Accident – death – Obituary News :

Fisherman Linked to Cold-Case Homicides in Virginia from the 1980s

A small-time fisherman, who passed away in 2017, has been connected to three unsolved homicides in Virginia from the 1980s. These include two cases that were part of a series of unresolved killings known as the “Colonial Parkway Murders,” as announced by law enforcement officials on Monday.

Virginia State Police Identify Suspect

The suspect in question has been identified by Virginia State Police as Alan W. Wilmer Sr. However, authorities have provided limited information about the specific connection between Wilmer and the 1980s killings, as well as the timing of his identification as a suspect. Despite this, law enforcement officials have confirmed that Wilmer would have faced charges if he were still alive.

Virginia State Police spokeswoman, Corinne Geller, explained during a news conference that revisiting witness statements and evidence is an integral part of the cold case investigation approach. She mentioned that this method is time-consuming and complex but has proven to be highly effective.

Investigators have revealed that they obtained Wilmer’s DNA legally after his demise. Since Wilmer had no prior felony convictions, his DNA was not present in any law enforcement databases. It is worth noting that two of the three victims in these cold cases were victims of sexual assault.

The Colonial Parkway Murders

The “Colonial Parkway Murders” involved the deaths of three couples, and it is suspected that a fourth couple also fell victim to the killer, although their bodies were never recovered. These slayings took place between 1986 and 1989, mainly along a scenic route connecting Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown in southeastern Virginia.

In 1987, the bodies of David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds near the south bank of the James River in Isle of Wight County. Geller clarified that, currently, there is no forensic or physical evidence connecting this double homicide to the other cases, but investigations into the other incidents are still ongoing.

Geller also shared a joint statement from the Knobling and Edwards families, expressing their gratitude towards the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation. The families had lived with uncertainty for 36 years and now feel relief and justice knowing that the perpetrator can no longer harm others. However, they acknowledged that there are still unanswered questions that haunt them.

Additional Homicide Case

Wilmer has also been identified as a suspect in the 1989 murder of Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell, 29, in the city of Hampton. Howell’s strangulation death is not directly connected to the “Colonial Parkway Murders.” Her body was discovered at a construction site, approximately 11 miles away from where Knobling and Edwards were found nearly two years earlier. Howell was last seen outside a popular nightclub.

Hampton Police Captain Rebecca Warren read a statement from Howell’s family, expressing their gratitude towards the investigators. The family stated that the closure provided by the investigation after 34 years is appreciated, but it cannot bring back their loved one, and the absence they have felt over the years is indescribable.

Ongoing Investigation and Suspect’s Background

Alan W. Wilmer Sr. passed away at the age of 63. Geller confirmed that investigators are actively pursuing leads on the other cold cases and have not ruled out Wilmer’s potential involvement. They are currently reconstructing his movements and interactions with others throughout his life.

Wilmer, also known as “Pokey,” drove a blue 1966 Dodge Fargo pickup truck with the license plate “EM-RAW,” while his small fishing boat, named “the Denni Wade,” was often docked at marinas in southeastern Virginia. He primarily earned a living through clamming and oystering but also operated a small business called “Better Tree Service.”

Brian Dugan, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s field office in Norfolk, urged anyone who knew Wilmer to come forward and assist with the investigation. Dugan acknowledged that relationships and loyalties can change over time, along with people’s perspectives.

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