FBI names suspect in ‘Colonial Parkway Murders’ cold case after many years

Breakthrough in Virginia Cold Case

After almost four decades of mystery, federal investigators have reportedly identified the suspect behind one of Virginia’s most notorious cold cases.

The FBI’s Norfolk Field Office revealed on Tuesday that advancements in forensic technology have connected the 1986 murders of Kathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowsky to Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., a suspect who has since passed away and is believed to have been involved in at least six other murders.

Wilmer Sr. was identified as the murderer of Thomas and Dowsky, who were last seen on October 9, 1986, while in a computer lab at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg.

At 63, Wilmer Sr., a fisherman, died in 2017. The FBI noted his involvement in several disappearances of young men across Virginia during the late ’80s.

During this period, at least eight young men were reported killed or went missing in a series of violent crimes along the Colonial Parkway and nearby areas. This cluster of crimes has become one of Virginia’s longest unresolved investigations.

After the disappearance of 27-year-old Thomas and her 21-year-old friend Dowsky, their bodies were discovered, showing signs of stabbing and strangulation in a vehicle along the Parkway. Details on whether they were sexually assaulted remain unclear.

Thanks to recent developments in forensic science and DNA testing, Wilmer Sr. has now been identified as the prime suspect in this tragic case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia stated that had Wilmer Sr. been alive, there would have been enough evidence to bring federal charges against him.

Wilmer Sr. is also linked to the 1987 murders of David Knobling, 20, and Robin M. Edwards, 14, in Isle of Wight, as well as the 1989 murder of 29-year-old Teresa Lynn Spough Howell in the same area. Both Knobling and Edwards were fatally shot, with their bodies found shortly after they disappeared.

The FBI described Thomas as a vibrant young woman, admired for her kindness and intelligence. Dowsky was recognized for her musical talent and was seen as having a promising future.

Dominic Evans, the special agent in charge of the Norfolk field office, expressed pride in the persistence of the FBI team, highlighting their commitment to justice. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts with local police departments in their pursuit of truth for the victims’ families.

The Hampton Police Department expressed gratitude to the community for their support and information throughout the investigation. They hope the recent developments will provide some measure of closure for the families involved.

Thomas’ brother, Bill, noted that he believes there may have been more victims connected to the Colonial Parkway murders. He mentioned the challenges in uploading Wilmer Sr.’s DNA to databases, as he was never convicted of a crime before his death. The families are advocating for changes to the law in hopes of preventing similar cold cases in the future.