VA VA - The Colonial Parkway Murders, 1986-89

[dum az a rok]

From looking at NDIS information on FBI.gov, if states participate in NDIS and state laws differ from federal laws, then state agrees to comply with the more restrictive federal laws limiting access. I am curious as to how many states actually participate because it seems like participation would be allowing the federal government to dictate DNA laws to the states. If states aren't participating, the national database isn't going to have a whole lot of DNA. It looks like the FBI can release it to law enforcement and local and state levels for 'identification' purposes. I'm assuming identification means open source testing against a database of unsolved crimes since the whole system does not list any personal information of the offender. If that's correct, then is the FBI sharing DNA profiles with the states and if not, why? Is the FBI getting samples from offenders killed during commission of crime (Neal Falls) and offenders in the Federal System since before law enacted? What DNA is being compared to what DNA?

It looks like military falls under NDIS but that wouldn't appear to include National Park Rangers. I think states add LE to their databases, but what about on a national level?

It looks like to me there could be a crack, or should I say large crevice, in the DNA laws from state to state and Federal to state that are limiting DNA comparisons to the state. Unless person convicted of crime that allows DNA collection in the same state as a cold case, there probably won't be a hit because the cold case DNA is probably at the state level and DNA from the offender probably won't get past the state level. There needs to be national and international databases compiled immediately so that all DNA of certain criminals are matched to cold cases. Imagine how many cold cases would be solved right away if DNA compiled and compared to cold cases on just a national level. If the law does not allow for this, creating a retroactive fix needs to be the first thing on Congress agenda tomorrow.

 

[jaejae]

Very good post and research. As I say I do not want to take over this thread with my suspect as the victims have the right to discuss other suspects. I believe Jackson is a good suspect and the best suspect because he is a very prolific Serial Killer as well a committing a crime despite what others may say was similar to the Colonial Parkway Murders and on a Parkway which is a similar location. I might be wrong but to be frank I think I have a very good idea he was the offender. With the DNA I believe the FBI have known exactly who he was since 2010. Due to the scale of his crimes they have still not identified him. So there is not a problem with DNA hits on him in my opinion more the other way around too many. Keep up the good work and I hope the families get answers soon whether I am right or not but this needs to be the right answer.

 

[dum az a rok]

Touch DNA from the fingerprint cards

 

[dum az a rok]

Attached is document and link to the DNA laws state by state. I know I'm not very smart, but darn they seem confusing particularly if you have to start trying to figure out when to release or submit DNA to other states / federal database.

I have also attached a serial murder investigative resource courtesy of the Behavioral Analysis Unit at the FBI. Reassuring to see that the FBI summarily discounts any information, work, or theory members of Websleuths or any person who is not law enforcement provide or come up with, apparently whether or not the information is valid or not. Ironic that this statement comes after an opening that talks about cooperation. I wonder if local LE feel that spirit of cooperation from the FBI? I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm here to try and help the victims plain and simple. It's a little discouraging to know that it apparently would take an Erin Brockovich type effort to get the FBI to listen to anything even if I knew the identity of the killer.

Interesting to see where our opinions are discounted because we aren't trained and have ill informed opinions or thoughts that are based upon common misconceptions about serial killers. I'm not sure how I have these documents and this information if I'm ill informed. I'm not sure how I have misconceptions about serial killers if I have what appears to be the same data as the FBI. I guess it's easier to dismiss an entire segment of people then to actually solve a serial murder offense. I'm curious as to how many serial murders the FBI has solved, especially of late, and what makes them the experts if they don't have a good track record and are now focused on terrorism and intelligence.

Taking a look at the types of crimes that are typically in an offenders background, it seems like the FBI should be directing that statement at the legislators. Looks to me like many of these crimes are misdemeanors. Others are felonies not covered in many states. If we all live under the Constitution, then why are DNA laws different from state to state? How is DNA any different than fingerprints if it's harvested to put in a crime database just like fingerprints? I don't see how DNA for all criminal offenses is any different that a fingerprint. That is what DNA is - a genetic fingerprint. Its usefulness is the ability to harvest it out of the most minute of evidence whereas it just takes a glove to cover up fingerprints. It clearly seems constitutional to me so that leaves me wondering about who the legislators are protecting - themselves? Why is it unconstitutional to take DNA from somebody convicted of something before an arbitrary date while it is OK to take it if they were convicted after that same date? If anything it seems unconstitutional to treat people differently, particularly since it probably will result in a greater disparity of charges against minorities and other groups that represent a disproportionate number of arrestees compared to % population. I'm guessing the arrestee % for minorities and others will increase above their levels for less serious crimes.

What's the downside? Solving crimes? There's no names or other information attached to DNA profiles and only used to solve crimes. If you look at the government websites, the federal government already has a complete ancestry database that is free and maintained by a religious group (separation of church and state?). There is no 6th amendment issue. The criminals just need somewhere to hide while defense attorneys need to make a buck too.

It's time to make a national DNA law and database not only for the victims, but for the safety of everyone. It really has become a system more concerned about the rights of the criminals.

FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. government, U.S. Department of Justice

Serial Murder: Pathways for Investigations

http://www.ncsl.org/Documents/cj/ArresteeDNALaws.pdf

 

[dum az a rok]

The sex offender registries seem to have the same problem in that there are too many gaps between states. Why wouldn’t there be a comprehensive national database with enforcement at the local level?

Pulling DNA off old military and criminal fingerprint cards would probably solve more than one crime. Familial searches probably would too. I don’t see any new legal issues since it can be done with a print. Were the DNA laws written with touch DNA in mind because if not they are all outdated. As fingerprints are legal, there should be no issue with pulling DNA and adding to database. As a federal ancestry database maintained by a religious group is legal, there should be no problem performing familial searches. The families deserve answers. Criminals don’t deserve protection. The intent of the Constitution was to provide for the ability to speak out against the evil of tyranny, not to provide cover for criminals.

 

[dum az a rok]

Lest ye think I am ill informed on geographic profiling, below is a link to Dr. Rossmo 574 page thesis upon which geographic profiling is based. In reviewing, I can't help but think the computer program that predicts location may need to be updated using the updated data in the FBI report above. I don't want to put pdf to avoid copyright laws.

summit.sfu.ca/system/files/iritems1/5157/b1496191x.pdf

 

[dum az a rok]

Not sure if it's the same David R Cordle and Steven C Blackmon (Liberty), but both are showing as property owners in Anderson County, SC, which is a rather rural area. I'm not sure if all of this is a coincidence but it looks like RLJ relatives including maybe wife and in-laws have ties to Anderson County.

One other thing that could be a coincidence but in researching, I noted that company responsible for original construction of Parkway from Greenwood, SC. This is another rural area of SC and county adjacent to Anderson.

011-08-01-027-000
Owner Information
Current Owner Previous Owner
Name BLACKMON STEVEN C + BRIDGET B Name HAZEN ALBERT A + BARBARA A
Address 13 MUSKHOGEAN RD Address 13 MUSKHOGEAN RD
City, State FAIR PLAY SC City, State FAIR PLAY SC
Zip 29643-3022 Zip 29643-3022
Sales Information
Date Book# Page# Price Purchaser
5/09/2018 13392 00036 $ 600,000.00 BLACKMON STEVEN C + BRIDGET B
4/30/1992 1377 00050 $ 1.00 HAZEN ALBERT A + BARBARA A
8/20/1985 20O 691 $ 1.00 HAZEN ALBERT A + BARBARA A
8/02/1984 20H 566 $ 38,500.00 HAZEN ALBERT A + BARBARA A
LAKE HARTWELL INC



Account Number: 2003 081419001 Type: FIRST TIME ISSUE File Date: 10/03/2003

________________________________________
Owner Address Mailing Address
Name CORDLE DAVID RAY Name:
Address 113 MADISON RIDGE RD Address: 113 MADISON RIDGE RD
City PIEDMONT City: PIEDMONT
State SC Zip: 29673-7915 State: SC Zip: 29673-7915


________________________________________
Vehicle Information
Insurance Required: Insurance Flagged: N

Year: 2001 Make: NISS Model: QST Body: VN
Gross Weight:


________________________________________
Tax Information
District: 1


Assessment: 1,380 City Levy: County Levy: .24410
Due Date: 12/09/2003 Trans. Date: 10/03/2003 Aff Date: 8/11/2003 EXP. Date: 8/31/2004

________________________________________
Payment History Paid Date: 12/30/2004
Charges Payments Refunds
TAX: 336.86 336.86 Tax Credit:


I'm not sure if there is relation or not but there is another Blackmon in the area (Greenwood County address) that was charged with cruelty to animals.
Name Charge Code - Charge Description Original Charge Code - Original Charge Disposition Date
Blackmon, Amanda Sue 1638-Animals / Cruel work, abandonment etc. of animals when not torture - 1st offense 1638-Animals / Cruel work, abandonment etc. of animals when not torture - 1st offense 11/03/2011
And/Or Description Amount Units Begin Date End Date Completion Date Consecutive or Concurrent
Or Fine 400.00 Amount 11/03/2011
Fine or Jail Time 20 Days 11/03/2011 11/23/2011

 

[jaejae]

Here is another recent Podcast about the crimes. I have not listened to it yet as I know who I think the offender is but I will have a listen later (just saying I do not know the content yet but the minutes I listened to it seemed ok):

 

[pphloyd]

This caught my attention ...years ago
Mostly the part of suspected LE as a suspect ....like a park ranger it on park property

With the 1st suspect in the Zodiac killings , being a park ranger

 

[JnRyan]

Here is another recent Podcast about the crimes. I have not listened to it yet as I know who I think the offender is but I will have a listen later (just saying I do not know the content yet but the minutes I listened to it seemed ok):

This is actually part 3 of a 3-part podcast. Covers the 4th set of murders and possible suspects. Part 1 is an interview with the writers of the book, "A Special Type of Evil - The Colonial Parkway Serial Killings" and Part 2 covers the first 3 sets of murders.

I don't why I had low expectations for this podcast, but I figured, 'Hey, even a bad podcast is better than no podcast at all.' Turns out it was nicely done. If you followed this case and read the previously mentioned book, you don't really learn anything new. But it is a good refresher and a good intro for those who are new to this case.

 

[jaejae]

This is actually part 3 of a 3-part podcast. Covers the 4th set of murders and possible suspects. Part 1 is an interview with the writers of the book, "A Special Type of Evil - The Colonial Parkway Serial Killings" and Part 2 covers the first 3 sets of murders.

I don't why I had low expectations for this podcast, but I figured, 'Hey, even a bad podcast is better than no podcast at all.' Turns out it was nicely done. If you followed this case and read the previously mentioned book, you don't really learn anything new. But it is a good refresher and a good intro for those who are new to this case.

Good to hear from what I can see you are a well respected figure in Virginian cases.

 

[JnRyan]

Good to hear from what I can see you are a well respected figure in Virginian cases.

I don't really think so, but thanks!

As far as this case on Websleuths, Kathy Thomas' brother, Bill Thomas, is the go-to person for these murders. In fact, he posts on here every now and then.

 

[Mountain Mama]

I would be interested to know whether Hadden Clark has been considered and cleared of involvement in these homicides. It is noteworthy that he was active from 1986-1992 in Southern MD; had a huge knife collection and was known for slitting throats and sometimes decapitation. "He eventually confessed to police that he had slit the girl's throat." (this is regarding Michele Dorr in 1986 - Silver Spring, MD). Jailed ‘Cross Dressing Cannibal Serial Killer’ tops brother’s violent history, claims he slayed at least 12 women

As a side note, Hadden was known for wearing disguises. He frequently dressed as a female. Just wondering if he was into female impersonation if that would have factored in to his ruse.

 

[Mountain Mama]

Another victim of Hadden's was a victim of a slashed throat as well. "Houghteling's throat was slashed when she was found. Hadden told investigators she was in a grave close to her home... Investigators did find a bucket of jewelry buried under a property belonging to the Clark family. It contained hundreds of times, some of which belonged to Houghteling."

This bucket of jewelry may be a way to connect him to other victims. Maybe the jewelry is still being kept as evidence and if it were publicized perhaps families who think he may have been involved in their loved ones murder could be permitted to view the jewelry to see if any of it presumably belonged to their loved one.

How Hadden Clark, Bradfield Clark's brother, killed Laura Houghteling and Michele Dorr | Daily Mail Online

 

[jaejae]

Another victim of Hadden's was a victim of a slashed throat as well. "Houghteling's throat was slashed when she was found. Hadden told investigators she was in a grave close to her home... Investigators did find a bucket of jewelry buried under a property belonging to the Clark family. It contained hundreds of times, some of which belonged to Houghteling."

This bucket of jewelry may be a way to connect him to other victims. Maybe the jewelry is still being kept as evidence and if it were publicized perhaps families who think he may have been involved in their loved ones murder could be permitted to view the jewelry to see if any of it presumably belonged to their loved one.

How Hadden Clark, Bradfield Clark's brother, killed Laura Houghteling and Michele Dorr | Daily Mail Online

Interesting post and worth looking at. I have watched a couple of documentaries about this killer. It is not a competition of course but I would still go for the Parkway Shooter as the Colonial Parkway Killer. If you look at the photos of him he had powerful shoulders and a powerful neck and was a military man likely in Vietnam as well. Hadden is definitely worth looking at though.

 

[jaejae]

Here is some information about a series of crimes in Italy which to me have some similarities with the Colonial Parkway Murders. There are of course similarities and differences in the crimes scenes of the Colonial Parkway Murders because each one is unique. The point I want to make is that the killer in my opinion 'trawled' the Colonial Parkway for victims. Most of the victims were young because they were the people out on the parkway late at night. Some of the victims did this to spend some time together and for companionship. Some may have not had their own homes and the killer exploited this:

Monster of Florence - Wikipedia

 

[VAGenealogist]

If anyone would like to pay their virtual respects to the victims, here is a link to their Find a Grave memorials.

https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/1038904?page=1#sr-131217259

 

[Falling Down]

I would be interested to know whether Hadden Clark has been considered and cleared of involvement in these homicides. It is noteworthy that he was active from 1986-1992 in Southern MD; had a huge knife collection and was known for slitting throats and sometimes decapitation. "He eventually confessed to police that he had slit the girl's throat." (this is regarding Michele Dorr in 1986 - Silver Spring, MD). Jailed ‘Cross Dressing Cannibal Serial Killer’ tops brother’s violent history, claims he slayed at least 12 women

As a side note, Hadden was known for wearing disguises. He frequently dressed as a female. Just wondering if he was into female impersonation if that would have factored in to his ruse.

Very interesting. One of the serial killers who worked over the red light district of Rochester, NY, 30 years ago was also abused by his mother and was forced to wear girl's clothing as a kid. In his case, he ended up deceased before charges could be brought against him. He was extremely religious, and most likely had a hatred for women.

Interesting post!

 

[jaejae]

Here is a recent Podcast featuring the Colonial Parkway Murders and also the Highway Of Tears cases:

 

[JnRyan]

Here is a recent Podcast featuring the Colonial Parkway Murders and also the Highway Of Tears cases:

Interesting. Overall, I'd say it is a very superficial view of the cases. For example, in the 3rd set of murders, Call and Hailey, they were not really dating. Basically, it sounded like they both wanted to attend the same party, so Cassandra Hailey just got a ride with Keith Call or something similar. Also, one or both avoided the Colonial Parkway and this was possibly due the first set of murders. But it does keep publicity on these murders.

However, some things noted here are interesting. They bring up the murders off Skyline Drive years later and I haven't seen that brought up recently. They also bring up the 1984 murder of Mike Margaret and Donna Hall near Richmond and I have not seen that connection before. The guy does bring up an interesting theory on the diesel fuel in the first set of murders - the fuel can was stolen or taken from another location and did not actually belong to the killer. IOW, he saw a can labeled "gasoline" or fuel container and assumed it contained gasoline and took it with him. Only after did he doused the scene with it did he realize his mistake.