Suffolk, Virginia – Virginia state police have revealed a breakthrough in the case of three unsolved homicides from the late 1980s. The deceased fisherman, Alan W. Wilmer Sr., has been linked to these brutal murders, which include the Colonial Parkway Murders. Wilmer, who passed away in 2017, has been identified as the prime suspect in the killings of David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, who were found shot in the head along the bank of the James River at Colonial Parkway in September 1987. Additionally, he has been accused of the murder of Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell, 29, in Hampton in July 1989.
Authorities have confirmed that both Edwards and Howell had been sexually assaulted, and they would have charged Wilmer if he had been alive. Investigators were able to find a DNA-based link between Wilmer and the victims after his death, as he was not a convicted felon and therefore not in any law enforcement databases.
The families of the victims have expressed gratitude towards law enforcement agencies for their relentless pursuit of justice. However, there remains uncertainty surrounding Wilmer’s potential involvement in the remaining six unsolved murders at the Parkway, as no forensic or physical evidence currently links him to those cases. Investigators are actively pursuing leads and reconstructing his movements during his lifetime.
The breakthrough in this decades-old case has provided a sense of relief and justice to the families of the victims, who have long harbored fear and worry. While closure has been provided, they emphasize that nothing will bring their loved ones back. The void left by their absence over the years is immeasurable, and this revelation does not answer the countless questions that have haunted them for so long.
In light of these developments, it is clear that the pursuit of justice for these victims is ongoing, as authorities remain dedicated to uncovering the truth. The link between Wilmer and these long-unsolved murders sheds new light on a tragic chapter in Virginia’s history, renewing hope for answers and closure for the families affected.