CRIME
Dead Fisherman Identified As Suspect In 3 1980s Murders In Virginia, Possibly More
Virginia State Police
A fisherman who died in 2017 has been identified as the suspect in at least three cold case murders from the 1980s, and authorities are asking the public for help linking him to others, Virginia State Police said Monday.
Alan W. Wilmer Sr. was identified by DNA evidence as the primary suspect in the 1987 murders of David L. Knobling, 20, and Robin M. Edwards, 14, in Isle of Wight County, and the 1989 murder of Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell, 29, in the City of Hampton.
Wilmer died in December 2017 at age 63 in Lancaster County, Va., and with no felony record, his DNA was never obtained until it was required for identification after his death, police said.
Last year, after a renewed look into the cold cases, the Virginia Department of Forensic Science issued a certificate of analysis confirming a genetic match between Wilmer’s DNA and evidence collected in the three murders.
“I want to thank the Edwards, Knobling and Howell families for their patience and understanding over the years,” said Lt. Col. Tim Lyon, Director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation. “Only those who have suffered the loss of a child in this way can truly understand the depth of their sorrow; and the frustration over not knowing who was responsible for taking their loved ones life in such a violent and cruel way. I do hope the identification of the killer brings some sense of closure and peace for them.”
David L. Knobling, 20, and Robin M. Edwards, 14, were last seen alive on Sept. 19, 1987. On Sept. 23, their bodies were located along the shore of Ragged Island. Edwards had been sexually assaulted, and both had been fatally shot.
Their murders were one of four double murders that became known as the Colonial Parkway Murders committed in the area between 1986 and 1989.
Now, police are asking anyone who may have known Wilmer to speak with authorities investigating whether he may be connected to additional crimes.
“As investigators look toward solving other crimes the suspect may have committed, were asking the public to come forward and share information about any encounters they may have had with him,” said FBI Norfolk Special Agent in Charge Brian Dugan. “We recognize relationships and loyalties change over time, as do people and their perspectives. There are occasions where people who may have had knowledge of an incident didnt feel comfortable coming forward with that information in the past, but we want them to know its not too late for them to step forward.”
According to police, Wilmer is described as standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall, with sandy brown hair and blue eyes. He drover a distinctive blue 1966 Dodge Fargo pickup truck and had a small, custom commercial fishing boat named the Denni Wade.
He was known to dock at marinas in the counties of Gloucester and Middlesex, and around the Northern Neck. In the 1980s, he worked as a fisherman, farming mainly clams and oysters. He also ran a business called Better Tree Service, and belonged to at least one hunt club located in the Middle Peninsula region.
Anyone who may have worked with Wilmer, hunted with him, fished or docked alongside him, or otherwise knew him is asked to come forward to the FBI or Virginia State Police, or submit an anonymous tip.
TMX contributed to this article.
