VA VA - The Colonial Parkway Murders, 1986-89

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waunakeegan said:
@Kell1 what do you think about SK Ed Edwards' behavioral profile lining up with all the Colonial Parkway killings/disappearances, save for Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski’s murders? I promise I'm not an enthusiast of Cameron's theory about Edwards being responsible for killing everyone from the Black Dalahia to JonBenet lol. Edward's know MO and signatures have always struck me as very similar to most of the Colonial Parkway victims. I wouldn't bet the farm on him being involved or anything, but I think he's interesting to at least consider. If any of those cases have developed offender DNA and uploaded it to CODIS with no match, then Edwards would be out though since he should also be in CODIS.
Click to expand...


Without the pertinent case info on those cases, its impossible to say sadly

Capable yes, responsible? no one can know for sure unless theres evidence to link him to this set of particular crimes, even if he was in the area.

Behaviorally an impulsive sociopath like Edwards is capable of a lot of horrible things , and they usually are, and its often wide ranging , but that doesn't equal a linkage factor to these cases

A lot of killers could fit the bill for the CP killings, if you are to look at if from a suspect list , look at personality and infer behaviors they are "capable" of .

You could make that fit almost anyone, whats more reliable is to look at it from an evidence based behavioral standpoint and infer personality outward .
 
We have added some new episodes of "Mind Over Murder" where we answer questions from listeners regarding the Colonial Parkway Murders:

Ask Us Anything in Colonial Parkway Murders (Part 1): www.spreaker.com/user/11943504/mom-ep-168-final

Ask Us Anything in Colonial Parkway Murders (Part 2): www.spreaker.com/user/11943504/mom-ep-170-final

Ask Us Anything in Colonial Parkway Murders (Part 3): www.spreaker.com/user/11943504/mom-ep-171-final


If you want to ask us something, you can ask me here or on our Facebook pages for Mind Over Murder or the Colonial Parkway Murders.

Thanks.



Bill Thomas
 
I just finished listening to 2 of the episodes of "Who Killed", June 10 and 17. I'm glad to see this as these cases need an occasional kick start in the public.

One thing after listening that causes me to wonder, (1) if the same party is involved and (2) if more than person is involved.
Outside of trying control TWO persons I'm looking at the egress from the crime scene area. The second set - David Knobling and Robin Edwards - seems obvious. The killer likely drove up and left in a vehicle. But starting with the first case - Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski - it doesn't seem all that obvious if we're talking about one person. It's not likely the ladies were killed there so the killer drove the car there? If so, how did he leave? Outside of an accomplice, walking seems the only explanation. So the actual crime scene COULD have been only a mile or two away. In the 10 June episode it is mentioned about the noise made by a car on that rough pavement being heard 10-15 seconds before being seen. So maybe it is likely they could have hid each time.

The last case - Annamarie Phelps and David Lauer - seems like an accomplice is possible. The only explanation I can think of for a single killer is parking on the west bound side rest area and walking over to the east bound side. There he hijacks the two, has them drive to the next stop, commits the murders and drives back to his vehicle. If this is true - a random selection by the killer? Or with the money on David, maybe a marijuana purchase meeting - i.e., the killer knew they would be there at an appointed time.

Circling back around to the third case. Keith Call and Cassandra Hailey. This case is one I can't come up with an explanation for killing without a second party's help. The CP is outside their route to Cassandra's place and one or both apparently don't like the CP at night. So if the murders - and I believe they were murdered - occurred somewhere along the way home or they were abducted at Cassandra's place that is a long walk one way. I sometimes wonder if the third set had no relationship to the others and the car was put there to copy the first set of murders. After all, of the 4 sets it is the only one where neither the bodies nor the crime scene are ever found.

Just pondering out loud about just one aspect and whether or not there is a direct relationship between the four.
 
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JnRyan said:
I just finished listening to 2 of the episodes of "Who Killed", June 10 and 17. I'm glad to see this as these cases need an occasional kick start in the public.

One thing after listening that causes me to wonder, (1) if the same party is involved and (2) if more than person is involved.
Outside of trying control TWO persons I'm looking at the egress from the crime scene area. The second set - David Knobling and Robin Edwards - seems obvious. The killer likely drove up and left in a vehicle. But starting with the first case - Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski - it doesn't seem all that obvious if we're talking about one person. It's not likely the ladies were killed there so the killer drove the car there? If so, how did he leave? Outside of an accomplice, walking seems the only explanation. So the actual crime scene COULD have been only a mile or two away. In the 10 June episode it is mentioned about the noise made by a car on that rough pavement being heard 10-15 seconds before being seen. So maybe it is likely they could have hid each time.

The last case - Annamarie Phelps and David Lauer - seems like an accomplice is possible. The only explanation I can think of for a single killer is parking on the west bound side rest area and walking over to the east bound side. There he hijacks the two, has them drive to the next stop, commits the murders and drives back to his vehicle. If this is true - a random selection by the killer? Or with the money on David, maybe a marijuana purchase meeting - i.e., the killer knew they would be there at an appointed time.

Circling back around to the third case. Keith Call and Cassandra Hailey. This case is one I can't come up with an explanation for killing without a second party's help. The CP is outside their route to Cassandra's place and one or both apparently don't like the CP at night. So if the murders - and I believe they were murdered - occurred somewhere along the way home or they were abducted at Cassandra's place that is a long walk one way. I sometimes wonder if the third set had no relationship to the others and the car was put there to copy the first set of murders. After all, of the 4 sets it is the only one where neither the bodies nor the crime scene are ever found.

Just pondering out loud about just one aspect and whether or not there is a direct relationship between the four.
Click to expand...
I think Daniel and Annamarie may have been killed by someone who knew Daniel had a substantial amount of money on him that night and was probably a robbery gone tragically wrong.

I don’t think the four cases are the work of the same perpetrator, I’m not sure even if any of them are connected.

Like you, I’ve also wondered if Keith’s car was left on the parkway to confuse the investigators and make them think the disappearance was linked to the murders of Cathy and Becky.
 
JnRyan said:
I just finished listening to 2 of the episodes of "Who Killed", June 10 and 17. I'm glad to see this as these cases need an occasional kick start in the public.

One thing after listening that causes me to wonder, (1) if the same party is involved and (2) if more than person is involved.
Outside of trying control TWO persons I'm looking at the egress from the crime scene area. The second set - David Knobling and Robin Edwards - seems obvious. The killer likely drove up and left in a vehicle. But starting with the first case - Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski - it doesn't seem all that obvious if we're talking about one person. It's not likely the ladies were killed there so the killer drove the car there? If so, how did he leave? Outside of an accomplice, walking seems the only explanation. So the actual crime scene COULD have been only a mile or two away. In the 10 June episode it is mentioned about the noise made by a car on that rough pavement being heard 10-15 seconds before being seen. So maybe it is likely they could have hid each time.

The last case - Annamarie Phelps and David Lauer - seems like an accomplice is possible. The only explanation I can think of for a single killer is parking on the west bound side rest area and walking over to the east bound side. There he hijacks the two, has them drive to the next stop, commits the murders and drives back to his vehicle. If this is true - a random selection by the killer? Or with the money on David, maybe a marijuana purchase meeting - i.e., the killer knew they would be there at an appointed time.

Circling back around to the third case. Keith Call and Cassandra Hailey. This case is one I can't come up with an explanation for killing without a second party's help. The CP is outside their route to Cassandra's place and one or both apparently don't like the CP at night. So if the murders - and I believe they were murdered - occurred somewhere along the way home or they were abducted at Cassandra's place that is a long walk one way. I sometimes wonder if the third set had no relationship to the others and the car was put there to copy the first set of murders. After all, of the 4 sets it is the only one where neither the bodies nor the crime scene are ever found.

Just pondering out loud about just one aspect and whether or not there is a direct relationship between the four.
Click to expand...

I personally do not believe that the person who left Keith's car where it was found just got out and walked down the parkway unless he was stationed right there at Naval Weapons Station.

When I was a teenager my boyfriend and I were on the Jamestown side of the parkway and our car broke down.We had to walk quite a bit down towards the campground to find a phone.Luckily a lady picked us up and drove us to the campground.She had seen our car with the hazard lights flashing.Yes!I was scared chitless getting in her car but it was scarier walking down that parkway in the pitch black of night.This was in 1984.

Sorry to ramble.I just don't think whoever left Keith's car there left on foot.I believe there had to have been another vehicle involved.
 
In our next episode of Citizen Detective podcast, we will be covering the Colonial Parkway Murders, and focusing in particular on the first two murders, Cathy Thomas, and Rebecca Ann Dowski. We will be joined live by Cathy's Brother Bill Thomas @billthom56 who has been a wonderful advocate for his sister's case, and the series or murders overall.
We need some sleuths here to join us live and share your theories, and ideas. Maybe as a crowd, we can come up with some ideas on how to move this case forward. You can join us live Tuesday, August 9 at 9PM Eastern in the following spots-


Where do you tune in to take part, or watch?
Our Facebook homepage:
https://www.facebook.com/CitizenDetectivePodcast
Our Youtube page:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSgvqIuf4-sEF2aDdNGip2w
Our Twitch page:
https://www.twitch.tv/citizendetective
On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CitizenDPod

Call in during the live session(or any other time)and leave a voicemail-
https://www.speakpipe.com/citizendetective
 
morf13 said:
In our next episode of Citizen Detective podcast, we will be covering the Colonial Parkway Murders, and focusing in particular on the first two murders, Cathy Thomas, and Rebecca Ann Dowski. We will be joined live by Cathy's Brother Bill Thomas @billthom56 who has been a wonderful advocate for his sister's case, and the series or murders overall.
We need some sleuths here to join us live and share your theories, and ideas. Maybe as a crowd, we can come up with some ideas on how to move this case forward. You can join us live Tuesday, August 9 at 9PM Eastern in the following spots-


Where do you tune in to take part, or watch?
Our Facebook homepage:
https://www.facebook.com/CitizenDetectivePodcast
Our Youtube page:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSgvqIuf4-sEF2aDdNGip2w
Our Twitch page:
https://www.twitch.tv/citizendetective
On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CitizenDPod

Call in during the live session(or any other time)and leave a voicemail-
https://www.speakpipe.com/citizendetective
Click to expand...

Just a reminder, if any sleuths would like to join us, we are brainstorming the Colonial Parkway Murders, starting off w/ the murders of Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski
morf13 said:
In our next episode of Citizen Detective podcast, we will be covering the Colonial Parkway Murders, and focusing in particular on the first two murders, Cathy Thomas, and Rebecca Ann Dowski. We will be joined live by Cathy's Brother Bill Thomas @billthom56 who has been a wonderful advocate for his sister's case, and the series or murders overall.
We need some sleuths here to join us live and share your theories, and ideas. Maybe as a crowd, we can come up with some ideas on how to move this case forward. You can join us live Tuesday, August 9 at 9PM Eastern in the following spots-


Where do you tune in to take part, or watch?
Our Facebook homepage:
https://www.facebook.com/CitizenDetectivePodcast
Our Youtube page:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSgvqIuf4-sEF2aDdNGip2w
Our Twitch page:
https://www.twitch.tv/citizendetective
On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CitizenDPod

Call in during the live session(or any other time)and leave a voicemail-
https://www.speakpipe.com/citizendetective
Click to expand...
Just a reminder, if any sleuths would like to join us, we are brainstorming the Colonial Parkway Murders, starting off w/ the murders of Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski tonight Tuesday 8/9 at 9PM Eastern

Where do you tune in to take part, or watch?
Our Facebook homepage:
https://www.facebook.com/CitizenDetectivePodcast
Our Youtube page:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSgvqIuf4-sEF2aDdNGip2w
Our Twitch page:
https://www.twitch.tv/citizendetective
On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CitizenDPod

Call in during the live session(or any other time)and leave a voicemail-
https://www.speakpipe.com/citizendetective
 
morf13 said:
Just a reminder, if any sleuths would like to join us, we are brainstorming the Colonial Parkway Murders, starting off w/ the murders of Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski

Just a reminder, if any sleuths would like to join us, we are brainstorming the Colonial Parkway Murders, starting off w/ the murders of Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski tonight Tuesday 8/9 at 9PM Eastern

Where do you tune in to take part, or watch?
Our Facebook homepage:
https://www.facebook.com/CitizenDetectivePodcast
Our Youtube page:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSgvqIuf4-sEF2aDdNGip2w
Our Twitch page:
https://www.twitch.tv/citizendetective
On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CitizenDPod

Call in during the live session(or any other time)and leave a voicemail-
https://www.speakpipe.com/citizendetective
Click to expand...
My first time listening, it was very good. Bill Thomas is always informative and I learned even more details on this show. I'm sorry Bill and the other families have experienced so much frustration in getting the FBI to move this case forward for advanced testing of evidence.
 
Betty P said:
My first time listening, it was very good. Bill Thomas is always informative and I learned even more details on this show. I'm sorry Bill and the other families have experienced so much frustration in getting the FBI to move this case forward for advanced testing of evidence.
Click to expand...
Yes, very sad that these families don't have answers
 
Out now on EP 5 of Citizen Detective Podcast, Part 1 of 'The Colonial Parkway Murders'
When 27 year-old Cathy Thomas, and her girlfriend 21 year old Rebecca Ann Dowski were found brutally murdered in October, 1986 inside Cathy's White 1980 Honda Civic along Virginia's idyllic Colonial Parkway, police were at a loss over the brutality and senselessness of the murders. Both women had been bound, strangled, and their throats were cut. Their killer, or killers, had moved their vehicle and pushed it down on embankment towards the water after failing to burn the vehicle using kerosene. Cathy, a stockbroker who had a stellar background as a US Naval academy grad, and Rebecca, a senior at the college of William and Mary, did not seem to have enemies. But a closer look into their background revealed possible motives for the murders. Cathy had essentially been forced out of the Navy because of rules at that time that prohibited gay or Lesbian soldiers from serving in the military. Rebecca also had an ex-boyfriend who was upset with her for leaving him and starting a relationship with Cathy. While there were possible motives for the murders, investigators also needed to consider whether the two women were killed by a random stranger, and were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. It wouldn't be until more couples were murdered or went missing in the same area, that authorities began to suspect that a serial killer was roaming the Colonial Parkway. But were all of the cases actually connected, and was the same person or persons responsible for all of the cases?
In part 1 of our 2 part coverage of the Colonial Parkway Murders, we look very closely at the murders of Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Ann Dowski, aided by Cathy's brother, Bill Thomas, a staunch advocate for not just his sister's case, but all of the familied and cases in the Colonial Parkway series. He has worked tirelessly for over 3 decades trying to get answers in this case, one that remains unsolved to this day, and he shares the bumpy road he's had to travel to get justice; one that often has left him at odds with the investigators working the case, in particular the FBI. We are also joined by DNA expert Suzanna Ryan who shares her insights and expertise regarding the clues and physical evidence left behind by the killer, or killers.
If you have information about the Colonial Parkway Murders, please contact the Norfolk FBI at 757-455-0100 or send an e-mail to Colonial_Parkway_Murders@ic.fbi.gov

www.spreaker.com

The Colonial Parkway Murders Part 1

Episode 5 The Colonial Parkway Murders Part 1 When 27 year-old Cathy Thomas, and her girlfriend 21
www.spreaker.com www.spreaker.com
 
Refresher videos..

Could these two cold-case murders be part of the Colonial Parkway Murders?​

Mar 29, 2021

www.nbcnews.com

Dateline Crime Capsule: The Colonial Parkway Murders

Between 1986 and 1989, at least eight people were murdered near or along Virginia’s Colonial Parkway by an apparent serial killer. The killer has never been caught.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com

 
2 hours until showtime. Tonight on Citizen Detective podcast we tackle part 2 of The Colonial Parkway Murders in an episode jam packed with special guests and experts. Sleuths and Citizen Detectives we need your help!
Please join us live tonight at 9PM Eastern

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From two posts back:
"Their killer, or killers, had moved their vehicle and pushed it down an embankment toward the water after failing to burn the vehicle with kerosene."

My understanding is that it was instead diesel. Correct?
 
morf13 said:
2 hours until showtime. Tonight on Citizen Detective podcast we tackle part 2 of The Colonial Parkway Murders in an episode jam packed with special guests and experts. Sleuths and Citizen Detectives we need your help!
Please join us live tonight at 9PM Eastern

Leave us a voice mail at- Send a voice message to citizendetective
Where do you tune in to take part, or watch?
Our Facebook homepage:

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
Our Youtube page:
Our Twitch page:
On Twitter:
Click to expand...

Another great episode! Have to check out now, but will check out your page.
 
buyerninety said:
From two posts back:
"Their killer, or killers, had moved their vehicle and pushed it down an embankment toward the water after failing to burn the vehicle with kerosene."

My understanding is that it was instead diesel. Correct?
Click to expand...
Not sure if it has ever been confirmed if it was kerosene or diesel, i’ve read that the FBI refer to it as diesel.
 
I just heard about this case and read through the entire thread.
I hope this case will be solved! It's amazing your effort to keep this case up, Bill

Even I'm so far away (Brazil), I'll think about it and try to help you all
 
When I was a very young child we rode this road almost everyday. When I learned I asked my mom about it and she jusy replied we stopped taking that road. Can't believe I was on the same roads during the same times! This really is a baffling case and I sincerely they hope there are answers soon.
 
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