A New Comparison of Some Old Homicides

Unsolved Homicides Currently Included In Comparison:

1984 - Michael Margaret and Donna Hall - Henrico County, Va.
                   (Tuckahoe Creek - Deep Run- James River)

Cause of  Death:  Both victims found in a wooded area, had been drugged with high doses of Demoral and had died of multiple stab wounds with their throats cut.  Authorities described it as "overkill".  No sexual molestation has been mentioned in this case.  Mike fought back, more than likely wounding the assailant.  

Missing Items:  None mentioned.

Vehicle:  Mike's Jeep had been backed underneath some trees and the passenger's side door was left open.  Evidence at the scene (cigarette butts and a beer can) proved Mike and Donna had spent some time there on the red checkered blanket before the killer approached them.  The key's were left in the ignition.  The ash tray compartment was left open.  

DNA: A third blood type was found at the scene. 

History of Area:  The Seven Days Battle 

https://americancivilwar.com/campaigns/Peninsula_Campaign.html

1985-                                                            

1986 - Cathy Thomas and Rebecca Dowski - Colonial Pkwy, Va.
                                         (York River Area)

Cause of Death: Both women had been strangled to death with a rope, their throats had been cut almost to the point of decapitation.  Both bodies were found in the car, Becky in the back seat and Cathy in the hatch area.  Cathy had fought back and suffered a more brutal attack than Becky.  No sexual molestation has been mentioned in this case.

Missing Items:  None mentioned.

Vehicle:  With both bodies in Cathy's car which smelled as if it had been doused with diesel fuel.  The car had been pushed over an embankment in an effort to thrust it into the York River.  The driver's side door was left open.

DNA:  Cathy Thomas' body was discovered with a fist full of hair.  

History of Area:  

The Battle of Yorktown 

(which effected both Yorktown and Gloucester) 

https://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/620411.html

1987 - David Knobling and Robin Edwards - Colonial Pkwy, Va.
                                         (James River Area)

Cause of Death: David was shot once in the back of the shoulder and once in the head.  Robin was shot once in the head.  No sexual assault has been mentioned in this case.

Missing Items:  None mentioned.

Vehicle: Knobling's Ford pickup truck was located in the parking lot with the driver's side door hanging open with the window half way down, the wipers were slowly moving back and forth and the radio was on. 

DNA: None mentioned.

History of Area: 

An old railroad (Iowa Northern) runs parallel to the grey line on the map below.  All railroads are rich in history and most Civil War and Revolutionary War buffs are also railroad buffs.  

1988 - Cassandra Hailey and Keith Call - Colonial Pkwy, Va.

(York River Overlook Area)

Cause of Death: Never recovered.  

Missing Items: None mentioned.

Vehicle: Keith's car was in the parking lot.  Empty beer cans and most of their clothing were in the back seat.

DNA: None mentioned.

http://social.rollins.edu/wpsites/hist120/2012/09/27/revolutionary-battles-in-virginia/

1989 - Annamarie Phelps and Daniel Lauer - Colonial Pkwy, Va
             (New Kent Rest Area - Rumley Marsh - York River)

Cause of Death: Bodies found under a blanket.  The manner of death could not be determined, however there were signs that Phelps had been stabbed.  Nothing has been verified as to the state of the clothing or sexual assault.

Missing Items:  None mentioned.

Vehicle: Found parked on the long ramp at the rest area, the vehicle had remnants underneath of grass, mud and weeds, indicating the vehicle had possibly been moved.  

DNA: None mentioned.

History of Area: 

https://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/620507.html

1990 -                                                        

1991 -                                                        

1992 -                                                        

1993 -  

1994 - 

1995 -                                                        

1996 - Julie Williams and Lollie Winans - Elkton, Va Hawksbill                  Creek which flows into South Fork Shenendoah River

Cause of Death:  Both bodies were found nude.  Both had been bound, gagged and their throats had been slit. 

Missing Items: None mentioned.

Vehicle: The two were camping.  This happened at or near their campsite.  There has been no mention of the vehicle.

DNA:  No mention. 

https://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/historyculture/civil-war-connection-ii.htm

1997 - 

1998 - 

1999 - 

2000 - 

2001 - 

2002 - 

2003 - 

2004 - 

2005 -

2006 -

2007 -

2008 -

2009 - David Metzler and Heidi Childs - Caldwell Fields,                            Blacksburg, VA Craig Creek - New River   

Cause of Death: Metzler was shot by a rifle while sitting in his car.  Childs was shot outside of the car.  

Missing Items:  It was stated her purse was stolen. 

   

Vehicle: Parked at overlook containing the body of Metzler with Childs outside the vehicle.  

DNA:  None Mentioned.  

2010 - 

2011 -

2012 - Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins  - Evansdale, Iowa Cedar River

Cause of Death: Not released. 

Missing Items: None mentioned.

Vehicles: 2 bicycles found on a trail near Meyers Lake park.

DNA: None mentioned.

History of Area:

https://www.american-rails.com/wcfn.html

2013 -

2014 -

2015 -

2016 -

2017 - Liberty German and Abigail Williams February 13-14, 2017.- Delphi, Indiana 
            Deer Creek - Wabash River                                                   

Cause of Death:  Not released.  

Recently certain rumors have been debunked, such as the rumor that Libby's fingers were cut off.  Libby's mother, confirmed in a recent interview that Libby's fingers had not been cut off.  

She stated her fingers appeared dirty but were bruised.  

Visitors to the memorial stated both girls' faces were swollen and both were wearing scarves.  This leads people to assume their throats were cut, however this is yet to be verified by LE.  

Rumors say Libby was more brutally attacked than Abby.

There are also differing rumors as to whether or not the girls had been sexually assaulted. 

Missing Items: None mentioned.

Vehicle: None

DNA: According to Sgt. Holeman, "Very little".

History of Area: 

https://bridgehunter.com/in/carroll/high/

Those who hold a major interest in history, the Civil War, the Revolutionary war also hold the same interest in railroads, trestles and old bridges.

2018 -

My current review of the above crimes shows me these things that are common among all.

1.  Each crime involved two victims. (I will address this later)

2.  In all events the victims' bodies were discovered near a creek or waterway that leads to a major river.

3.  Each of these crimes were in an area that has a history of either War activity (Civil War, Revolutionary War), old Railroads which area also rich in history.  I will address the historical value in relation to these crimes later)

4. No sexual assault has been verified by LE in any of these cases.   In one of these cases a purse was stolen.

5. Various items of clothing (generally undergarments) were in some vehicles. 

I'm looking for more ideas from my readers.  What else would you look for as common links?  If you have any comments or suggestions please visit Evil Unsolved on Facebook.