Colonial Parkway Killer
Much like the David Berkowitz Son of Sam killings a decade earlier, this serial killer would not hunt just individuals but target couples between 1986 and 1989. However, unlike Berkowitz, whose tally was six, it’s highly likely that the Colonial Parkway Killer claimed eight innocent lives. Their empty vehicles all were found along the Colonial Parkway in Virginia.
The lack of certainty regarding the numbers comes from the fact that the bodies of three couples were found murdered with their cars and belongings usually found only a matter of days later. However, a fourth car would be found with a few items of the couples clothing found inside. The police presume they met the same fate as the other three couples, although their bodies have never been found.
Theories abound with regards to not only who the perpetrator could be but their motive as well. There was no sign of a robbery as money and other valuables remained in the vehicles. Sexual assault was also ruled out for lack of evidence to the contrary.
As for the proposed killer, some believed it to be a police officer, or at least someone posing as one, supposing that such an individual would be able to pull over the vehicles without causing suspicion or alarm in the victims.
Retired Milwaukee detective, Steve Spingola, asserts that the killings were committed by more than one killer. However, a family member of one of the victims has openly questioned Spingola’s conclusion and motive, claiming that he sought to profit from covering the case. Much like two of the victims, the killer has yet to be discovered.
