A crime scene photograph of some of the investigator at the recovery site. On their return trip to Virginia Beach they encountered their killer(s). A critical future was the way the perpetrator might have approached them. The refuge still has a reputation for being a place for a romantic spot and drug deals. The police believed that the murders had happened elsewhere, and the bodies had been dumped in the car since there was not much blood in the car itself. Are you sick of watching and reading about the same killers and crimes? Its isolation and lack of patrols by the NPS made it a perfect place for murder or to dispose of a vehicle/bodies. Larry needed a smoking gun. The back seat of Daniels car, filled with his hastily packed personal belongings for his move to the beach. Their bodies uncovered in Virginias Shenandoah National Park. The real question that lingerswere Keith and Cassandra ever on the Colonial Parkway that night, or was Keiths car simply staged and abandoned there? What happened to them after that remained a mystery until three days later, when a jogger running along the York River by the Colonial Parkway spotted Thomas' white Honda Civic on the edge of an embankment. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. Fred was considered something of a hero when he uncovered a slew of photographs leaked from the FBIs office in Norfolk. The Colonial Parkway is a scenic, 23-mile stretch in Virginia that links the historic towns of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. "They took him and Sandra and they put his clothes back in the car, just tossed them. And got away with it. Logically, this is the most easily accessible place at Ragged Island for the two young victims to have reached the water. Finally, one of the most bizarre theories about the murders states that the killers identity was, in fact, a rogue CIA operative. To the FBI, he was a suspect; to the victims family, he was a patsy. Did The Colonial Parkway Victims Know The Killer? One long night turned into four long years for [Read More], Famous Rock Stars, TV Celebrities, Stone Cold Conmen, A Daring Rescue of Kidnapped Kids, And More! 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. For two decades, the crime-scene pictures have. The autopsy was inconclusive and could not determine whether a blade had slashed their throats or if they had been strangled to near decapitation. He became a well-known whistleblower, and thanks to his action, the FBI was put under the proverbial microscope. Young couple Julie Williams, 24, and Lollie Winans, 26, were camping in the park over Memorial Day weekend. Thomas also said Atwell made an interesting call to police following the alleged robbery he committed earlier this week. Both had been shot in the back of the head. Overlooking the beautiful York River, it is hard to imagine the drama that took place on or near the Colonial Parkway that night. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. Cassandra Hailey, a hard-working student at Christopher Newport, Cassandra juggled multiple jobs, gymnastic classes, and many friends. Someone has leaked graphic crime-scene photographs of the most notorious serial killings in Virginia history, the Colonial Parkway murders. Edwards had struggled with her mental health and was prone to running away and some reckless behavior. Atwell was arrested in connection with an alleged phony car raffle. 1. Theories Last month, Atwell was arrested in connection with an alleged phony car raffle, in which all of the proceeds were to go to "The Colonial Parkway Victims Fund." But he says he says the FBI did take this breach seriously, even if they didn't take action until a few days ago. Things seemed to return to normal until September 22, 1987, when the bodies of another young couple were found along the bank of the James River in Virginia. 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. The pair is thought to have been murdered, though there's no way we can say that for sure since their bodies, as Colonial Ghosts notes, have never been found. This car, along with their mangled bodies, found at the Cheatham Annex Overlook in Williamsburg, Virginia, had been doused in diesel fuel. A typically tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be the setting for a gruesome string of murders. They were committed between 1986-1989. Edwards family members, meanwhile, grieved the lost opportunity to know the woman the teenager was becoming. The drivers side window was partially rolled down causing police to believe that the perpetrator had possibly been posing as or was some sort of uniformed officer. Sure, you know all about Ted Bundy, The Zodiac Killer, and The Golden State Killer. Yet no one has come forward and said they saw them. State police and local agencies are investigating the murders of Knobling, Edwards, Lauer, and Phelps. According to Oxygen, the Colonial Parkway killer changed things up from victim to victim. Daniels plan was to move in with his brother Clinton and Clintons girlfriend, Annamaria Phelps. For the third time in recent years, Atwell has cast a spotlight on the Colonial Parkway murders - albeit not in a manner in which the victims families are very happy about. The only couples that had anything in common seemed to be the first pair and the (potentially connected) final couple, Lollie Winans and Julianne Williams, both of which Historic Mysteries says were lesbian couples, but the others were perceived to be straight couples. It's unexpected. A bright and driven young woman from upstate New York. They're no longer there.". So, who were the Colonial Parkway murder victims? In 2009, Atwell was considered something of a hero when he discovered a number of crime scene photographs regarding the Colonial Parkway homicides had been inappropriately taken from the FBI's Norfolk office. Robert Kalfus. The crimes were thoroughly covered as much as is known and each victim became a flesh-and-blood person with much to live for. Annamaria Phelps, 18, and Daniel Lauer, 21, were not a romantic couple. Annamaria and her boyfriends brother Daniel Lauer came back home for a short visit and so that Daniel could pack to move in with them. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. There are few access points to the park, especially after hours. This week Nic from the @TrueCrimeGarage podcast joins Bill and me for a roundtable discussion about the Colonial Parkway Murders. According to the FBI, there are about 1400 murders that remain unsolved.. Joyce Call's brother was one of the victims. There were little signs of struggle. Though this case has appeared in the media several times over the past 30+ years, it's still as mysterious as it is unique. As the agent at the beginning of this diabolical coverage said: What made these murders stand out was the complexity of them.. This question of serial killer or coincidence is explored in Oxygens new limited series. According to the Daily Press, Spingola was hired by Annamaria Phelps' family to look into the girl's murder. It seems that the CSIs should be able to get touch DNA from articles of clothing, rope and other items the killer may have had contact with. All of the victims were young, White, and were either a romantic couple or could resemble one to. There were only two things the Colonial Parkway murder victims had in common: They were killed near Colonial Parkway, and they were killed in couples. His brother and several others saw it shortly after their disappearance and Keiths father found it the following morning as well. From pull-offs featuring lush foliage, to memorials, tunnels, and bridges charged with centuries of American history, there's a little something for everyone. Naval Academy in 1981, as part of its second class to admit women. This crime scene photo shows Robin Edwards shoe that she had doodled on, laying on the floor of Davids truck. On October 12, 1986, a jogger found Cathy Thomas's white Honda Civic pushed down an embankment just off of the Colonial Parkway and called the police. Her brother's car is in a crime-scene photo never meant to be public. None of these murders have been solved, and the photographs are out in the public. Cathy in the US Navy one of the first females to serve as Surface Warfare Officers. Carmillo "Carmine" Galante was nicknamed "Lilo," Italian slang . I was acutally born at old Riverside Hospital in Newport News. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. "We're just trying to get through this and let the police finish their investigation. "This would indicate someone approached the vehicle and was likely thought to be a police officer," she said. NY's First Known Female Serial Killer. UK - Nurse Lucy Letby, Faces 22 Charges - 7 Murder/15 Attempted Murder of Babies #19, Madeleine McCann: German Prisoner Identified as Suspect, #33, http://labyrinth13.com/mirror/VirginiaMurders/index.htm, http://journalismclass.wmblogs.net/2009/04/19/the-colonial-parkway-murders-cold-case/, http://journalismclass.wmblogs.net/2009/05/19/the-colonial-parkway-murders%E2%80%94not-dead-yet/, http://www.geocities.com/misjoy464/colonialparkwaymurders.html, http://www.mcall.com/topic/dp-pway-16_psychologist_062292,0,7570108.story, http://www.dailypress.com/news/virginia/dp-va--parkwayslayings1009oct09,0,4042814.story, http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_parkway_1010oct10,0,6674314.story?track=rss, http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/c/call_richard.html, http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-colonial-update,0,66658.story, http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-colonial-parkway-family-meeting,0,75217.story. For more on the Colonial Parkway murders, watch Oxygens new limited series Lovers Lane Murders, airing Thursday, February 11 and Friday, February 12 at 9/8c and 10/9c. The probable tragedy struck after the party. Most serial killers use the same methods each time. A bright young man studying computer science at Christopher Newport. His investigation came to the startling conclusion that the murders were committed by multiple assailants and arent tied together. Authorities discovered Cathleen and Rebecca on Columbus Day weekend, 1986, inside a white 1980 Honda Civic. Full Description. This contemporary photograph shows part of the boardwalk from the Ragged Island parking area to the beach area near where the bodies of David and Robin were found. ", "He wanted authority and probably did not have it," she said. On Memorial Day weekend 1989, Daniel Lauer, 21, was driving to his brothers house in Virginia Beach with his brothers girlfriend, Annamaria Phelps, 18. FBI photograph of David Knoblings truck. The FBI, working in unison with the regions law enforcement, had a victim criteria in their arsenal. Three pairs of victims were recovered, and another couple remains missing and presumed murdered. "He would spin the most elaborate tales you've ever heard," he said. The evidence of the crime was kept intact by a fluke of fate when the diesel failed to ignite. There's less of a chance that a single victim will get away or fight back. It's hard to say for certain, but one detective believed they figured out the cause back in 2010. Last year, criminal profiler Pat Brown shared her own theory with AOL News -- a theory that centers on the fact that in some of the cases, the victims' driver's window had been rolled down. Some don't believe this pair can be counted in the Colonial Parkway murders because we don't know what happened to the victims, whereas others believe the case bears a convincing resemblance to the others. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! I am from this area born and raised. Detective Steve Spingola was asked to investigate the Colonial Parkway Murders as a private investigator. So much time has passed the families have just about given up hope for any resolution. I can tell you that we recovered all the copies from the folks that we've contacted that had them. 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. FBI aerial photograph of the pull-over spot where Keith Calls car was found the day after their date. The killer(s) drove Daniel and Annamaria back here in the darkness, killing them and covering their bodies in an electric blanket. None had been robbed or sexually molested, stumping investigators as to what the possible motive that galvanized the murders might have been. I was pleased that the victims were truly brought to life and we were able to learn more about them very well done! Author Tiddy Smith Explores Owl Theory and North Carolinas Infamous Staircase Murder in DEATH BY TALONS: Did An Owl Murder Kathleen Peterson? When did it happen, and whos the culprit? But Atwell died behind bars before his involvement in the killings could be confirmed. 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. Wallace preyed on lower economic class Black women between 17 and 35 years old. The keys were still in the ignition, the door was open, and the windshield wipers were going. The second pair of victims, David Knobling and Robin Edwards, had just met before heading out to a local makeout spot, where they were attacked, according to NBC. Someone has leaked graphic crime-scene photographs of the most notorious serial killings in Virginia history, the Colonial Parkway murders. The 22-mile-long stretch running between Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, Virginia, known as Colonial Parkway, is one such road. The other two happened in the mid-'90s, and their connection to the originals remains a highly debated topic. As of 2017, our research estimates that over 2000 serial killers are still at large and active in the United States. Then we'll pick up and move on.". That October, a hunter came upon the couple's skeletal remains less than a mile from the rest area. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. David Knobling and Robin Edward "To me, this is the work of a serial killer. Julia Williams, 24, and Lollie Winans, 26, displayed a wealth of similarities to the Parkway case. The sightseeing is prime. Bushwick July 12, 1979. Where most serial killers murder a single victim at a time, the Colonial Parkway murderer killed two for the price of one. Despite extensive searches, their bodies were never found, and the couple was presumed dead. Why? After Atwell spoke to NewsChannel 3, we called the FBI. Atwell says they asked for his copies, and seized photographs from the school, too. Hope there is resolution. Annamarias purse was found inside the car, once more ruling our robbery as a motive. On the evening of Oct. 9, 1986, Thomas and Dowski had been hanging out with two friends at a computer lab when they left to spend some time together. Send that DNA to Parabon and get this case solved so the families can have some peace. Knoblings father and the local constabulary spearheaded the manhunt. Brian Hanlon supervises the Peninsula FBI office. Murderers tend to target solo victims. In total, 4 pairs of people were targeted, resulting in eight murders and six bodies found. Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski From 1986 to 1989 at least 8 people were murdered along the Colonial Parkway in Virginia and their killer was never caught. A typically tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be the setting for a gruesome string of murders. Four double homicides occurred on or near the Colonial Parkway in Virginia during the 1980s. All the victims were killed with different methods (stabbing, strangulation, gunshot wound). On Wednesday, police in Gwinnett County, Ga., arrested 62-year-old Fred Atwell. Over the years, many theories have surfaced regarding the person or persons responsible. 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. But this road flips from a gorgeous sun-lit drive to a haunting trek when the night falls, and it's in part because of the troubled past hidden among this road's lanes. FBI photograph of the smashed back window of Cathy Thomass Honda Civic. It was scary time back in the eighties!! The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. The murders of all four couples occurred within a 30-mile radius, at night, on weekends or holidays, in areas that resemble lover's lanes, in cars, and in all instances, there were two victims. The Colonial Parkway Murders have been viewed as the work of a serial killer by many investigators. Cathy Thomas at the Naval Academy Cathy Thomas in civilian life In the center of the image is Danny Plott, standing next to Dr. Marcella Fierro of the Virginia State Medical Examiners office. 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. She had moved to Virginia Beach with her boyfriend, Clinton Lauer and was struggling to get by but living the American dream. For more than 20 years, the Colonial Parkway Serial Killer has kept his secrets. Hanlon says he can't speculate how the leaked evidence might affect a prosecution because there's never been anyone to prosecute. "If he does, I hope he comes forward with that information soon.". His targets, young girls who he kidnapped, raped, and left their remains along busy roadways in plain view. He said they wanted $20,000 to reveal the locations where Keith and Cassandra's bodies could be found. I would like to know how they got their hands on the pictures.". This unwholesome section is grisly and malignant Youve been warned. National Park Service . Unfortunate couple #3 was Cassandra Lee Hailey and Richard Keith Call. Rebeccas body was found in the backseat of the car, while Cathys was found stuffed into the hatchback. A typically tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be the setting for a gruesome string of murders. Theres no hint of the horror that took place herefrom the brutal murders to the attempts to burn then submerge her car. How they got out is now the core of an FBI investigation, and source of disgust for the families who lost loved ones. This book has been very informative and I learned things that were not covered by the documentary. This question of serial killer or coincidence is explored in Oxygens new limited series, Lovers Lane Murders, airing Thursday, February 11, and Friday, February 12 at 9/8c and 10/9c. What were the Colonial Parkway Murders? There has to be a degree of self-sabotage from a serial killer for an investigation to pan out. Over the years, police have questioned 150 suspects in connection to these four cases, but all have been cleared. We're a little less trusting," Phelps said. These crime scene photographs show the area where the remains of David Knobling and Robin Edwards were found three days after their disappearance. He knew most of his victims, some through his job at Taco Bell, [Read More], On February 13, 2017, two Indiana teenagers, Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, went for a walk in the woods near the abandoned Monon High Bridge. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Someone has leaked graphic crime-scene photographs of the most notorious serial killings in Virginia history, the Colonial Parkway murders. Richard Keith Call Keith to his friends and family. "Well, we looked into it. FYI, this happened in Virginia, not Pennsylvania. They unloaded their belongings alongside the other stacks labeled, AMERICA, MINNESOTA, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN, NEW YORK CITY, CHICAGO [More], It was not enough to suggest that Kathleen began to bleed outside. Thank you for writing this book. All three cities are historic for various reasons, with Jamestown being the location of the original Virginia colony, which was founded along the James River. It's possible they just hadn't found the right fit for acting out on their illness, or that the killer was growing, evolving, branching out their system to better sate dark desires and lessen the possibility of being caught. The Colonial Parkway Murders - Revisiting The Crime Scenes Mobile Instinct 373K subscribers Subscribe 265K views 1 year ago Virginia's beautiful Colonial Parkway has a dark history of. He was shy at first, but once you got to know him he opened up, he said. I'd say the killer died, moved onto a new place or went to jail since I don't think there have been any similar cases in 20 years. Despite theories that the crimes may not be connected, many still believe that the Colonial Parkway murders were the work of a serial killer. Nonetheless, inconclusive MRI scans appear to show that at least one of the bodies might have suffered knife wounds. For at least a year, and maybe for many years, these pictures have circulated among civilians. Just like those 1400 unsolved murders, Hargrove conducted his studies on, theres a huge likelihood that the Colonial Parkway Murders will remain a cold case and that the devil behind it will never be brought to justice just like Jack The Ripper Just like the Zodiac Killer Just like the Alphabet Killer The Barnaul Maniac Charlie Chop-off and the 85 other serial killers. On September 5th they were reported missing when their car was found abandoned at the New Kent rest stop on I-64.
the colonial parkway murders leaked