Virginia Creepers

Episode 6:

Colonial Parkway Murders: The Victims, the Evidence, and the Long Path to DNA Answers

In this episode, VA Creepers takes a detailed look at the Colonial Parkway murders, a series of killings that terrorized southeastern Virginia from 1986 to 1989. The discussion covers the victims, the geography of the Colonial Parkway, the investigation across multiple jurisdictions, and how DNA eventually pointed investigators toward Alan Wade Wilmer Sr.We discuss how the case evolved from a string of seemingly disconnected disappearances into a broader serial murder investigation, why the scenic road created both opportunity and danger, and why some families still lived for decades without full closure.

Key topics

• The episode opens with the hosts explaining why the Colonial Parkway murders hit close to home, since they both traveled the roadway as children and remember being warned not to go there after dark.
• VA Creepers outlines the scale of the case: at least eight confirmed victims, including four couples, with victims ranging in age from 14 to 29.
• The earliest murders discussed are Kathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski, whose relationship and the secluded nature of the Parkway led investigators to consider whether the attack may have been a hate crime.
• The Colonial Parkway itself is described as a scenic but isolated route linking Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg, with pull-offs and overlooks that made it known locally as Lover’s Lane.
• The episode highlights how the area’s mix of military influence, college life, and conservative social attitudes shaped both victim behavior and law enforcement assumptions.
• David Knobling and Robin Edwards are discussed as another brutal double homicide, with David’s truck found abandoned in a staged-looking scene and Robin, only 14, among the youngest victims.
• Keith Call and Cassandra Haley remain especially haunting because their bodies were never found, leaving their families without the closure that other victims’ relatives eventually received.
• Daniel Lauer and AnnaMarie Phelps are covered next, including the discovery of remains, signs of struggle, and evidence suggesting the victims may have been killed where they were found.
• The episode also explains how the murders of Lori Ann Powell and Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell were later linked through DNA, even though they were not initially seen as part of the same case.
• VA Creepers spends significant time on Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., a Lancaster County waterman who died in 2017 before being identified through modern DNA techniques as the suspect tied to multiple murders.
• The hosts repeatedly stress the multi-agency nature of the investigation, noting the roles of Virginia State Police, the FBI, local sheriffs, forensic scientists, and federal prosecutors.
• A major theme throughout is frustration that one man could appear to live a normal life for decades while the families of the victims waited for answers.

Research source: 

Murder on Virginia’s Colonial Parkway by Adrian Halden.

Connect with Virginia Creepers:

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• Email: [email protected]

Until our next adventure, keep Creepin’ it Real!!

Unsolved Case from 1895 Virginia: The Murder of Lucy Pollard and the Racial Justice Context

In this episode, we explore the intriguing and unresolved 1895 Virginia case of Lucy Jane Pollard, who was brutally murdered outside her home. Amidst the racial tensions and judicial injustices of the time, this case reveals much about the social and legal landscape of post-Reconstruction Virginia. The host dives into the investigation, the wrongful accusations, and the racial biases that influenced the outcome of the trial, along with compelling theories on who might have been responsible.

Key topics discussed:

The details of Lucy Pollard’s murder and the initial investigation

The arrest and trial of the Black suspects, including Solomon Marable, and the subsequent wrongful convictions

The racial biases and lack of legal protections for Black defendants in 1895 Virginia

The suspicious circumstances surrounding Lucy Pollard's death and potential motives of Edward Pollard

The possibility of hush money, cover-ups, and deeper social dynamics influencing the case

Reflection on how race and class affected justice then and implications for today

Resources & Links:

Resources & Links:

• A Murder in Virginia by Suzanne Lebsock — A detailed book on the case and social context
• Virginia Historical Society — Information on Virginia history
• Solomon Marable Case Details — Further reading on the case
• Richmond Planet Newspaper Archives — Primary source coverage of the case

Reflective questions for listeners:

What do you think really happened to Lucy Pollard?

How do racial biases continue to influence justice today?

Could modern forensics uncover new truths in this case?

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The case of Lucy Pollard remains a stark reminder of racial injustice and lost history. We hope this deep dive prompts reflection on how far justice has come—and how much further it needs to go.

Connect with Virginia Creepers:

• Instagram 
• TikTok 
• Email: [email protected]

Until our next adventure, keep Creepin’ it Real!!

Episode 4: Jamestown, First Landing and Cape Henry Light

Join us for a lively discussion about the history, sights, and personal experiences at Jamestown, the first landing site of English colonists in North America, and other landmark sites in Virginia. We share insights on the journey, the significance of the sites, and tips for visiting these historic locations.

• The voyage and early colonization of Jamestown (1607)
• Key historical landmarks in Virginia (First Landing State Park, Cape Henry Lighthouse)
• Personal reflections and tips for visitors (what to see, wear, and know)
• The history of the Ambler family and Jamestown estate
• Native American history and recent learnings

In this episode:

• The route taken by the ships and historical context of the 1607 voyage
• Details about the first landing, the ships involved, and the significance of the Discovery route
• The importance of First Landing State Park and what activities it offers
• The history of the Cape Henry Lighthouse and its connection to national security
• Personal stories from visits to Jamestown, including excavations and historic ruins
• Practical advice for visitors, including military base protocols and discounted entry options
• The story of the Ambler family and their dominance in Jamestown’s early history
• Reflection on the ongoing discoveries and the importance of preserving history

Resources & Links:

• First Landing State Park
• Cape Henry Lighthouse
• Email: [email protected]
• Ambler Family

Connect with Virginia Creepers:

• Instagram 
• TikTok 
• Email: [email protected]

Until our next adventure, keep Creepin’ it Real!!

Episode 4: Jamestown, First Landing and Cape Henry Light

Join us for a lively discussion about the history, sights, and personal experiences at Jamestown, the first landing site of English colonists in North America, and other landmark sites in Virginia. We share insights on the journey, the significance of the sites, and tips for visiting these historic locations.Main topics:

• The voyage and early colonization of Jamestown (1607)
• Key historical landmarks in Virginia (First Landing State Park, Cape Henry Lighthouse)
• Personal reflections and tips for visitors (what to see, wear, and know)
• The history of the Ambler family and Jamestown estate
• Native American history and recent learnings

In this episode:

• The route taken by the ships and historical context of the 1607 voyage
• Details about the first landing, the ships involved, and the significance of the Discovery route
• The importance of First Landing State Park and what activities it offers
• The history of the Cape Henry Lighthouse and its connection to national security
• Personal stories from visits to Jamestown, including excavations and historic ruins
• Practical advice for visitors, including military base protocols and discounted entry options
• The story of the Ambler family and their dominance in Jamestown’s early history
• Reflection on the ongoing discoveries and the importance of preserving history

Resources & Links:

• First Landing State Park
• Cape Henry Lighthouse
• Email: [email protected]
• Ambler Family

Connect with Virginia Creepers:

• Instagram 
• TikTok 
• Email: [email protected]

Until our next adventure, keep Creepin’ it Real!!

Episode 3: Poe Museum and Pocahontas Parkway

Join us as we uncover the fascinating history of Edgar Allan Poe's hometown, Richmond, VA, including a tour of the Poe Museum and its eerie artifacts. We also delve into the mysterious urban legends and paranormal tales surrounding the Pocahontas Parkway and its Native American history.

In this episode:

• A detailed recount of Poe's influence and connections to Richmond, including the Poe Museum’s history and exhibits
• The experience of visiting the Poe Museum and its unique artifacts, including Poe’s chair and the haunted gardens
• The legend of Poe’s black and white cats and their significance
• The ghostly tales of Native American warriors and drum beats along the Pocahontas Parkway
• The early history and construction of the Pocahontas Parkway, including its funding and engineering
• Paranormal reports from law enforcement and residents about Native spirits, ghost riders, and unexplained sounds
• The significance of Native American burial grounds beneath modern infrastructure
• Personal stories of hearing mysterious drums, voices, and spectral glimpses during night investigations
• Reflections on Virginia's haunted history and the importance of preserving these sites

Resources & Links:

• Poe Museum Richmond
• Virginia Department of Historic Resources
• Richmond's Old Henrico County Jail
• Virginia Native American Heritage
• Pocahontas Parkway

   https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/projects/pocahontas-parkway-richmond-airport-connector#:~:text=The%Pocahontas%20parkway%20(Route%20895,International%20Airport%20in%20Henrico%20County 

Connect with Virginia Creepers:

• Instagram 
• TikTok 
• Email: [email protected]

Explore Virginia’s Haunted History and Hidden Gems — and keep creeping it real!

Virginia Creepers Episode 1: Exploring Haunted Locations and Mysteries in King William CountyDiscover chilling stories and local legends from King William County, Virginia, including the spooky light of Cohoke, Civil War ghost trains, and indigenous history. Join us as we explore the mysteries, debunk myths, and share paranormal experiences from this historic region.In this episode:

• The legend of the mysterious yellow light at Cohoke and theories explaining its origins
• Debunking ghost train stories, including the headless brake man and Civil War train legends
• Personal paranormal encounters during investigations, including EVPs and EMF readings
• A deep dive into the history of King William County, its oldest courthouse, and Native American tribes
• Visiting the Pamunkey Indian Tribe Reservation and cultural significance
• The importance of exploring history and embracing the unknown through firsthand experience

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Virginia Creepers and episode overview

00:32 - Exploration of Virginia's haunted locations and legends

01:22 - Historical background of King William County

02:00 - The mystery of the Cohoke light and observed phenomena

02:57 - Debunking the train light with environmental and technical theories

04:26 - Exploring theories: swamp gas, alien phenomena, and house lights

06:46 - Historical ghost stories: Civil War train and headless brake man

08:11 - Personal experiences during investigations, EVP, rods, and EMF readings

12:40 - Debunking the Civil War train legend with historical records

13:10 - Possible extraterrestrial or unexplained origins of the light

14:39 - Speculation on local houses, holiday lights, or technology

17:04 - Notable paranormal activity around a nearby car and electronic interference

19:22 - Sharing research on King William County's history and Native tribes

23:57 - Insights into the Powhatan Confederacy and the Pamunkey Tribe

26:50 - Cultural traditions including powwows and tribal history

28:16 - Upcoming adventures and inviting listeners to share their own experiencesResources & Links:

• Mysterious Light of Cohoke
• King William County
• VA 250
• Department of Historic Resources
• Pamunkey Reservation
• Saving Places
• Chesapeake Bay Magazine

Connect with Virginia Creepers:

• Instagram 
• TikTok 

Note: All stories are based on local legends, personal experiences, and research. Listener discretion is advised.

Episode 2: Hollywood Cemetery and Richmond’s Dark History

# Haunted Hollywood Cemetery & Richmond's Dark HistoryDiscover the chilling legends and hidden histories of Hollywood Cemetery and Richmond, Virginia, as well as intriguing stories of historical tragedies, eerie spirits, and unethical medical practices. Join us for a deep dive into ghostly tales, civil war mysteries, and scandals that still echo today.In this episode:

• The haunted stories behind Hollywood Cemetery's Civil War graves, including presidents and Civil War generals
• Tales of the Richmond vampire, the mysterious creature fleeing to Hollywood Cemetery
• Legends of the WW Poole crypt and the story of a little girl’s haunted cast-iron dog
• Ghostly sounds from the 1869 Confederate pyramid and the legend of the moaning spirits
• The Capitol Disaster of 1870: tragedy and political chaos in Richmond
• Dark history of body snatching and unethical organ transplants at MCV, including the story of Bruce Tucker
• How Virginia's laws about organ donation and consent evolved through dark medical cases

Resources & Links:

• Virginia's Civil War Graves & Legends
• First Heart Transplant & Brain Death
• Smithsonian Report on Bodies in Old Well
• Uncommonwealth.lva.virginia.gov/blog/2024/04/10/the-richmond-calamity-the-capitol-collapse-of-1870 
• Thedeadbelldotcom1.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/chirs-baker-the-ghoul-of-richmond

Connect with Virginia Creepers:

• Instagram 
• TikTok