VA VA - The Colonial Parkway Murders, 1986-89

[billthom56]

Tulessa:

Thanks-- we have a number of major stories on the Colonial Parkway Murders running in the next few days which will provide a lot of additional detail.

If you want to learn more, check out the Wikipedia page. It is not perfect, but there are a lot of links that are quite good. Scroll down to the bottom for the latest.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonial_Parkway_Killer


Bill Thomas
Brother of Cathy Thomas
Los Angeles, CA

 

[adian_69]

I think all of the cases on http://parkway.crimeshadows.com/liberty.htm are connected, but Davis Knobling and Robin Edwards seem different to me, it's that window that was rolled half way down that bugs me, because it seems the only reason for them to roll the window down in the middle of a stormy, rainy night is to smoke (did either of them smoke at all?) or if they were pulled over and asked for an ID by some type of authority figure, or someone posing as one. The private detective (info can be found on link above) does fit the theory that they were stopped by an authority figure, and Brian Pettinger as well as Laurie Powell are connected by him.
As for the other cases, it seems sex and robbery weren't a motive, the person wanted to kill, reminds me of the zodiac killer. They pray on couples, I don't know if these are "hate crimes", I think it's more someone who loved to simply kill, a serial killer.
I want to continue researching this and other cases like it in the area.

I read about this, such a sad case.

I read about some rapes committed in Australia in the 80's and one of the victims (male) said that the rapist put his hands in the window and closed the window on them to restrain him.

Of course it could have been any number of things, but I never would have thought of aomething like that! It's interesting how criminals think. I'm sure it was something totally banal such as he rolled down the window to talk to the killer, but just putting out another idea.

Edit sorry, just made my way through the thread, I dont know much about the case. It does seem like it was someone posing as a police officer.

 

[STANDREID]

Edit sorry, just made my way through the thread, I dont know much about the case. It does seem like it was someone posing as a police officer.

Yes, interesting that this case (as far as I know) didn't make the national news while the murders were ongoing and several serial killers who murderered fewer people ( Jack the Stripper, Zodiac, Babysitter and Son of Sam) did.

 

[billthom56]

Good observations. The Colonial Parkway Murders were on the cover of the New York Daily News when my sister Cathy Thomas and her girlfriend Rebecca Dowski were killed in 1986, but is was mostly a regional story in Virginia and DC for many years. I think every newspaper and TV station in Virginia have covered the case, and most of the DC media.

The similarities to the Zodiac were something that the FBI explored, as well as looking at other "lovers lane" murders of couples around the country.

The latest story about the 30th anniversary of the Colonial Parkway Murders from the Daily Pilot in Newport News, Virginia is up; it will be in the print edition of the paper on Sunday, October 9. Many thanks to journalists Joanne Kimberlin and Bill Tiernan of the Daily Pilot and Pilot Online.

http://pilotonline.com/news/local/c...cle_a7918d4c-8305-54e2-a645-5da3ce8e2f6c.html

Thanks.



Bill Thomas
Brother of Cathleen Thomas
Los Angeles, CA

 

[adian_69]

Bill, sorry if this has been asked before, but I was unable to find the info online.

Do they have DNA from the scenes and if so is it all scenes or just some? Just wondering if Christine and Julie's murders have been linked to the others forensically.

From what I saw online, they were processing it, and the articles about it made me unsure if the dna was viable.

 

[billthom56]

Adian:

So far, here has been no forensic link between the Colonial Parkway Murders and the murder of Julie Williams and Lollie Winans in the Shenandoah National Park in 1996, or any other murder case. As a matter of fact, according to our most recent conversations with the FBI and Virginia State Police (face to face meetings in August and September 2016), there is no forensic link between any of the four double homicides in the Colonial Parkway Murders, either.

Thanks.


Bill Thomas
Brother of Cathleen Thomas
Los Angeles, CA

 

[billthom56]

Here is a beautiful multipart story on the Colonial Parkway Murders. Thanks to journalists Mike Holtzclaw and Amanda Williams of the Daily Press for all the time and dedication they put in to tell the stories of the victims & the families of the Colonial Parkway Murders. The team of Daily Press photographers including Jonathan Gruenke, Joe Fudge and Aileen Devlin and many others did an amazing job to accompany the text.

http://digital.dailypress.com/static/parkway_main/Main/index.html

Our thanks to all.


Bill Thomas
Brother of Cathy Thomas
Los Angeles, CA

 

[adian_69]

Adian:

So far, here has been no forensic link between the Colonial Parkway Murders and the murder of Julie Williams and Lollie Winans in the Shenandoah National Park in 1996, or any other murder case. As a matter of fact, according to our most recent conversations with the FBI and Virginia State Police (face to face meetings in August and September 2016), there is no forensic link between any of the four double homicides in the Colonial Parkway Murders, either.

Thanks.


Bill Thomas
Brother of Cathleen Thomas
Los Angeles, CA

Hi Bill,

That's very interesting, thank you!

Is that because there is no DNA to compare, or is it because the DNA doesn't match? Maybe you arent able to tell us, please let me know if you arent, I will respect your privacy.

Wow, if so, that is really interesting. 4 seperate murders with similar features, but no DNA linkage. That seems very strange!

Again, thank you and I hope your sisters murderer is brought to justice soon.

 

[billthom56]

Hi Bill,

That's very interesting, thank you!

Is that because there is no DNA to compare, or is it because the DNA doesn't match? Maybe you arent able to tell us, please let me know if you arent, I will respect your privacy.

Wow, if so, that is really interesting. 4 seperate murders with similar features, but no DNA linkage. That seems very strange!

Again, thank you and I hope your sisters murderer is brought to justice soon.

Adian:

Let's just say 'no comment' for now.

Thanks.



Bill Thomas
Brother of Cathy Thomas
Los Angeles, CA

 

[Tulessa]

Adian:

Let's just say 'no comment' for now.

Thanks.



Bill Thomas
Brother of Cathy Thomas
Los Angeles, CA

You truly are an inspiration. You work so hard on social media, not just for Cathy, but for all the missing. My hat is off to you.

 

[STANDREID]

According to reports, there was hair clutched in one victim's hand so there would be (since it was pulled out by the roots) DNA there for sure but that's only that single attack as far as I know.

 

[billthom56]

Here is another story on the 30th anniversary of the Colonial Parkway Murders; this is from the Richmond Times Dispatch. Writer Frank Green and photograppher/videographer Alexa Welch Edlund did an outstanding job.

http://www.richmond.com/news/article_950af143-4d1c-5a48-87d9-ae7f968f1143.html

Many thanks to all.


Bill Thomas
Brother of Cathleen Thomas
Los Angeles, CA

 

[kemo]

I've spent a little time getting up to speed on this case. Two things really caught my eye:
1) although there are significant differences between the 4 cases and quite a bit of time between them but there were rather unusual elements the cases had in common. These were all classic "lovers lane" killings were couples were targeted in their cars at lonely spots. There was no indication of sexual assault and a serious effort was made to " disappear" all of the bodies. This is rarely done in stranger killings when there are two or more adult victims.
2). All indications are that the perpetrator was impersonating Law Enforcement. A real rouge cop on duty is possible but efforts to conceal the victim's bodies would seem to have required the perp to be away from his vehicle and unable to respond to his radio for long periods of time. An on duty cop would want to avoid such a situation.

There appears to probable DNA from the Thomas/Dowski case but there seems to be no match with either a record on CODIS or from any other crime. It is possible that the perp has gotten out of the business without a felony arrest.

 

[billthom56]

I've spent a little time getting up to speed on this case. Two things really caught my eye:
1) although there are significant differences between the 4 cases and quite a bit of time between them but there were rather unusual elements the cases had in common. These were all classic "lovers lane" killings were couples were targeted in their cars at lonely spots. There was no indication of sexual assault and a serious effort was made to " disappear" all of the bodies. This is rarely done in stranger killings when there are two or more adult victims.
2). All indications are that the perpetrator was impersonating Law Enforcement. A real rouge cop on duty is possible but efforts to conceal the victim's bodies would seem to have required the perp to be away from his vehicle and unable to respond to his radio for long periods of time. An on duty cop would want to avoid such a situation.

There appears to probable DNA from the Thomas/Dowski case but there seems to be no match with either a record on CODIS or from any other crime. It is possible that the perp has gotten out of the business without a felony arrest.

Kemo:

Lots of good observations. I don't know if apparently killing 8 people in four double homicides in the same geographic area would be be considered "quite a bit of time" between the murders. It sure didn't feel that way when they seemed to be happening one right another.

Agreed that he/they could be presenting as law enforcement. The crime scenes often felt like a law enforcement officer rolled up on the couples while they were parking.

Thanks.


Bill Thomas
Brother of Cathleen Thomas
Los Angeles, CA

 

[adian_69]

I really do admire you Bill. Coming here and speaking to us is something I don't believe I could do were I in your situation. The courage and determination you show in finding this person is amazing.

I know some time has passed but I hope the media continues to cover this information and get it to the general public. Somebody has to know something, even if they think its insignificant. I will share this story, but I'm from Canada, so I doubt it will be of use.

 

[billthom56]

Adian:

Thanks so much; we will keep the case moving forward. Lots of good things happening in the Colonial Parkway Murders case.

Speaking of media coverage, here is a brand new story by reporter Andy Fox of WAVY-TV in Hampton Roads, VA that just ran tonight.

http://wavy.com/2016/10/12/special-report-the-colonial-parkway-murders-30-years-ago/

Best,


Bill Thomas
Brother of Cathleen Thomas
Los Angeles, CA

 

[bpardoe870]

My daughter and I are currently writing a book on these crimes. Any thoughts or leads, please reach out to us.

https://blainepardoe.wordpress.com/...e-crime-project-the-colonial-parkway-murders/

Blaine Pardoe

 

[PowMom01]

Dear Bill Thomas,

I just listened to the Real Crime Profile series on the Colonial Parkway victims. I love how you speak of your sister. Your description of her provided me with an image of a very strong woman who overcame many obstacles during her short time on earth. Based on what you said about her Navy experiences it is truly heartbreaking to know that someone took her life away from her (and possibly 7 other people).

I truly hope and pray that this case is solved and the murderer(s) brought to justice.

Thanks - PowMom01

My general thoughts on the case(s) (not directed at anyone in particular)

Cathy & Rebecca - were they really "parking"? They both seem a little old for this activity IMO. Would Cathy have pulled over the in same area if LE was lighting her up? Cathy is much older than the rest of the victims

I see the most similarities in the cases of Knobling/Edwards and Hailey/Call.

The case of Phelps/Lauer appears to me to be completely different. They were not a couple. Daniel's vehicle was discovered on I64 in New Kent County (much further west than the others). 64 is very heavily used between Richmond and Virginia Beach, in 1989 and today, especially that rest stop.

And then you have the murders of Julianne Williams and Lollie Winans in the Shenandoah National Park in 1996. Very similar to Cathy and Rebecca.

Here's hoping the renewed public interest in these cases brings justice.

Just my opinion

 

[billthom56]

PowMom01:

Thanks for your kind words about Cathy and Becky. We do think they were parking. Becky lived in the dorms at William and Mary, and Cathy's apartment in Virginia Beach would have been an hour each way on a Thursday night. Agreed that Cathy was older. I do think that Cathy would have pulled over for law enforcement. Four years at the Naval Academy, five years as a naval officer, respect for authority, that sort of thing

There is a possibility that Daniel Lauer and Annamaria Phelps were involved. As a matter of fact, most of the couples in the Colonial Parkway Murders were not couples. Keith Call and Cassandra Hailey were on a first date. David Knobling and Robin Edwards had just met, and he had a girlfriend at home. Cathy and Becky were the only steady couple of the four double homicides.

Thanks.

Bill Thomas,
Brother of Cathy Thomas,
Los Angeles, CA

 

[STANDREID]

Well sorry to say, I don't see a lot of hope solving this now unless the guy kept some bloody clothing or souvenirs that could be traced back to the crimes. Even then, if a family member found something like that, they might choose not to turn it in. It does look like the 20-year-old Claremont Murders might be solved though so no reason to give up total hope. The Colonial case started about 30 years ago and my guess would be the guy was about 30 at the time so that would make him 60ish now and, by law of averages, still living. Not to likely at that age he would be involved in another crime where he'd leave his DNA though.