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. This recent image shows the only marker at Ragged Island, a gunshot sign. Keith Call's brother Chris is upset. The vehicle should have been in the east bound rest area, but was found in the west bound area where the killer(s) had left it. 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." In 2018, 12 years after the Shenandoah murders, DNA studies including hair and biological samples potentially linked the two cases. They also ruled out robbery as a motive, since both womens purses were still there, and no money or jewelry had been taken. We have heard that Fred Atwell, the whisteblower in the Colonial Parkway Murders FBI photo leak scandal, died December 16, 2018 in a prison hospital. About The Book On January 7, 1994, residents of Berkshire [Read More], True crime author, Burl Barer, has always possessed that all-important knack for seeking out hidden truth and finding it. Thomas said he is left wondering why Atwell has had such a strong interest in the case. Was The Colonial Parkway Killer Pretending To Be Law Enforcement? Dowski was younger and still a student at the College of William and Mary. In LOU AND JONBENT, Author John Wesley Anderson Reveals the Inside Story of the Failed Police Investigation Into the Kidnapping and Murder of JonBent Ramsey, HIDDEN DEMONS: Evil Visits A Small New England Town, Robert Dodge Combines Biographies of a Norwegian Family and Immigrant Experience from the Mid-19th Century through WWII in FIELDS OF FORTUNE, Janzen Robinson Tackles a New Kind of Threat in DAWN OF LEGACY: The Monsters and Men Trilogy, Book Three, Author Blog by Nic Edwards: The Porchlight Project Helps Identify Erie County Jane Doe after 43 Years, Introducing the highly-anticipated audiobook LOU AND JONBENT, narrated by the renowned Stephen Bowlby, Early Release! FBI photograph of Cathys car, barely visible having been pushed off the embankment. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. Once more, there were no signs of sexual assault or robbery. It was not enough to point to prior owl attacks on humans. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. Rebeccas body was found in the backseat of the car, while Cathys was found stuffed into the hatchback. David never left his car unlockedand with the rain that night, a rendezvous in the marshlands seems unlikely. Keiths red Toyota. The only evidence of any wrongdoing was the discovery of Calls red Toyota Celica, unoccupied at the York River Overlook. Here's a link to an April 19, 2009 article about criminologist Larry McCann researching these violent crimes. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. The killers were there for a while, soaking the interior of the vehicle with diesel, trying to light it, then pushing the car over the embankment. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. It is a pageantry of American history embroiled in dozens of tunnels and bridges that are incredibly charming and visually impacting. Almost all of the clothing Cassandra and Richard had been wearing was found inside the car, along with Richards wallet and Cassandras purse, again ruling out robbery as a motive. If that was who was pertrating these crimes. For the first time in years, the family of one of the victims in the Colonial Parkway serial murders is meeting with the FBI. Your email address will not be published. Hope there is resolution. His brother's girlfriend was the second half of the murdered pair. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If they are smart enough not to get caught, theres very little we can do.. And he would find it. The first pair of victims, Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski, were a romantic couple who were last seen alive going out to dinner in 1986, as Oxygen points out. 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. Its still unclear what David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were doing together the night of their murders in 1987. The National Park Service Rangers thought the two women might be injured as a result of an accident. THE COLONIAL PARKWAY MURDERS: A STEP BY STEP REPORT. I live near the peninsula and lived in Richmond, Virginia because my father lived in Norfolk, Virginia and my mother and stepfather lived in Richmond. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. Copyright 2022 Crime Museum, LLC - All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy |. A crime scene photograph of some of the investigator at the recovery site. For two decades, the crime-scene pictures have been secret, critical evidence in the hunt for a serial murderer. SECRETS OF A HOLLYWOOD PRIVATE EYE is your ultimate source for the juiciest stories, scandals, and [Read More], It was not enough to suggest that Kathleen began to bleed outside. Their trip home on Labor Day weekend was only for a fewhours. This unwholesome section is grisly and malignant Youve been warned. ?, Ep The Colonial Parkway Murders: Part Two - Sep 5, 2019 Thomas and Dowskis were a hate crime motivated by the couples lesbian relationship. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. The other two happened in the mid-'90s, and their connection to the originals remains a highly debated topic. Dogs traced their scents to the river, but soon lost it. Show Who Killed. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Over 30 years later they remain unsolved. For more than 20 years, the Colonial Parkway Serial Killer has kept his secrets. Atwell reportedly took less than $100 and told the victim he had been living in the woods and was hungry. They had both been shot in the head, execution-style. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. "He called [a] suicide hotline and said that he is suicidal, a suspect in a serial murder [investigation] and wanted to commit suicide by cop," Thomas said. All of these factors are critical to understanding the mystique that the murders still hold over the national narrative. I lived within 30 miles from the Chesapeake Bay where some of the bodies were found. -from DEATH BY TALONS by Tiddy Smith On December 9, 2001, Kathleen [Read More], On Christmas Night 1996, six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in her family's home in Boulder, Colorado. Annamarias purse was found inside the car, once more ruling our robbery as a motive. Annamaria Phelps locket as found on the logging trail. During this time, Atwell became a constant figure among them. The Colonial Parkway is a historic and scenic road that links together the three points of Virginia's Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. 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. Each pair was romantically involved in some way, a couple the killer likely saw as a lustful duo. 2023 Copyright Colonial Ghosts. However, the young couple was struggling financially, so Lauer had agreed to move in with them to help them out with money. In 2018, the Facebook page Colonial Parkway Murders, which is run by Cathys brother Bill Thomas, revealed that DNA had been found at 3 of the 4 crime scenes which could potentially conclusively link the cases and lead to an arrest. But he says he says the FBI did take this breach seriously, even if they didn't take action until a few days ago. If you like true crime, take a look at 10 of the most gruesome murders the state of New York has ever seen-some may date all the way back to the 1800s, but all of them are horrible. Larry needed a smoking gun. 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. It's been over 30 years, and they're still missing without much of a trace. At Ragged Island (as it appears today) this is the end of the roadway leading from the parking lot to the rivers edge. He became a well-known whistleblower, and thanks to his action, the FBI was put under the proverbial microscope. But the murders have all remained unsolved. 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. 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. 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. Why would this killer switch things up? Atwell agreed to take a look - and he made copies. Edwards had struggled with her mental health and was prone to running away and some reckless behavior. Thomas Hargrove, researcher, and archivist. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! One of the last photos of Cathy Thomas with her friend Deb Hill. I'm just throwing this out there without research, but the isolated areas, where was Hilton at this time? 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. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! None of these murders have been solved, and the photographs are out in the public. Controversial Figure In Colonial Parkway Murders Arrested. Spingola believes that the two sets of murders were hate crimes committed by the same perpetrator. A number of people saw this on the parkway after the party, including his brother Chris. They show how the Colonial Parkway Killer stalked couples in cars, stabbed some and shot others, and then discarded their bodies. Other than that, it seems the victims didn't have much in common at all. While many of us felt that Atwell knew more about the case than he let on-- all of Fred's stories with mixed in with a healthy serving of BS-- we wish he could have told us, and law enforcement, more. Hailey, 19, and Call, 20, were both students at Christopher Newport University. They detail where the knives slashed and the bullets struck. They were never seen again after that night. I can only hope these murders, like other recent cases from decades back, can still be solved and the victims loved ones can get some answers (especially the Call and Hailey families, who dont even have the remains). And, as if that bit of info wasnt hair-raising enough, another independent study conducted by Dr. Mike Aamodt at Radford University actually confirmed Hargroves data and concluded that he might have lowballed the number. Some suspect the killings were the work of a possible serial killer, due to a shared location and other similarities. I feel like for my husband and my sister-in-laws sake well, really the whole family just wants to know what happened to their loved one, Jennifer Phelps, Annamaria Phelps sister-in-law, told Richmond.com. The 10 Scariest Serial Killers You Havent Heard Of, TANTAMOUNT Dives Into Washington DCs Oldest Unsolved Serial Killing Spree, A SPECIAL KIND OF EVIL Sheds Light On the Horrific Colonial Parkway Serial Killings, New From Burl Barer with Punch StanmirovicSTEALING MANHATTAN: The Untold Story of Americas Billion Dollar Gem Heist Masterminds, BAD HENRY: The Murderous Rampage of The Taco Bell Strangler by Ron Chepesiuk Offers Insights into the Psychology of a Killer and Sheds Light on Issues Related to Race and Policing, From True Crime experts, Nic Edwards and Brian Whitney comes THE DELPHI MURDERS: The Quest To Find The Man On The Bridge, PRECIOUS FEW CLUES: The True Crime Investigation Of Kansas Citys Precious Doe Murder, SECRETS OF A HOLLYWOOD PRIVATE EYE: A Rollicking No-Holds Barred Expose Of Tinsel Town by Fred Wolfson and Burl Barer. Several clothing items were found in the vehicle, as were the car keys. Of course, these are Spingola's musings, and they have yet to be proven. Hailey, meanwhile, was a college freshman who modeled and taught gymnastics, according to the outlet. As with everything in her life, her career as a stockbroker was a stunning success. According to Historic Mysteries, this killer targeted couples. 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. For the second time in a month, authorities in Virginia are investigating a former deputy sheriff who has ties to the Colonial Parkway murders -- a series of unsolved homicides that began in 1986 along the scenic 23-mile route between Jamestown and Yorktown -- in Virginia. Almost immediately, the FBI announced it was conducting a top-to-bottom review of the cases in its jurisdiction. 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. Brian Hanlon supervises the Peninsula FBI office. Both victims were students at Christopher Newport University, not quite of legal age to drink, who were out on their first-ever date. The murders had not happened on the Colonial Parkway, but police linked the cases due to the fact that both sets of victims were couples who had been killed at or around lovers lane areas, and the two locations were only about a 30-minute drive apart. On September 5, 1989, their car was found abandoned at an I-64 rest stop strangely, the rest stop was on the opposite route of their way back to Virginia Beach. The killer(s) drove Daniel and Annamaria back here in the darkness, killing them and covering their bodies in an electric blanket. Just after Labor Day weekend 1989, Annamaria Phelps, 18, and Daniel Later, 21, vanished while en route to Virginia Beach. Their bodies were so decomposed, investigators were unable to determine a cause of death. Overlooking the beautiful York River, it is hard to imagine the drama that took place on or near the Colonial Parkway that night. The police investigated exhaustively, but eventually the case went cold. Fred Atwell says this investigation into the leaked photos shouldn't be hard. He had some legal problems involving a marriage to an underage girl but was preparing to move on with his life. Mainly because no bodies have ever been uncovered. Larry needed a smoking gun. Virginia authorities found themselves in the middle of a second double homicide when the bodies of David Lee Knobling, 20, from Hampton, and Robin M. Edwards, a 14-year-old girl from Newport News, turned up in the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge the following fall. Cassandra Hailey and Richard Call Filed Under: A SPECIAL KIND OF EVIL, Blaine Pardoe, Blog, True Crime Tagged With: A SPECIAL KIND OF EVIL, best true crime books, Blaine Pardoe, Colonial Parkway, historical true crime, Serial Killer, serial killer books, serial murder, True Crime Authors, true crime book, true crimes, True-crime, truecrime, Victoria HesterJuly 9, 2017 By Ashley Butler 5 Comments, Excellent read. 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. All of the victims were young, white, and either a romantic couple or could resemble one to an outsider. The car was found on the westbound side of the highway, the opposite direction of their destination, which confused police. Ryan Noah Yawel Criminal Psychologist. 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. Their families were devastated and shocked. On September 20, 1987, Knoblings truck was found abandoned by the James River Bridge, Richmond.com reported. 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. Cassandra Hailey, a hard-working student at Christopher Newport, Cassandra juggled multiple jobs, gymnastic classes, and many friends. Sandy was unique. Three days later, their bodies washed up onto the beach at Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge. They called a highway patrolman who arrived on scene to make the gruesome discovery of the bodies of two young women in the car. Like everyone else who has seen the show THS I wish they would solve this. The Colonial Parkway Murders first victims were Cathy Thomas (L) and Rebecca Dowski (R). State police and local agencies are investigating the murders of Knobling, Edwards, Lauer, and Phelps. . Thomas also said Atwell made an interesting call to police following the alleged robbery he committed earlier this week. -from DEATH BY TALONS by Tiddy Smith On December 9, 2001, Kathleen [More], Henry Louis Wallace terrorized Charlotte, North Carolina, from May 1992 to March 1994. To the Call family, the FBI did not do enough to protect the families from this indignity, and protect the evidence of such terrible crimes. Following the kill, there's the question of cleanup one body is easier than two. Investigators do not yet know how much money, if any, Atwell pocketed from the raffle but they say he cashed a check for $270 that was supposed to go for Department of Motor Vehicle fees related to the nonexistent cars. The former was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the latter a senior of Willam & Mary College. THE PARKWAY MURDERS Oct. 12, 1986: Cathleen M. Thomas, 28, left, and Rebecca A. Dowski, 21, were found strangled with their throats slit in the back seat of Thomas' car along the Colonial. There's less of a chance that a single victim will get away or fight back. These crime scene photographs show the area where the remains of David Knobling and Robin Edwards were found three days after their disappearance. To change his mind, Atwell's friend told him he had crime-scene photos from the Parkway Murders. Someone has leaked graphic crime-scene photographs of the most notorious serial killings in Virginia history, the Colonial Parkway murders. There has to be a degree of self-sabotage from a serial killer for an investigation to pan out. 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. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. 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.

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