FBI aerial photograph of the pull-over spot where Keith Calls car was found the day after their date. Roughly six months later, on April 9, 1987, college student Richard "Keith" Call, 20, went out on his first date with Cassandra Lee Hailey, 18, from Grafton. #LoversLaneMurders #ColonialParkwayMurders #truecrime #FBI #DNA To the Call family, the FBI did not do enough to protect the families from this indignity, and protect the evidence of such terrible crimes. Just a beautiful woman, her sister-in-law, Ginny Minarik, told Lovers Lane Murders.. According to NBC, their love was a new, budding thing that would never get the chance to flourish. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. None had been robbed or sexually molested, stumping investigators as to what the possible motive that galvanized the murders might have been. It was the young couples very first date. ?, Ep The Colonial Parkway Murders: Part Three - Sep 12, 2019 True Crime Uncensored with Burl Barer and Mark Boyer. Fred Atwell was a deputy when the killer prowled this Parkway. Her brother's car is in a crime-scene photo never meant to be public. A crime scene photograph showing the roadway leading back into the woods. "He would spin the most elaborate tales you've ever heard," he said. The Gloucester County whistleblower who last year revealed how the FBI leaked crime-scene photographs from the Colonial Parkway killings now says he's a suspect in the murder investigation. And, as unsavory as the crime scene photos revelation was, it appeared to kick the investigation of the homicides back into high gear. Thomas had also entered a relationship with Dowski, and the two were known to regularly visit the area where they were murdered. It's possible they just hadn't found the right fit for acting out on their illness, or that the killer was growing, evolving, branching out their system to better sate dark desires and lessen the possibility of being caught. Steve Spingola, former Milwaukee homicide detective, investigated the murders on behalf of the families. In the center of the image is Danny Plott, standing next to Dr. Marcella Fierro of the Virginia State Medical Examiners office. This question of serial killer or coincidence is explored in Oxygens new limited series. This unwholesome section is grisly and malignant Youve been warned. CRIMES Serial Killers VA VA - The Colonial Parkway Murders, 1986-89 littlehorn Sep 16, 2008 New Posts G Madeleine McCann: German Prisoner Identified as Suspect, #33 Latest: G-Unit 2 minutes ago Madeleine McCann UK - Nurse Lucy Letby, Faces 22 Charges - 7 Murder/15 Attempted Murder of Babies #18 Latest: LadyEdgeworth 4 minutes ago Trials N The Colonial Parkway Murders first victims were Cathy Thomas (L) and Rebecca Dowski (R). The body of Carmine Galante is taken out of Joe and Mary's Italian Restaurant. The wooded isolation here is not dissimilar to that of the Colonial Parkway. One of the many scenic overpasses on the Colonial Parkway as it appears now. 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. Its isolation and lack of patrols by the NPS made it a perfect place for murder or to dispose of a vehicle/bodies. Tragic, but important story and one not heard of before ( west coast reader). The Colonial Parkway Murders are a set of killings in which at least four couples had their lives cut short. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. The last few years have not been kind to Janzen Robinson. Thank you for writing this book. It's a roadway and state route, partly manned by the National Park Service, that interlocks Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. He was shy at first, but once you got to know him he opened up, he said. For more on the Colonial Parkway murders, watch Oxygens new limited series Lovers Lane Murders, airing Thursday, February 11 and Friday, February 12 at 9/8c and 10/9c. On April 10, 1988, two kids from Christopher Newport University both perfect in-synched with the killers victim profile were reported missing after attending a party in Newport News during their first date together. 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. Her date with Keith Call was their first and only one. You must log in or register to reply here. The only evidence of any wrongdoing was the discovery of Calls red Toyota Celica, unoccupied at the York River Overlook. -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 never returned home. Several clothing items were found in the vehicle, as were the car keys. Some don't believe this pair can be counted in the Colonial Parkway murders because we don't know what happened to the victims, whereas others believe the case bears a convincing resemblance to the others. ", "He wanted authority and probably did not have it," she said. 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. I'm just throwing this out there without research, but the isolated areas, where was Hilton at this time? On September 5th they were reported missing when their car was found abandoned at the New Kent rest stop on I-64. They called a highway patrolman who arrived on scene to make the gruesome discovery of the bodies of two young women in the car. Fred Atwell says this investigation into the leaked photos shouldn't be hard. Richard Keith Call Keith to his friends and family. The Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile (37km) scenic landscape/thoroughfare that links Virginias Historic Triangle. I thought for sure they wouldve been solved by now. A killer who prowled dark roads at night, who slashed and shot, who has remained a shadowy spectre for two decades. For two decades, the crime-scene pictures have been secret, critical evidence in the hunt for a serial murderer. Everybody loves the scenic views of a beautiful road. I was in disbelief for a while. Required fields are marked *. Even though the cause of death could not be determined, there were what appeared to be stab marks on Annamarias bones, suggesting she had been stabbed to death. Fred was considered something of a hero when he uncovered a slew of photographs leaked from the FBIs office in Norfolk. At least eight of these killings comprise the Colonial Parkway murders. All of these factors are critical to understanding the mystique that the murders still hold over the national narrative. It was scary time back in the eighties!! Both victims were students at Christopher Newport University, not quite of legal age to drink, who were out on their first-ever date. The killer(s) drove Daniel and Annamaria back here in the darkness, killing them and covering their bodies in an electric blanket. A number of people saw this on the parkway after the party, including his brother Chris. According to the Daily Press, Spingola was hired by Annamaria Phelps' family to look into the girl's murder. The crimes were thoroughly covered as much as is known and each victim became a flesh-and-blood person with much to live for. That means he's in charge of the Colonial Parkway cases. The murderer in the Colonial Parkway killings was never captured, and Steve Spingola, a private detective, believes he knows why. Finally, the killers scope and the geographical stretch of his spree make it near impossible to set up a proliferation point from which to work from, a range to actively stake-out. The FBI, working in unison with the regions law enforcement, had a victim criteria in their arsenal. Here is the story of perhaps the most infamous unsolved case in Virginia's history. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. This week Nic from the @TrueCrimeGarage podcast joins Bill and me for a roundtable discussion about the Colonial Parkway Murders. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. And, he says, he was ignored. In a way, the fact that such murders and foul deeds took place in that spot was nothing short of sacrilegious and a scar on the Parkways patriotic nature and what it represents. If Call wanted to make a good impression, it was his job to have her home by 2 a.m. From pull-offs featuring lush foliage, to memorials, tunnels, and bridges charged with centuries of American history, there's a little something for everyone. Everything seemed to be going fine as the pair moved their outing to a local party where they enjoyed themselves until around 1:30 a.m. Hailey was an 18-year-old college student. Atwell says he couldn't get a return call, until NewsChannel 3 got involved. Crime scene photograph of David Knoblings coveted Ford pickup at Ragged Island. Though this case has appeared in the media several times over the past 30+ years, it's still as mysterious as it is unique. Fred Atwell, a former Gloucester sheriff's deputy, says he has learned in the past month that his name is on a list of 130 suspects. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. From 1986 to 1989, four double homicides occurred either on or near the scenic, seemingly safe road. Rebeccas body was found in the backseat of the car, while Cathys was found stuffed into the hatchback. The refuge still has a reputation for being a place for a romantic spot and drug deals. Call loved going to the beach and was especially fond of his car. Another couple's remains were too decomposed to find the cause of death, but they were believed to have been stabbed multiple times, as Historic Mysteries details. They had been stabbed to death. A critical future was the way the perpetrator might have approached them. There was no evidence of sexual assault. I feel like for my husband and my sister-in-laws sake well, really the whole family just wants to know what happened to their loved one, Jennifer Phelps, Annamaria Phelps sister-in-law, told Richmond.com. I don't know the law, but I hope it does not, in any way, jeopardize the case if they do find somebody.". 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. In the beginning, the support was appreciated but over time, Atwell began acting strange, according to Thomas. The Virginia State Police did a casual investigation, during the panic galvanized by the murders, of Camp Peary and its soldiers. 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. Fred Atwell clearly rekindled the efforts of law enforcement on the Colonial Parkway murders with his release of the crime scene photographs to the media. He dropped Edwards off at her home, but later that night she snuck out to meet him. Multiple searches were conducted for Call and Hailey, but no other trace of them has ever been found. Almost immediately, the FBI announced it was conducting a top-to-bottom review of the cases in its jurisdiction. All the victims were from different backgrounds and demographics, making a profile an incredibly difficult task. The Parkway is surrounded by woods and has far fewer entries and exits than a typical highway. Ryan Noah Yawel Criminal Psychologist. By joining our list you will be entered into a contest for a free eBook, audio book or paperback of your choice! Both women had been strangled, and their throats were cut. According to Thomas, Atwell and his wife recently separated and he "has been wandering around in some capacity," he said. And he would find it. As the agent at the beginning of this diabolical coverage said: What made these murders stand out was the complexity of them.. 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. National Park Service . Edwards family members, meanwhile, grieved the lost opportunity to know the woman the teenager was becoming. But that's a recent development. The Colonial Parkway murders were the murders of at least eight people along the Colonial Parkway in South-East Virginia between 1986 and 1989. "Incredibly intrusive. 2023 Copyright Colonial Ghosts. "Last January he called me and said he had been contacted by an attorney outside the country who claimed to have a client who was involved in the murders. These contemporary photographs show the parking area where Keiths car was discovered. Their bodies were so decomposed, investigators were unable to determine a cause of death. The vision behind the Murder Accountability Project. 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. There were only two things the Colonial Parkway murder victims had in common: They were killed near Colonial Parkway, and they were killed in couples. I can only hope these murders, like other recent cases from decades back, can still be solved and the victims loved ones can get some answers (especially the Call and Hailey families, who dont even have the remains). However, her sister, Janette Santiago, told Lovers Lane Murders that Edwards, who she described as full of energy and not afraid of anything, had entered therapy and made remarkable progress in the months before her death. "I think any time you have things out there in the public domain of somebody's loved one, and this is still an open case, that yeah, that's a serious matter.". To the FBI, he was a suspect; to the victims family, he was a patsy. State police and local agencies are investigating the murders of Knobling, Edwards, Lauer, and Phelps. Atwell agreed to take a look - and he made copies. Daniel Lauer and Annamaria Phelps Most serial killers use the same methods each time. It is a pageantry of American history embroiled in dozens of tunnels and bridges that are incredibly charming and visually impacting. Cassandra Lee Hailey, 18, and Richard Keith Call, 20, dropped off the face of the Earth on that Spring evening. Atwell says a friend of his, a security-company owner, asked him last year to teach a class about the killings. "It's an unsolved crime, number one. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. It is easy to see how the vehicle was overlooked for so long. Finally, one of the most bizarre theories about the murders states that the killers identity was, in fact, a rogue CIA operative. Send that DNA to Parabon and get this case solved so the families can have some peace. The keys were still in the ignition, the door was open, and the windshield wipers were going. Wallace preyed on lower economic class Black women between 17 and 35 years old. Website design by Denver Local SEO Marketing CompanyA SPECIAL KIND OF EVIL Photo Gallery. And, as if that bit of info wasnt hair-raising enough, another independent study conducted by Dr. Mike Aamodt at Radford University actually confirmed Hargroves data and concluded that he might have lowballed the number. Someone has leaked graphic crime-scene photographs of the most notorious serial killings in Virginia history, the Colonial Parkway murders. Edwards had struggled with her mental health and was prone to running away and some reckless behavior. This, in turn, ratcheted up the media when they got a hold of the fact that Camp Peary is a training facility for the Central Intelligence Agency. But the murders have all remained unsolved. She enjoyed going to the Gap and dressing well, whatever the trend was. Rather, they were the work of multiple killers who coincidentally picked couples in the same area. Once again, despite the best investigative efforts of the police, the case went cold. Just to have the pictures floating around like that is very disrespectful.". One long night turned into four long years for [Read More], Famous Rock Stars, TV Celebrities, Stone Cold Conmen, A Daring Rescue of Kidnapped Kids, And More! Not him either. It's been over 30 years, and they're still missing without much of a trace. Three days later, their bodies washed up onto the beach at Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge. It's hard to say for certain, but one detective believed they figured out the cause back in 2010. Was it a serial killer or a coincidence?