Post by Jay7777 on Jan 9, 2024 20:52:43 GMT
www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/has-mystery-serial-killer-been-found-police-id-fisherman-alan-wilmer-sr-as-suspect-linked-to-three-cold-cases-in-virginia-including-victims-of-colonial-parkway-murders/ar-AA1mHXp0?cvid=34108433a86e40709f28f4b5b2ed5748&ei=13
Has mystery serial killer been found? Police ID fisherman Alan Wilmer Sr as suspect linked to three cold cases in Virginia - including victims of Colonial Parkway Murders
Alan W. Wilmer Sr., 63, who died in December 2017, has been linked to three unsolved homicides that occurred in the late 1980s
David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were found shot in the head along the bank of the James River at Colonial Parkway in September 1987
Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell, 29, died of strangulation in Hampton in July 1989
A Virginia fisherman who died in 2017 has been linked to three unsolved homicides that occurred in the late 1980s - including two from a series of unsolved slayings known as the 'Colonial Parkway Murders'.
Alan W. Wilmer Sr., 63, is suspected to be behind the killing of David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, at Colonial Parkway in September 1987, police revealed Monday.
He has also been accused of the murder of Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell, 29, in Hampton in July 1989.
Officials confirmed both Edwards and Howell had been sexually assaulted and they would have charged Wilmer if he had been alive.
Authorities were only able to find a DNA-based link between Wilmer and the victims after he died in December 2017 since he was not a convicted felon, which meant his DNA was not in any law enforcement databases.
Once Wilmer's DNA was in the database, The Virginia Department of Forensic Science was able to find a connection and issue a 'Certificate of Analysis' confirming a genetic match between the suspect and the victims in 2023.
Corinne Geller, a Virginia State Police spokeswoman, said at a news conference: 'Part of the cold case philosophy is to go back over and start re-looking and going back through all the witness statements, all the evidence.
'And it's a very time consuming, very complex, but a very effective way.'
She also read aloud a joint statement from the families of Knobling and Edwards, which thanked the investigating law enforcement agencies.
'For 36 years, our families have lived in a vacuum of the unknown,' the statement said. 'We have lived with the fear of worrying that a person capable of deliberately killing Robin and David could attack and claim another victim.
'Now we have a sense of relief and justice knowing that he can no longer victimize another. His death will not allow us to seek out the answers to countless questions that have haunted us for so long.'
On September 22, 1987, Knobling and Edwards were found shot in the head, execution-style, after their bodies had washed up along the bank of the James River at Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge at Colonial Parkway.
The two had been missing since September 19, though Edwards' family initially thought she had run away as she had in the past.
Knobling had taken Edwards out with his younger brother and cousin that day. After he dropped her off that night, she snuck out to meet him.
It's unclear what they were doing together.
Knobling, who worked at his father's landscaping business, was expecting a baby with his longtime girlfriend.
Between the years of 1986-1989, eight men and women, including Knobling and Edwards, had been murdered at the Parkway.
Geller confirmed that no forensic or physical evidence currently links Wilmer to the remaining six murders, although the other cases are still active.
Hampton Police Captain Rebecca Warren also read aloud a statement from Howell's family that thanked investigators.
'Their dedication, relentless efforts and evolving technology have brought us closure that we have sought over the last 34 years,' the statement said. 'While we are grateful for the closure that has been provided, nothing will bring Terry back. The void left by her absence over the years is inexpressible.'
According to officials, Howell was last seen alive on July 1, 1989, at approximately 2.30am in the City of Hampton outside of the Zodiac Club - which no longer exists.
Later that same day, at approximately 10.10am, a construction crew discovered women's clothing near their work site. An unidentified woman was found dead shortly afterwards in the nearby wood line.
On July 4, 1989, a missing person report was filed in York County, identifying the female victim as Howell. Officials said she had died as a result of strangulation.
Geller said investigators are actively pursuing leads on the other killings and have not ruled anything out, including Wilmer's potential involvement.
Investigators are still working to reconstruct his movements and encounters with others during his lifetime.
Police said the suspect drove a distinctive, blue 1966 Dodge Fargo pickup truck with the Virginia license plate 'EM-RAW', one of several pickup trucks Wilmer was known to drive in the 80s and early 90s.
Wilmer also had a small commercial fishing boat named the Denni Wade, a 1976 custom-built wooden boat. This would be docked at marinas in Gloucester and Middlesex counties and around the Northern Neck. His trade during the 80s was as a fisherman, farming mainly clams and oysters.
Has mystery serial killer been found? Police ID fisherman Alan Wilmer Sr as suspect linked to three cold cases in Virginia - including victims of Colonial Parkway Murders
Alan W. Wilmer Sr., 63, who died in December 2017, has been linked to three unsolved homicides that occurred in the late 1980s
David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were found shot in the head along the bank of the James River at Colonial Parkway in September 1987
Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell, 29, died of strangulation in Hampton in July 1989
A Virginia fisherman who died in 2017 has been linked to three unsolved homicides that occurred in the late 1980s - including two from a series of unsolved slayings known as the 'Colonial Parkway Murders'.
Alan W. Wilmer Sr., 63, is suspected to be behind the killing of David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, at Colonial Parkway in September 1987, police revealed Monday.
He has also been accused of the murder of Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell, 29, in Hampton in July 1989.
Officials confirmed both Edwards and Howell had been sexually assaulted and they would have charged Wilmer if he had been alive.
Authorities were only able to find a DNA-based link between Wilmer and the victims after he died in December 2017 since he was not a convicted felon, which meant his DNA was not in any law enforcement databases.
Once Wilmer's DNA was in the database, The Virginia Department of Forensic Science was able to find a connection and issue a 'Certificate of Analysis' confirming a genetic match between the suspect and the victims in 2023.
Corinne Geller, a Virginia State Police spokeswoman, said at a news conference: 'Part of the cold case philosophy is to go back over and start re-looking and going back through all the witness statements, all the evidence.
'And it's a very time consuming, very complex, but a very effective way.'
She also read aloud a joint statement from the families of Knobling and Edwards, which thanked the investigating law enforcement agencies.
'For 36 years, our families have lived in a vacuum of the unknown,' the statement said. 'We have lived with the fear of worrying that a person capable of deliberately killing Robin and David could attack and claim another victim.
'Now we have a sense of relief and justice knowing that he can no longer victimize another. His death will not allow us to seek out the answers to countless questions that have haunted us for so long.'
On September 22, 1987, Knobling and Edwards were found shot in the head, execution-style, after their bodies had washed up along the bank of the James River at Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge at Colonial Parkway.
The two had been missing since September 19, though Edwards' family initially thought she had run away as she had in the past.
Knobling had taken Edwards out with his younger brother and cousin that day. After he dropped her off that night, she snuck out to meet him.
It's unclear what they were doing together.
Knobling, who worked at his father's landscaping business, was expecting a baby with his longtime girlfriend.
Between the years of 1986-1989, eight men and women, including Knobling and Edwards, had been murdered at the Parkway.
Geller confirmed that no forensic or physical evidence currently links Wilmer to the remaining six murders, although the other cases are still active.
Hampton Police Captain Rebecca Warren also read aloud a statement from Howell's family that thanked investigators.
'Their dedication, relentless efforts and evolving technology have brought us closure that we have sought over the last 34 years,' the statement said. 'While we are grateful for the closure that has been provided, nothing will bring Terry back. The void left by her absence over the years is inexpressible.'
According to officials, Howell was last seen alive on July 1, 1989, at approximately 2.30am in the City of Hampton outside of the Zodiac Club - which no longer exists.
Later that same day, at approximately 10.10am, a construction crew discovered women's clothing near their work site. An unidentified woman was found dead shortly afterwards in the nearby wood line.
On July 4, 1989, a missing person report was filed in York County, identifying the female victim as Howell. Officials said she had died as a result of strangulation.
Geller said investigators are actively pursuing leads on the other killings and have not ruled anything out, including Wilmer's potential involvement.
Investigators are still working to reconstruct his movements and encounters with others during his lifetime.
Police said the suspect drove a distinctive, blue 1966 Dodge Fargo pickup truck with the Virginia license plate 'EM-RAW', one of several pickup trucks Wilmer was known to drive in the 80s and early 90s.
Wilmer also had a small commercial fishing boat named the Denni Wade, a 1976 custom-built wooden boat. This would be docked at marinas in Gloucester and Middlesex counties and around the Northern Neck. His trade during the 80s was as a fisherman, farming mainly clams and oysters.
