Murderers tend to target solo victims. The Colonial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway which cuts through the Colonial National Historical Park in South-East Virginia. The second Annamaria and Daniel were reported missing, the red-flags went up, and the district devolved into a panic. "If he does, I hope he comes forward with that information soon.". His brother and several others saw it shortly after their disappearance and Keiths father found it the following morning as well. Its still unclear what David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were doing together the night of their murders in 1987. FBI photograph of the smashed back window of Cathy Thomass Honda Civic. Since then, 62-year-old Fred had numerous encounters with the law, including a larceny charge; 100 dollars. Join our newsletter for awesome content, free offers and launch notifications! Your email address will not be published. Though this case has appeared in the media several times over the past 30+ years, it's still as mysterious as it is unique. It is a pageantry of American history embroiled in dozens of tunnels and bridges that are incredibly charming and visually impacting. This question of serial killer or coincidence is explored in Oxygens new limited series. Call's Toyota Celica was found off Colonial Parkway at the York River Overlook the next morning, but there were no bodies in it and no obvious signs of death. The refuge still has a reputation for being a place for a romantic spot and drug deals. Knoblings father and the local constabulary spearheaded the manhunt. From 1986 to 1989, four couples were either shot or slashed on the Parkway or and in other secluded spots. FBI photo of Ragged Island. 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 Murdersthe name given eight murders that took place in the Tidewater [Read More], True crime author, Burl Barer, has always possessed that all-important knack for seeking out hidden truth and finding it. The 22-mile-long stretch running between Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, Virginia, known as Colonial Parkway, is one such road. I was very concerned because the only reason IMO that the couples would be taken by surprise like they were and seemed abducted so easily, if it were a cop or someone pretending to be a cop. Why are they still a hot button topic? The Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile (37km) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links Virginia's Historic Triangle. Atwell says a friend of his, a security-company owner, asked him last year to teach a class about the killings. This recent image shows the only marker at Ragged Island, a gunshot sign. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. FYI, this happened in Virginia, not Pennsylvania. The real question that lingerswere Keith and Cassandra ever on the Colonial Parkway that night, or was Keiths car simply staged and abandoned there? The Colonial Parkway is a historic and scenic road that links together the three points of Virginia's Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. That means he's in charge of the Colonial Parkway cases. Edwards had struggled with her mental health and was prone to running away and some reckless behavior. This book has been very informative and I learned things that were not covered by the documentary. Most serial killers use the same methods each time. 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. There was nobody she wasnt going to be a friend too [] She was very generous with everything, Joanne Hailey, her mother, told Lovers Lane Murders.. Noah against Alex for accusing him of leaking the nudes (defamation of character, would lose his MLB contract) or Alex because he actually leaked them. "We're a little less likely to accept outside help. Their bodies were found by hunters that came across the bodies weeks after they disappeared. A bright and driven young woman from upstate New York. You are using an out of date browser. From pull-offs featuring lush foliage, to memorials, tunnels, and bridges charged with centuries of American history, there's a little something for everyone. The differences in killing methods is something that is often pointed at, as Cathy and Rebecca were strangled and then had their throats slit, David and Robin were shot, and Annamaria and Daniel were presumably stabbed. Just like the other three cases, the case eventually went cold, and the killer was never brought to justice. As of 2017, our research estimates that over 2000 serial killers are still at large and active in the United States. He did it again with a Toyota, and one final time at a rest area with a Chevy Nova. Ready to uncover the truth behind Hollywood's elite? Their bodies uncovered in Virginias Shenandoah National Park. 2 years ago Lovers Lane Murders Covers Infamous Colonial Parkway Murders on Oxygen Network , Feb 12-13 At long last, the Lover's Lane Murders TV series covering the Colonial Parkway Murders is coming to the Oxygen Network February 12-13. Cassandra Hailey every bit the girl next door 1980s style. In the beginning, the support was appreciated but over time, Atwell began acting strange, according to Thomas. Call loved going to the beach and was especially fond of his car. A Virginia State Police photograph showing the isolated logging trail from the air when the bodies were discovered. Then we'll pick up and move on.". 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. For two decades, the crime-scene pictures have been secret, critical evidence in the hunt for a serial murderer. They were never seen again after that night. What the investigators uncovered was a horrid tableau of deprivation. Theories His brother's girlfriend was the second half of the murdered pair. The killer(s) drove Daniel and Annamaria back here in the darkness, killing them and covering their bodies in an electric blanket. Robin Edwards, a spitfire youngster who was more mature than her physical years. Other than that, it seems the victims didn't have much in common at all. This crime scene photo shows Robin Edwards shoe that she had doodled on, laying on the floor of Davids truck. These contemporary photographs show the parking area where Keiths car was discovered. "I took them to the FBI and the state police, and nobody has done nothing.". 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. On September 20, 1987, Knoblings truck was found abandoned by the James River Bridge, Richmond.com reported. For more than 20 years, the Colonial Parkway Serial Killer has kept his secrets. Whatever the details, you're enjoying alone time, thinking this night is as delightful as any date can be, when a third, uninvited individual shows up and turns your romantic date into a horror show. Everybody loves the scenic views of a beautiful road. Their throats had been viciously slashed and they had been strangled to death. One of the last photos of Cathy Thomas with her friend Deb Hill. 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. Atwell's discovery of the 84 graphic photographs brought a lot of much-needed media attention back to the unsolved homicides. Atwell reportedly took less than $100 and told the victim he had been living in the woods and was hungry. All the victims were from different backgrounds and demographics, making a profile an incredibly difficult task. I was pleased that the victims were truly brought to life and we were able to learn more about them very well done! It's hard to say for certain, but one detective believed they figured out the cause back in 2010. Annamaria Phelps locket as found on the logging trail. While the FBI and the Virginia State Police looked into the Colonial Parkway cases, the families of the victims joined together to support each other and conduct their own investigation into the cases. According to Historic Mysteries, this killer targeted couples. 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. -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. They had both been shot in the head, execution-style. Due to the shared location and other similarities, some suspect the killings are the work of a possible serial killer. Cathy in the US Navy one of the first females to serve as Surface Warfare Officers. They had been stabbed to death. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The vision behind the Murder Accountability Project. National Park Service . 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. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. 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. However, the young couple was struggling financially, so Lauer had agreed to move in with them to help them out with money. At least eight people along the Colonial Parkway were killed in this three-year span. Website design by Denver Local SEO Marketing CompanyA SPECIAL KIND OF EVIL Photo Gallery. Almost immediately, the FBI announced it was conducting a top-to-bottom review of the cases in its jurisdiction. 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. Overlooking the beautiful York River, it is hard to imagine the drama that took place on or near the Colonial Parkway that night. 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. Daniel Lauer was from Amelia County, Virginia. 2023 Copyright Colonial Ghosts. Becky Dowski near the time of her murder. 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. To truly understand what happened, we need to embrace and dissect some of the more vivid, abhorrent, and gruesome aspects of the case. How they got out is now the core of an FBI investigation, and source of disgust for the families who lost loved ones. It was left with the door open, the keys turned to accessories, and the radio on. 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! In Spingolas eyes, there was no serial killer. David Knobling at Christmas in 1986, a few month prior to his death. A small caveat before we spring forth into the latest horror room, the third couples link to the Parkway Murders is somewhat debatable. Interest in the two-decade-old puzzle of the Colonial Parkway murders had pretty much fizzled out when the photos were uncovered. From 1986 to 1989 at least 8 people were murdered along the Colonial Parkway in Virginia and their killer was never caught. I have to wonder if they were all committed by the same person. Wallace preyed on lower economic class Black women between 17 and 35 years old. She had been strangled with a [Read More], A father, his daughter, and a brave young girl thwarted criminals whose escalating hidden demons led them to bolder and more risky acts of violence in Margery Metzger's Debut True Crime. Cassandra Lee Hailey, 18, and Richard Keith Call, 20, dropped off the face of the Earth on that Spring evening. The pair went on a date, seeing a movie and attending a party, on April 9, 1988. The Virginia State Police did a casual investigation, during the panic galvanized by the murders, of Camp Peary and its soldiers. A typically tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be the setting for a gruesome string of murders. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. All of thatmeans the Colonial Parkway killer had their work cut out for them, since they're believed to have killed, as Colonial Ghosts points out, between four and five couples. In total, 4 pairs of people were targeted, resulting in eight murders and six bodies found. A typically tranquil area, no one expected the Parkway to be the setting for a gruesome string of murders. You cant exactly finger a suspect and develop a viable culprit on car displacement and fascination with couples. "They were people and they were loved. The car . The last few years have not been kind to Janzen Robinson. 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. The Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile (37km) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links Virginias Historic Triangle. We really felt he was on our side and then found out he was not," Jennifer Phelps, sister-in-law of Annamaria Phelps, told The Huffington Post. Spingola believes that the two sets of murders were hate crimes committed by the same perpetrator. His targets, young girls who he kidnapped, raped, and left their remains along busy roadways in plain view. And got away with it. 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. For instance, Thomas and Dowski's murder was a hate crime, while the murder of Knobling and Edwards was a robbery that took an unfortunate turn. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. One of the many scenic overpasses on the Colonial Parkway as it appears now. Thomas Hargrove, researcher, and archivist. Did The Colonial Parkway Victims Know The Killer? Robert Kalfus. 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. You know, all his belongings.". Rather, they were the work of multiple killers who coincidentally picked couples in the same area. Dowski worked as a daycare provider and a clerk. I was in disbelief for a while. Are you sick of watching and reading about the same killers and crimes? A crime scene photograph of some of the investigator at the recovery site. About a year and a half later, two more young people went missing near the Colonial Parkway. One long night turned into four long years for [More], Available Now About the Book In the spring of 1853, a family of eight drove their wagon to the wharf in Bergen, Norway. The back seat of Daniels car, filled with his hastily packed personal belongings for his move to the beach. Hailey, meanwhile, was a college freshman who modeled and taught gymnastics, according to the outlet. Let's check it out. The view north on the Colonial Parkway as it appears today, looking north from the pull-off where Cathy Thomas and Becky Thomas were discovered. Show Who Killed. These crime scene photographs show the area where the remains of David Knobling and Robin Edwards were found three days after their disappearance. JavaScript is disabled. Logically, this is the most easily accessible place at Ragged Island for the two young victims to have reached the water. And he would find it. The Untold Truth Of The Colonial Parkway Murders, Predators on the Parkway: A Former Homicide Detective Explores the Colonial Parkway Murders. Joyce Call's brother was one of the victims. Imagine, if you will, sitting in your car, catching your breath after a candle-lit date with your favorite sweetie. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Atwell was arrested in connection with an alleged phony car raffle. The following day, Call's vehicle was found abandoned at the York River Overlook on the Colonial Parkway. It was the young couples very first date. This crime scene photo shows tent erected over their remains as investigators work in the rain to recover every clue. Here's a link to an April 19, 2009 article about criminologist Larry McCann researching these violent crimes. Further, not all experts believe these final victims were connected to others, due to timing and other factors. Their families were devastated and shocked. Just after Labor Day weekend 1989, Annamaria Phelps, 18, and Daniel Later, 21, vanished while en route to Virginia Beach. I live in Norfolk now but I still am scared to travel that stretch of road, especially where the couple's car was found at the rest stop going in the other direction in which they were headed. Less than two years later, Annamarie Phelps, 18, and a friend of Phelps' boyfriend, 21-year-old Daniel Lauer, disappeared over Labor Day weekend in 1989. For the first time in years, the family of one of the victims in the Colonial Parkway serial murders is meeting with the FBI. Brown also said the perpetrator could be involved in law enforcement or, more likely, "wished he were. There was no evidence of sexual assault. The Colonial Parkway is a scenic, 23-mile stretch in Virginia that links the historic towns of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. It's unexpected. None had been robbed or sexually molested, stumping investigators as to what the possible motive that galvanized the murders might have been. Nonetheless, inconclusive MRI scans appear to show that at least one of the bodies might have suffered knife wounds. Of course, these are Spingola's musings, and they have yet to be proven. The car was found on the westbound side of the highway, the opposite direction of their destination, which confused police. Listen to Nic Edwards Chilling Account of THE DELPHI MURDERS with the Audiobook Narrated by Kevin Pierce, Meet Internationally Renowned True Crime Author Ron Chepesiuk, Meet Author Nic Edwards, Acclaimed Podcast Host of True Crime Garage. 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. The photographs were being used as a training tool for a security company, and a number of the images had been leaked to the media. Both victims had been shot, Robin in the back of the head execution style, and David twice, once in the head and once in the shoulder like he had been running from the killer. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. ?, Ep The Colonial Parkway Murders: Part Two - Sep 5, 2019 "This would indicate someone approached the vehicle and was likely thought to be a police officer," she said. Some aspects of the killings fly in the face of the patterns of other serial killers, and some of the facts don't quite add up. He said they wanted $20,000 to reveal the locations where Keith and Cassandra's bodies could be found. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. I lived within 30 miles from the Chesapeake Bay where some of the bodies were found. "I was floored. -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. Someone has leaked graphic crime-scene photographs of the most notorious serial killings in Virginia history, the Colonial Parkway murders. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. All of the victims were young, White, and were either a romantic couple or could resemble one to. 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. Finally, there was no evidence of sexual assault pre or post mortem; the pair were fully clothed and sexually intact. 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. The former was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the latter a senior of Willam & Mary College. After Atwell spoke to NewsChannel 3, we called the FBI. But the FBI isn't giving up, and is now using new science to search for an old killer. 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. 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. Tragic, but important story and one not heard of before ( west coast reader). The probable tragedy struck after the party. According to the Daily Press, Spingola was hired by Annamaria Phelps' family to look into the girl's murder. [1] In each incident, a young couple sitting in a vehicle was targeted and both were killed. Its isolation and lack of patrols by the NPS made it a perfect place for murder or to dispose of a vehicle/bodies. Or could it be that four separate criminals were executing young people in the area? Months later, they were found murdered, wrapped in a blanket in the woods. Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski They had met at an arcade earlier that day, and Robin had snuck out later that night to meet up with David. David Knobling during his time at the Frederick Military Academy. All rights reserved. "We're still trying to deal with it. It was not enough to point to prior owl attacks on humans. ?, Ep The Colonial Parkway Murders: Part Three - Sep 12, 2019 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. 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. Brian Hanlon supervises the Peninsula FBI office. Daniels Chevy Nova. The National Park Service Rangers thought the two women might be injured as a result of an accident. Detective Steve Spingola was asked to investigate the Colonial Parkway Murders as a private investigator. A critical future was the way the perpetrator might have approached them. There has to be a degree of self-sabotage from a serial killer for an investigation to pan out.

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