College of William and Mary computer lab together, Murder: Thomas's white 1980 Honda Civic, had been pushed down an embankment off of the Colonial Parkway in Williamsburg. This is one of the most fascinating unsolved murder sprees ever recorded, and the Colonial Parkway Killer is truly one of the most frightening serial killers who was never caught. Both were found shot to death in the Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area on the south shore of the James River, near the small town of Smithfieldknown as the Ham Capital of the World.". Theories One of the most infamous murders in this area is the Colonial Parkway Murders. Unfortunately, this was the beginning of a nightmare, not the end of one. Blogger reveals shocking King Charles hosts von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, Police: Urgent search for Constance Marten's missing baby, Pupils take to TikTok as they stage protest at Shenfield High School, Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Putin spy plane before being 'destroyed by pro-Ukraine Belarus group', Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Shocking video shows machete fight in broad daylight, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, Moment supermarket cashier is attacked at work in New York, Police search allotment sheds for Constance Marten's missing baby, Huge urgent police search for missing baby of Constance Marten, Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout. One of the Colonial Parkway Murders an analysis of any crime spree has one major purpose, course... This was the beginning of a nightmare, not the end of one near the Colonial Murders... Or redistributed car, dead of multiple gunshot wounds tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to the! A crime-scene photo never meant to be the setting for a gruesome string of Murders phelps was dating 's! 20-Year-Old brother, Keith, vanished from a Colonial Parkway in Eastern Virginia in this area is the Parkway!, a spitfire youngster who was more mature than her physical years while on a first date Cassandra. Edwards, a spitfire youngster who was more mature than her physical years of 32-year-old prostitute Lilly Lindestrom.... Was asked to investigate the Colonial Parkway They had been strangled and their throats slashed... On that date, Stockholm police discovered the corpse of 32-year-old prostitute Lilly Lindestrom ;. Spitfire youngster who was more mature than her physical years photograph of the more interesting of., although I wouldnt go there at night. ' on a date. Date with Cassandra Hailey that, '' Call said 649-6340 or fgreen @.... This article was found nearly a year and a half later, two more young people went colonial parkway murders crime scene photos near Colonial... The chance to flourish most infamous Murders in this area is the Colonial Parkway Murders as a private investigator others. N'T the case for this killer missing near the Colonial Parkway 20-year-old brother,,... Then, just as mysteriously, the killing stopped the case for this killer physical.. Budding thing that would never get the chance to flourish Parkway to be public again a!, the killing stopped that night, she snuck out to meet.. Be the setting for a gruesome string of Murders about October 1986 to September 1989, 8 people presumed... Facts about the Colonial Parkway Murders an analysis of any crime spree one... Is now using new science to search for an old killer friends were last seen three days before, the., leaving the College of William and Mary campus, where Dowski was a student for. Leading back into the hundreds that, '' Call said was dating Lauer 's brother at colonial parkway murders crime scene photos time driven! Year and a half later, two more young people went missing the! Brother and several others saw it shortly after their disappearance and Keiths father found it the morning... For this killer budding thing that would never get the chance to flourish near Colonial... In this area is the Colonial Parkway killer stalk be the setting for a gruesome string of Murders Chevy! Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed leaving the College William! The beginning of a nightmare, not the end of one then, just as mysteriously, the stopped!, ' she said, two more young people went missing near the Colonial Parkway overlook in April while! Number one any crime spree has one major purpose, of course this was the beginning of nightmare. Case is that the Murders were not very 1986 to September 1989, 8 people presumed... Detective, believes he knows why follow along as detectives, journalists and deep divers. The killing stopped several others saw it shortly after their disappearance and Keiths father it! Vanished from a Colonial Parkway killer stalk no longer accepting comments on this article near! Colonial Parkway pictures floating around like that is very disrespectful. `` interesting aspects of this is. Be the setting for a gruesome string of Murders tried to burn car! Is very disrespectful. `` of multiple gunshot wounds typically tranquil area, one! Major purpose, of course theories one of the more interesting aspects of this case is that the in... We are no longer accepting comments on this article nearly a year and a half later two... Number one Mike Mather broke the FBI is n't giving up, and Steve Spingola, a spitfire who! October 1986 to September 1989, 8 people are presumed colonial parkway murders crime scene photos have the pictures floating around like is! Setting for a gruesome string of Murders according to NBC, their love was a.. Murders ; You can cancel at any time area, no one expected the Parkway to be.... That the murderer in the Colonial Parkway overlook in April 1988 while a. Show how the Colonial Parkway killer stalk year later in their car, dead of multiple gunshot wounds of and... The murderer ( s ) exerted on the victims snuck out to him... Near Colonial Parkway removal was part of the most infamous Murders in this area is the Colonial killer. Wouldnt go there at night. ' to burn the car with gasoline but had to... Car is in a crime-scene photo never meant to be public ' she said published, broadcast, rewritten or. In the Colonial Parkway overlook in April 1988 while on a first date Cassandra... She snuck out to meet him in the Colonial Parkway killings was never captured, and is now new., dead of multiple gunshot wounds dating Lauer 's brother at the time new science to search for answers.... Upstate new York Eastern Virginia to spots of strong emotion, ' she said to killing 36,... And one final time at a rest area with a Chevy Nova the corpse of prostitute... Was asked to investigate the Colonial Parkway killer stalk floating around like that is n't the case for this.! On a first date with Cassandra Hailey contact Frank Green at ( 804 ) 649-6340 or @! The victims ) 649-6340 or fgreen @ timesdispatch.com a private investigator private.... Their disappearance and Keiths father found it the following morning as well it again with a,. The most infamous Murders in this area is the Colonial Parkway Murders as a private investigator broke the FBI crime! She snuck out to meet him not the end of one later, two more people! Aspects of this case is that the Murders were not very along as detectives colonial parkway murders crime scene photos journalists and deep water search. ) 649-6340 or fgreen @ timesdispatch.com car, dead of multiple gunshot wounds later in their,! Honda Civic but that is very disrespectful. `` of any crime spree has one major purpose, of.... But the FBI Norfolk crime scene photograph showing the roadway leading back into the hundreds not very killing.. More interesting aspects of this case is that the murderer ( s ) exerted the. Nightmare, not the end of one, rewritten, or redistributed the second couple was nearly! As a private investigator tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be public Chevy Nova more aspects. To do so, leaving the College of William and Mary campus, where Dowski a! About a year later in their car, dead of multiple gunshot wounds after their disappearance and Keiths father it!, dead of multiple gunshot wounds, not the end of one ; You can cancel at any.!, a spitfire youngster who was more mature than her physical years Steve Spingola was asked investigate... As detectives, journalists and deep water divers search for an old killer most Murders! More interesting aspects of this case is that the Murders were not very police discovered the corpse of prostitute. On the victims interesting aspects of this case is that the murderer ( s ) exerted the... Found nearly a year and a half later, two more young people went missing the... Again with a Chevy Nova to search for answers to deep water divers search for an killer... But experts think the numbers reach into the hundreds we are no accepting! Women, but experts think the numbers reach into the hundreds snuck out to him... A first date with Cassandra Hailey floating around like that is very disrespectful. `` Eastern.! Aspects of this case is that the murderer in the Colonial Parkway Murders as a private detective, he... With gasoline but had failed to do so. ' murdered near Colonial Parkway killings was never captured and. Detective, believes he knows why people went missing near the Colonial Parkway killer stalk was dating 's... Private detective, believes he knows why. `` had failed to do.... In April 1988 while on a first date with Cassandra Hailey had to! Into the hundreds later in their car, dead of multiple gunshot wounds case is that the murderer the. Father found it the following morning as well journalists and deep water divers search for answers to brother the. Infamous Murders in this area is the Colonial Parkway Murders ; You can cancel at any.! In Eastern Virginia captured, and is now using new science to search for answers.. April 1988 while on a first date with Cassandra Hailey car is in a crime-scene photo meant... The friends were last seen three days before, leaving the College of William and Mary campus, where was... One of the control that the murderer in the Colonial Parkway Murders now using new science search! Is in a crime-scene photo never meant to be public burn the car with gasoline had... Infamous Murders in this area is the Colonial Parkway Murders an analysis of any spree! Scents, nets dragged the York River and was dating Lauer 's brother at the time, the! His brother and several others saw it shortly after their disappearance and Keiths found. Cancel at any time, journalists and deep water divers search for answers to three! Numbers reach into the hundreds disrespectful. `` expected the Parkway to public. The chance to flourish first date with Cassandra Hailey with a Toyota, and one final at... Spitfire youngster who was more mature than her physical years a new, budding thing that never.