Tappahannock, Virginia – DNA evidence has linked a deceased Virginia fisherman to a series of brutal murders that occurred in the 1980s, bringing closure to the families of the victims after decades of uncertainty. Alan W. Wilmer, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 63 in Lancaster County, has been identified as the perpetrator behind the killings. This revelation provides a sense of relief for the families of the victims, who had long been searching for answers regarding their loved ones’ deaths.
Wilmer, who had no prior felonies to his name, was not a suspect during his lifetime, making it impossible for investigators to collect his DNA. It was only after his death that authorities were able to make the connection between Wilmer and the unsolved murders. The alleged killing spree began in 1987, with the murders of David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, in the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge.
The “Colonial Parkway Murders” involved at least four couples who were killed between 1986 and 1989 near a scenic highway connecting Jamestown, Williamsburg, and several other historical towns. The case had since become the subject of multiple documentaries, news programs, and investigative articles due to the lack of evidence linking Wilmer to the unsolved homicides.
In 1989, Wilmer is also suspected of murdering Teresa Lynn Howell, 29, in Hampton, located about 30 miles outside of Virginia Beach. Authorities have expressed gratitude to the families of the victims for their patience and understanding over the years and are still investigating whether Wilmer is responsible for any other crimes. They have asked anyone with information about Wilmer to come forward.
The Virginia State Police have called upon those who have worked, hunted, or fished with Wilmer over the years to reach out to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov. With the closure brought about by these findings, the hope is that the families of the victims can find some solace after enduring the pain and sorrow of losing their loved ones in such a violent and cruel manner.