Survivors seek help in solving parkway-area slayings

By: Frank Green | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: October 19, 2010

More than two decades after the last of the slayings, survivors of the eight Colonial Parkway victims are holding a benefit Saturday to raise awareness and money for searches, investigations and anything else that might solve the crimes.

The public is invited to The Colonial Parkway Victims Benefit & Car Show fundraiser, which includes a silent auction and door prizes, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Johnny Rockets restaurant at 7300 Hancock Village Drive in Chesterfield County.

"We are hoping that this event could bring us some new leads to help solve our cases," said Jennifer Phelps, a sister-in-law of one of the victims. she said representatives of six of the eight families plan to attend.

The murders of eight people from 1986 to 1989 may have been the work of the same killer or murderers. Beyond the similarity of the crimes — young couples in "parking" situations in secluded areas — authorities say no other evidence has linked them.

More DNA testing is underway but an FBI spokeswoman said this week there was nothing new to report. Bill Thomas, brother of one of the victims, said the FBI told him last month there had been no conclusive results but that there may be some by the middle of this month.

Four of slayings are being investigated by the FBI because two of the victims — and two who disappeared and are presumed dead — were on federal property along the Colonial Parkway: Cathleen M. Thomas, 28, and Rebecca A. Dowski, 21, were found strangled with their throats slit in the back seat of Thomas’ car in 1986. Keith Call, 20, and Cassandra Hailey, 19, were never found after their car was discovered on a parkway overlook in 1988.

Four other slayings are being investigated by Virginia authorities: Annamaria Phelps, 18, and Daniel Lauer, 21, were found in woods near an Interstate 64 rest stop in New Kent County in 1989. The bodies of David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, of Newport News washed ashore on the James River at the Ragged Island Wildlife Refuge in 1987.