After nearly four decades of mystery, the FBI has announced a major breakthrough in the infamous Colonial Parkway murders — one of Virginia’s most haunting cold case series.
Thanks to advancements in forensic science and DNA technology, two of the killings have now been solved, bringing long-awaited answers to the victims’ families and renewed focus on a suspected serial killer.
FBI Solves Two Colonial Parkway Murders Using DNA
On January 20, the FBI Norfolk Field Office confirmed that the 1986 murders of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski were connected to Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., a man who died in 2017 at the age of 63.
This marks a major development in the Colonial Parkway homicide series, a string of unsolved killings that occurred between 1986 and 1989 in and around Virginia’s Colonial Parkway.
The victims, both young women, were found strangled and stabbed inside a vehicle parked along the scenic, but isolated Colonial Parkway. At the time of their deaths, Thomas was 27 and Dowski was 21. They had last been seen on October 9, 1986, at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
While it remains unclear whether the women were sexually assaulted, their brutal deaths shocked the community and became part of a chilling pattern involving young couples targeted in remote areas of the region.
Who Was Alan Wade Wilmer Sr.?
Alan Wilmer was a fisherman and hunter from Lancaster, Virginia. Though he died without ever facing charges for the Colonial Parkway killings, investigators now say DNA evidence has linked him to multiple murders.
In addition to Thomas and Dowski, Wilmer is also believed to be responsible for:
- The 1987 murders of David Knobling (20) and Robin M. Edwards (14) in Isle of Wight County
- The 1989 murder of Teresa Howell (29) in Hampton, Virginia
Reports also indicate that Edwards was sexually assaulted, further supporting the theory that Wilmer was a serial predator.
Despite being a suspect in the 1988 disappearances of Keith Call and Cassandra Hailey, Wilmer was previously cleared after passing a polygraph test, which at the time, limited further investigation into his involvement. Now, with DNA links confirmed, that earlier conclusion is being reconsidered.
Why Was Wilmer’s DNA Not in CODIS?
One of the key frustrations voiced by the families of the victims is that Wilmer’s DNA was never uploaded into CODIS, the national DNA database.
According to Bill Thomas, Cathleen Thomas’ brother, current laws prevent uploading the DNA of a deceased individual unless they were convicted of a crime during their lifetime — something Wilmer never was.
“Right now, the way the laws are set up, even though Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. is a serial killer and has killed at least six people … we do not have the capability to upload his DNA into CODIS,” said Bill Thomas.
Family members and advocates are now pushing for legislative changes that would allow DNA from deceased, credible suspects to be added to CODIS — a step that could potentially help solve many other cold cases.
A Legacy of Pain and Persistence
The Colonial Parkway murders involved at least eight victims, all young people, many in couples, whose lives were cut short under tragic circumstances. Over the years, more than 150 persons of interest were considered, but no one was ever charged—until now.
The FBI and local law enforcement agencies continued to work the case over the decades, with DNA breakthroughs and new investigative techniques slowly revealing long-hidden truths.
At the January 20 press conference, the families of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski gathered to hear the news of the case being solved. While the moment was emotional, it also brought a measure of closure — and hope for further answers.
Who Were the Victims?
- Cathleen Thomas was described by the FBI as vibrant, intelligent, and compassionate.
- Rebecca Dowski was known for her love of music and a bright future ahead of her.
The FBI paid tribute to both women, saying:
“Their lives were tragically cut short, but they were never forgotten by the investigators who continued to pursue justice on their behalf.”
