The suspect, identified as Alan W. Wilmer Sr. by Virginia State Police, has been linked to the killings that occurred in 1987 and 1989. However, authorities have provided limited details about the nature of the connection or when Wilmer became a suspect. If alive, Wilmer would face charges related to these crimes, according to law enforcement officials.

Corinne Geller, a spokesperson for the Virginia State Police, explained during a news conference that revisiting cold cases involves thoroughly reexamining witness statements and evidence. This process is time-consuming and complex, but it has proven to be an effective strategy in solving such cases.

Investigators obtained Wilmer’s DNA legally after his death. Wilmer, who was not a convicted felon, did not have his DNA stored in any law enforcement databases. Notably, two of the three victims in these cold cases were sexually assaulted.

The “Colonial Parkway Murders” refer to a string of killings that took place between 1986 and 1989 along the scenic drive connecting Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown in southeastern Virginia. The victims were three couples, and a fourth couple is believed to have been killed, although their bodies were never found.

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. At present, there is no forensic or physical evidence directly linking this double homicide to the other cases, but investigations into the remaining cases are still ongoing.

Geller read a joint statement from the Knobling and Edwards families, expressing gratitude towards the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation. The statement mentioned the families’ 36-year-long struggle with living in uncertainty and fear, hoping that the person responsible for their loved ones’ deaths would not claim another victim.

Alan W. Wilmer Sr. has also been identified as the suspect in the 1989 slaying of Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell, 29, in the city of Hampton. However, her strangulation death is not connected to the “Colonial Parkway Murders.”

Howell’s body was found at a construction site approximately 11 miles away from where Knobling and Edwards were discovered nearly two years prior. She was last seen outside a popular nightclub. The Hampton Police Captain, Rebecca Warren, read a statement from Howell’s family, acknowledging the closure provided by the investigators after 34 years of seeking answers. However, the statement also emphasized that nothing could bring Terry back and the immense void caused by her absence.

Alan W. Wilmer Sr. died at the age of 63. Despite his death, investigators are actively pursuing leads related to the other killings and have not ruled out his potential involvement. They are currently reconstructing his movements and interactions throughout his lifetime to gather more evidence.

Known as “Pokey,” Wilmer drove a blue 1966 Dodge Fargo pickup truck with the license plate “EM-RAW.” He owned a small fishing boat named “the Denni Wade” and often resided on it while it was docked at various marinas in southeastern Virginia. Alongside his fishing activities, Wilmer operated a small business called “Better Tree Service.”

Brian Dugan, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s field office in Norfolk, appealed to anyone who had knowledge of Alan W. Wilmer Sr. to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigations. Dugan acknowledged that relationships and loyalties change over time, and people’s perspectives may evolve, potentially providing crucial information in solving these cases.