A major breakthrough has brought long-awaited answers in one of Virginia’s most notorious cold cases, as the FBI announced it has identified the killer behind the 1986 murders of two young women. Federal investigators credited advances in forensic technology for finally closing the Colonial Parkway case after nearly 40 years.
The FBI Norfolk Field Office said new DNA and forensic analysis linked the murders of Cathleen Thomas, 27, and Rebecca Dowski, 21, to Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., a local fisherman who died in 2017. The two women were last seen together on Oct. 9, 1986, at the College of William and Mary before their bodies were later found inside their vehicle along the Colonial Parkway. They were stabbed and strangled, according to authorities.
Wilmer lived in Lancaster County and spent significant time near marinas in Gloucester and Middlesex counties. Investigators now say he was responsible for at least six murders and disappearances of young people in Virginia between 1986 and 1989. The FBI stated that if Wilmer had been alive, evidence would have supported federal prosecution.
Dominique Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI Norfolk Field Office, said, “I am incredibly proud of the work done by the men and women of FBI Norfolk, whose tenacity and commitment to justice never wavered.” She added, “We are thankful that advances in technology and DNA evidence allowed us to finally bring answers in this case.”
Family members attended the announcement, with Thomas’ brother telling local media he believes there may have been additional victims. The Colonial Parkway case remains a stark reminder of the enduring importance of perseverance, accountability, and justice for victims and their families.
