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SUFFOLK, VA: Former Northern Neck Resident Identified in Connection with 30-Year-Old Cold Case Homicides

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — In a significant breakthrough, authorities have identified a former Northern Neck resident, Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., in connection with two cold case homicides that occurred over 30 years ago. The city of Hampton Division of Police, Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Chesapeake Field Office, and FBI Norfolk Field Office held a press conference on Monday to share updates on these long-standing cases.

Details from Monday’s News Conference

During the press conference, officials revealed that Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., who passed away on December 15, 2017, at the age of 63 in Lancaster County, has been positively identified as the suspect. Due to the fact that he was never convicted of a felony, his DNA was not in the system, making it challenging to identify him as a suspect until now. DNA testing was crucial in confirming Wilmer Sr.’s identity after his decomposing body was discovered a month after his death. The Department of Forensic Science also examined other suspects during this process.

Using forensic evidence, investigators have now determined that Wilmer Sr. is responsible for a sexual assault and double homicide in Isle of Wight in September 1987, as well as a sexual assault and homicide in Hampton in July 1989. If he were alive today, he would be charged with both crimes. With the identification of Wilmer Sr., both cold cases are now officially closed.

Investigation: Could these two cold cases be part of the Colonial Parkway murders?

Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. has also been linked to a series of double murders from the 1980s known as the “Colonial Parkway Murders.” These murders have been closely followed by WAVY since they first occurred. The officials announced during the press conference that Wilmer Sr.’s DNA matched one of the cases dating back to September 21, 1987. The case involved the discovery of 20-year-old David Lee Knobling’s truck on Ragged Island, followed by the finding of two bodies along the shoreline two days later. The victims were identified as Knobling and 14-year-old Robin Margaret Edwards. Both had been shot in the back of the head, with Edwards also being sexually assaulted.

The Isle of Wight County double homicide was part of a series of four separate double homicides committed between 1986 and 1989, collectively known as the “Colonial Parkway Murders.” Although there are similarities between these cases, there is currently no forensic or physical evidence linking the Isle of Wight County homicides to the other double murders in York County and New Kent County. However, these cases remain active investigations.

Hampton Cold Case

In addition to the Colonial Parkway murders, Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. has also been connected to the July 1989 murder of 29-year-old Teresa Lynn Howell in Hampton. Howell was last seen alive outside the Zodiac Club on East Mercury Boulevard, which no longer exists. Construction crews discovered some women’s clothing at a work site on Butler Farm Road later that morning. A body was subsequently found in the nearby wood line, later identified as Howell. The investigation into Howell’s murder has been ongoing for the past 34 years, with the Hampton Police Division, Virginia State Police, and the FBI actively involved. The DNA profile for Wilmer was obtained legally after his death, enabling the positive link to Knobling, Edwards, and Howell’s homicides.

The advancements in DNA forensics have played a crucial role in solving these cold cases, highlighting the perseverance of the investigators throughout the years. The law enforcement officials are now seeking the public’s help in gathering more information about Alan Wilmer Sr. They have provided details about his vehicles, including a blue 1966 Dodge Fargo pickup truck, a white pickup truck, a van, and a silver 1989 Ford F-150. It is also known that Wilmer Sr. lived on a small commercial fishing boat called the Denni Wade, docking along rivers and the Chesapeake Bay in Gloucester, Middlesex counties, and the Northern Neck during the late 1980s.

If you have any information about Alan Wilmer Sr., please contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tip.fbi.gov. You can also reach out to the Virginia State Police by email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov. The Wilmer Family has released a statement expressing their shock and grief over Alan Wilmer Sr.’s crimes and expressing sympathy for the victims’ families and the community.

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