VA VA - The Colonial Parkway Murders, 1986-89

[Richard]

Bumping this thread up.

 

[dotr]

Jan 10, 2025

One year after development in Colonial Parkway Murders, where do things stand?

"There's been a lot of promises made in terms of what the next steps might be by the Virginia State Police and the FBI but we haven't seen much in terms of results."

www.wtkr.com

''NORFOLK, Va. — For Bill Thomas, it's been another year of wanting to know more.
"It continues to be one of these hurry up and wait situations."

''News 3 has talked several times with Thomas over the years, including last year at the taping of a true crime podcast he hosts, which he says leads to the public coming forward with tips.''

 

[tilomagnet]

I predict thats all you'll ever from LE reg. the CPM. They are likely sure Wilmer did it all and LE knows they screwed up in period by letting him off the hook. So they have no interest in constant publicity for the CPMs. Sad.

 

[Betty P]

Jan 10, 2025

One year after development in Colonial Parkway Murders, where do things stand?

"There's been a lot of promises made in terms of what the next steps might be by the Virginia State Police and the FBI but we haven't seen much in terms of results."

www.wtkr.com

''NORFOLK, Va. — For Bill Thomas, it's been another year of wanting to know more.
"It continues to be one of these hurry up and wait situations."

''News 3 has talked several times with Thomas over the years, including last year at the taping of a true crime podcast he hosts, which he says leads to the public coming forward with tips.''

I really hope Bill Thomas is successful in getting them to finish investigating Kathy and Rebecca's murders. He's done a monumental service over the years in getting resolution for these cases. He deserves the peace of mind in finally having some answers. He's such a nice guy, so helpful to everyone. I have the greatest amount of respect and admiration for him.

 

[Richard]

Bumping this thread up.

 

[billthom56]

I really hope Bill Thomas is successful in getting them to finish investigating Kathy and Rebecca's murders. He's done a monumental service over the years in getting resolution for these cases. He deserves the peace of mind in finally having some answers. He's such a nice guy, so helpful to everyone. I have the greatest amount of respect and admiration for him.

Thank you so much.

Bill Thomas, Brother of Cathy Thomas, Colonial Parkway Murders

 

[billthom56]

New show:
Joe Kenda
Investigation Discovery
American Detective: Colonial Parkway Murders episode Season 5, Episode 1

We thought that the show was well done-- a few minor errors, but an excellent review of the Colonial Parkway Murders. Some viewers had a bit of a hard time finding the new episode. It is Season 5 episode 1. If you search for American Detective Colonial Parkway Murders you should be able to find it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp3rNRZnL0E

One takeaway we are not comfortable with is that Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. is definitely responsible for all four of the Colonial Parkway Murders. That may be a working theory, but FBI Norfolk and the Virginia State Police have a lot more work to do to prove that.

Let us know what you think.


Bill Thomas, Brother of Cathy Thomas, Colonial Parkway Murders

 

[billthom56]

Many thanks to Celene Beth Olsen for the fantastic conversation!

www.facebook.com/share/p/1AiPNp8XXM/

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bills-personal-tale/id1765299017?i=1000702826028

 

[dotr]

November 14, 2025​

‘Colonial Parkway Murders': Virginia man linked to fourth cold case killing

A man whose DNA was linked to three of the notorious “Colonial Parkway Murders” in the 1980s has now been tied to a fourth killing, Virginia police say. Virginia State Police announced Friday that Alan Wilmer Sr. was responsible for the 1988 murder of 19-year-old Laurie Ann Powell. Wilmer died...

www.nbcwashington.com

''Virginia State Police announced Friday that Alan Wilmer Sr. was responsible for the 1988 murder of 19-year-old Laurie Ann Powell. Wilmer died in 2017 at the age of 63.

Powell was last seen walking down a Gloucester County road after having an argument with her boyfriend.

Her body was discovered more than three weeks later floating in the Elizabeth River.''

''Bill Thomas said he's frustrated that Virginia law prevents authorities from putting Wilmer's DNA into CODIS, the FBI's national DNA databank, because he was never convicted of a crime.

He believes if Wilmer's DNA were entered into the database, it would link him to other crimes.''

VA Post in thread 'Laurie Ann Powell, 18, Gloucester County, March-Apr, 1988'

Nov 14, 2025

According to a news brief, forensic evidence ties Alan Wade Wilmer to Laurie’s death.

She was in such a vulnerable position after fighting with her boyfriend and ultimately being stranded late at night in the region. With Wilmer not far away. It is so tragic. So senseless.

Laurie is his 4th known victim. How many more is what needs to continue to be investigated.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia State Police are expected to announce Friday that a fourth homicide is connected to a former Northern Neck resident who died in 2017, 10 On Your Side has learned.

Virginia State...

• Mountain Mama

• 

 

[Ladyotm]

November 14, 2025​

‘Colonial Parkway Murders': Virginia man linked to fourth cold case killing

A man whose DNA was linked to three of the notorious “Colonial Parkway Murders” in the 1980s has now been tied to a fourth killing, Virginia police say. Virginia State Police announced Friday that Alan Wilmer Sr. was responsible for the 1988 murder of 19-year-old Laurie Ann Powell. Wilmer died...

www.nbcwashington.com

''Virginia State Police announced Friday that Alan Wilmer Sr. was responsible for the 1988 murder of 19-year-old Laurie Ann Powell. Wilmer died in 2017 at the age of 63.

Powell was last seen walking down a Gloucester County road after having an argument with her boyfriend.

Her body was discovered more than three weeks later floating in the Elizabeth River.''

''Bill Thomas said he's frustrated that Virginia law prevents authorities from putting Wilmer's DNA into CODIS, the FBI's national DNA databank, because he was never convicted of a crime.

He believes if Wilmer's DNA were entered into the database, it would link him to other crimes.''

VA Post in thread 'Laurie Ann Powell, 18, Gloucester County, March-Apr, 1988'

Nov 14, 2025

According to a news brief, forensic evidence ties Alan Wade Wilmer to Laurie’s death.

She was in such a vulnerable position after fighting with her boyfriend and ultimately being stranded late at night in the region. With Wilmer not far away. It is so tragic. So senseless.

Laurie is his 4th known victim. How many more is what needs to continue to be investigated.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia State Police are expected to announce Friday that a fourth homicide is connected to a former Northern Neck resident who died in 2017, 10 On Your Side has learned.

Virginia State...

• Mountain Mama

• 

This makes me angry. There should be some legal way to run his DNA at this point.
I recently served as a juror in a murder case. A SLED agent testified that they will not run DNA unless the local police have identified a suspect for a potential
to run it against. I could not believe what I was hearing. How hard is it just to run the DNA to see if it matches anyone in the system! This should be the norm.

 

[Richard]

This makes me angry. There should be some legal way to run his DNA at this point.
I recently served as a juror in a murder case. A SLED agent testified that they will not run DNA unless the local police have identified a suspect for a potential
to run it against. I could not believe what I was hearing. How hard is it just to run the DNA to see if it matches anyone in the system! This should be the norm.

Truly a Catch 22 type situation. In order to run his DNA against other cases, he has to be convicted of an offense - but he can't be convicted because he's dead.

How about the DNA of a known serial killer who is not convicted, but instead confined in a mental facility for life? Would his DNA be excluded as well?

Running DNA through a national data base could not only solve a number of open cases, it could potentially free someone who was wrongly convicted of a capital crime.

 

[Leprikawn]

Too bad they can't do a trial and convict him even though he is dead. The truth always deserves to come out.

 

[scapa]

Too bad they can't do a trial and convict him even though he is dead. The truth always deserves to come out.

Or at least a coronial enquiry-type procedure where evidence could be adduced and discussed and family members and other survivors encouraged to make their own contributions with (in this case) LE participation so conclusions can be publically and transparently arrived at and protocols / procedures improved where needed.

 

[Richard]

2026 will mark the 40 year anniversary of the supposed beginning of the Colonial Parkway Murders. It is possible that earlier cases could also be connected.

 

[dotr]

January 20, 2026

FBI Norfolk Announces Resolution of 1986 Colonial Parkway Murders of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski | Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI Norfolk Field Office, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, on January 20 announced the resolution of the 1986 cold case murders of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski, victims of the Colonial Parkway murders.

www.fbi.gov

''FBI Norfolk Announces Resolution of 1986 Colonial Parkway Murders of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski​

The FBI Norfolk Field Office, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, on January 20 announced the resolution of the 1986 cold case murders of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski, victims of the Colonial Parkway murders.

Through persistent investigation and breakthroughs in forensic technology, the FBI has determined that Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. of Lancaster County, who died in 2017, murdered Thomas and Dowski. Wilmer Sr. is connected to a series of at least six murders and disappearances of young people in Virginia between 1986 and 1989. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia confirmed that, had Wilmer Sr. been alive today, the evidence developed through this investigation would have supported federal prosecution.

Between 1986 and 1989, a series of violent crimes occurred along or near Virginia’s Colonial Parkway and surrounding areas, resulting in the murders and disappearances of at least eight young people. These crimes became collectively known as the Colonial Parkway murders, one of the most complex and enduring cold case investigations in Virginia history. 

Thomas, 27, and Dowski, 21, were last seen together in October 1986. Their bodies were later discovered inside their vehicle along the Colonial Parkway. Despite extensive investigative efforts at the time, the case remained unsolved for decades.

Thomas was a vibrant young woman known for her compassion, intelligence, and close relationships with family and friends. Dowski was a talented musician and college student with a promising future, remembered for her creativity, kindness and love of music. Their lives were tragically cut short, but they were never forgotten by the investigators who continued to pursue justice on their behalf.''

 

[dotr]

Dates and details of crimes at link.

FBI closes case on Colonial Parkway double-murder after confirming suspect

The FBI Norfolk Field Office says it has solved a decades-old double murder that terrorized Virginia in the 1980s.

www.wtkr.com

updated 38 minutes ago

'Investigators now say Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. killed Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski in 1986. Wilmer is connected to at least six murders and disappearances of young people between 1986 and 1989. Wilmer died in 2017 at age 63 at his home in Lancaster County, Virginia.
The FBI says advances in DNA technology finally cracked the case after nearly four decades.'

• ''October 1986: Cathy Thomas and Becky Dowski
• The couple's car was found at the edge of the York River near a pull-off area. It appears someone tried to set their car on fire, but failed. "They were strangled with rope. Their throats were cut from beyond ear to ear," Cathy's brother told News 3.''

 

[MissPie]

Dates and details of crimes at link.

FBI closes case on Colonial Parkway double-murder after confirming suspect

The FBI Norfolk Field Office says it has solved a decades-old double murder that terrorized Virginia in the 1980s.

www.wtkr.com

updated 38 minutes ago
View attachment 638385
'Investigators now say Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. killed Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski in 1986. Wilmer is connected to at least six murders and disappearances of young people between 1986 and 1989. Wilmer died in 2017 at age 63 at his home in Lancaster County, Virginia.
The FBI says advances in DNA technology finally cracked the case after nearly four decades.'

• ''October 1986: Cathy Thomas and Becky Dowski
• The couple's car was found at the edge of the York River near a pull-off area. It appears someone tried to set their car on fire, but failed. "They were strangled with rope. Their throats were cut from beyond ear to ear," Cathy's brother told News 3.''

This is a big deal, although not a surprise that it was Wilmer. I’m so glad that the Thomas and Dowski families finally have an answer.

 

[scapa]

Dates and details of crimes at link.

FBI closes case on Colonial Parkway double-murder after confirming suspect

The FBI Norfolk Field Office says it has solved a decades-old double murder that terrorized Virginia in the 1980s.

www.wtkr.com

updated 38 minutes ago
View attachment 638385
'Investigators now say Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. killed Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski in 1986. Wilmer is connected to at least six murders and disappearances of young people between 1986 and 1989. Wilmer died in 2017 at age 63 at his home in Lancaster County, Virginia.
The FBI says advances in DNA technology finally cracked the case after nearly four decades.'

• ''October 1986: Cathy Thomas and Becky Dowski
• The couple's car was found at the edge of the York River near a pull-off area. It appears someone tried to set their car on fire, but failed. "They were strangled with rope. Their throats were cut from beyond ear to ear," Cathy's brother told News 3.''

Sad/ glad to read this, though feels like it's a (perhaps overdue) confirmation of what the recent evidence already strongly suggested.

My sense also is that for some of these victimized families, being able to grieve and remember with more certain knowledge includes the bonus of less time and effort (and fewer tension headaches) whilst trying to draw information from a reluctant FBI...

 

[tilomagnet]

This is great that this has been finally formally solved.

But remember, VA LE had Wilmer by the balls in the late 80ies and let him go after he passed a polygraph. Another strong reminder that this has always been junk science!

 

[Richard]

The big question remaining is; How many more victims are there?