GLOUCESTER, Va. – DNA evidence has linked a deceased Virginia fisherman to a series of brutal murders that occurred in the 1980s. Alan W. Wilmer, who passed away in 2017, is now believed to be responsible for a string of killings that had remained unsolved for decades, offering closure to the families of the victims.
Wilmer, who had no prior felonies, was not required to provide DNA until after his death. This made it difficult for investigators to link him to the murders that took place between 1986 and 1989, known as the “Colonial Parkway Murders.”
The alleged killing spree began in 1987, when Wilmer is suspected of murdering David Knobling, 20, and Robin Edwards, 14, whose bodies were found in a coastal nature preserve. Investigators believe that at least four couples were killed during this time near a scenic highway in Virginia.
In addition to the Colonial Parkway Murders, Wilmer is also suspected of killing Teresa Lynn Howell in Hampton in 1989. She was sexually assaulted and then strangled.
Despite the current evidence against him, Wilmer could not be charged with homicide due to his death in 2017. The Virginia State Police expressed gratitude to the families of the victims for their patience and understanding over the years.
Investigators are now seeking any additional information on Wilmer’s activities and have called on anyone who may have worked, hunted, or fished with him to come forward. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of DNA evidence in solving cold cases and providing closure to the families of victims.