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FBI Links Deceased Suspect to Colonial Parkway Murders

1/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The FBI linked Alan Wade Wilmer to the Colonial Parkway murders of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski, who were found murdered in 1986.
Wilmer died in 2017 and was previously connected to other murders in the area.
Advancements in forensic technology have aided the decades-long investigation, and Special Agent Dominique Evans stated the FBI remains committed to justice and seeks information on other unsolved Colonial Parkway cases in Virginia.

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Story summary

The FBI linked Alan Wade Wilmer to the Colonial Parkway murders of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski, who were found murdered in 1986.
Wilmer died in 2017 and was previously connected to other murders in the area.
Advancements in forensic technology have aided the decades-long investigation, and Special Agent Dominique Evans stated the FBI remains committed to justice and seeks information on other unsolved Colonial Parkway cases in Virginia.