Virginia Cold Cases Solved: Dead Fisherman Linked to 1980s Murders Identified

Suffolk, Virginia – DNA evidence has revealed a new suspect in three unsolved murders from the 1980s in Virginia. The suspect, Alan W. Wilmer Sr., was identified by Virginia State Police on Monday. Wilmer, who passed away in 2017, has been linked to the sexual assault and murder of a 14-year-old girl and two other homicides. Investigators were unable to collect and test his DNA during his lifetime due to his lack of felonies on his criminal record.

Wilmer is a suspect in the “Colonial Parkway Murders,” which involved the killing of two people and a series of other unsolved homicides in southeastern Virginia. Additionally, he has been linked to the 1989 murder of Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell in Hampton, Virginia. The family of the victims expressed relief and gratitude toward law enforcement for providing closure in these long-unsolved cases.

Wilmer was an avid hunter and owned a small commercial fishing boat. He was also known to frequent certain areas in Virginia. Law enforcement is urging anyone with information to come forward, as Wilmer remains a person of interest in other cases. The FBI is hopeful that additional information may tie him to other crimes.

This revelation brings a sense of closure and justice to the families of the victims, who have lived for decades with the fear and sorrow of not knowing who was responsible for their loved ones’ deaths. The identification of the suspect serves as a significant development in the pursuit of justice for these cold cases.