Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Colonial Parkway Murders Update – New DNA Links and the CODIS Question
Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Cheryl McCollum (filling in as moderator), with guests Bill Thomas (brother of victim Kathy Thomas) and Kristen Dilley (co-host, “Mind Over Murder” podcast)

Overview of Episode Theme

This gripping episode dives into the ongoing investigation of the Colonial Parkway murders—eight (now ten+) mysterious killings from 1986 to 1989 in Virginia. The focus: the identification of new victims and a major suspect, Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., and a heated discussion over the bureaucratic and systemic obstacles hindering justice, notably the exclusion of Wilmer’s DNA from CODIS (national DNA database). Bill Thomas and Kristen Dilley offer an insider and advocate’s perspective, reflecting on investigative progress, justice for the victims, and the emotional toll of stonewalling by authorities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Backgrounds & the Cases

• Bill Thomas recounts his sister Kathy’s life and legacy:
  • “You meet her, you would never forget her ... She had bright red hair and bright blue eyes and ... peaches and cream complexion.” (Bill Thomas, 04:13–04:56)
  • Kathy’s trailblazing years at the U.S. Naval Academy, persistence, and impact on her family.
• Kristen Dilley’s partnership with Bill:
  • How their collaboration and podcasting work (“Mind Over Murder”) have brought national attention to the case.
    • “It has been ... not just a pleasure, but an honor ... to help these families ... move this case forward.” (Kristen Dilley, 07:36–08:10)

2. Breakthroughs: DNA Evidence and New Victims

• Identification of Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. as a primary suspect:
  • Wilmer, a waterman from Lancaster County, was linked via DNA to the 1987 murder of Robin Edwards and David Knobling and later to Teresa Howell and Laurie Ann Powell, expanding the known victim count. (Bill Thomas, 09:32–12:13)
• The concept of “Parkway adjacent” cases:
  • Kristen details that Laurie Ann Powell’s case—previously not part of the main eight—is now DNA linked to Wilmer, reinforcing broader suspicions of Wilmer’s reach.
    • "We got confirmation that Lorianne Powell had been linked to Wilmer via DNA ... That was the first ... we’d heard that she had been sexually assaulted." (Kristen Dilley, 13:38–14:47)
  • This revelation brings the count to at least 10 probable victims, and possibly more.

3. CODIS Controversy: Why Isn’t Wilmer’s DNA There?

• Despite Wilmer being posthumously identified as the perpetrator through DNA, his genetic profile is not in the national CODIS database—a fact Cheryl McCollum calls “disgusting” (15:27–15:41).
• Bill Thomas’ explanation and outrage:
  • "Because Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. … had never been charged with a crime, so his DNA is not in the CODIS system." (Bill Thomas, 16:04–17:17)
  • The hosts and guests agree this bureaucratic technicality fails the families and hinders connecting Wilmer to other cold cases.

4. Stonewalling by the FBI: Frustration and Advocacy

• Communication breakdown: Bill and Kristen express anger and exasperation over the FBI’s refusal to provide updates on Kathy’s case.
  • "Today's FBI ... refuse to speak to us, and I mean literally refuse to speak to us." (Bill Thomas, 20:00–21:35)
  • The only FBI communication is a monthly call from Victim Services with no new information.
• Contrast with Virginia State Police:
  • The VSP’s proactive evidence testing and transparency are praised.
    • "They're actually going out, applying for sexual assault kit initiative grants ... and sending out evidence ... they're getting results." (Bill Thomas, 23:00–24:05)

5. The Search for Further Answers

• Outstanding evidence questions:
  • Cheryl asks about the hairs found in Kathy’s hand and the viability of DNA testing—even after decades and confusion about the evidence’s existence.
    • "They’ve had so many different stories ... I finally blew up at one point, and my mom would not be proud of me for this." (Bill Thomas, 30:32–30:48)
  • Noteworthy: Kathy and Becky’s rape kits were destroyed as medical waste, on FBI orders, 8 years after the murders.
    • "They burned my sister and Becky Dowski’s rape kits as medical waste per order of the FBI." (Bill Thomas, 31:01–31:23)
• Advocacy for institutional change:
  • Kristen argues the burden should not be on families to press for DNA comparisons, legislation, and investigative action:
    • "It should not be up to the families ... to push forward for legislation and for change ... We should not be the ones driving this." (Kristen Dilley, 35:08–35:41)
  • Cheryl calls for a Wilmer task force or broader multi-state cold case review.

6. Community Support and Lasting Resolve

• Bill’s determination:
  • Cheryl: “Bill ain’t going nowhere.”
    • "If it were me, I would probably send him an email. I might call him. Heck, I might knock on the door ... and see if you can't explain the behavior in the past. But tell him what you're going to do going forward." (Cheryl McCollum, 38:17–38:38)
• Closing Statement:
  • “The delays are just unconscionable at this point. This can't take years every single time.” — Bill Thomas (quoted by Cheryl McCollum, 39:09–39:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kathy Thomas:

  • “The reason why Kathy Thomas succeeded at everything she did ... was because she worked harder than anyone you’d ever met to see things through.” — Bill Thomas (06:12–06:55)

• On the DNA match and investigation pace:

  • “We have four victims ... positively linked to Alan Wade Wilmer Sr... The question now becomes ... when are we going to get answers on how many of the other Colonial Parkway murders cases are linked to him and how many other potential victims are out there?” — Kristen Dilley (14:09–14:47)

• On official disregard:

  • “There is no excuse in an FBI agent at any level not responding to a victim's family. And I'm going to say it again. There is no excuse.” — Cheryl McCollum (18:49–19:27)

• CODIS frustration:

  • “Why are we protecting the rights of a dead serial killer over the rights of all of the families ... who've been waiting 36 to 39 years for answers?” — Bill Thomas (16:18–17:51)

• On evidence mishandling:

  • “They burned my sister and Becky Dowski’s rape kits as medical waste per order of the FBI. You can't make this stuff up.” — Bill Thomas (31:14–31:23)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------|------------------| | Kathy Thomas' background and legacy | 04:07–06:55 | | Discovery & expansion of Wilmer’s victim count | 09:32–14:47 | | Introduction of Laurie Ann Powell (new victim) | 12:13–14:47 | | CODIS system issues & Wilmer DNA controversy | 15:25–17:51 | | FBI communication and support shortcomings | 18:49–21:35 | | Praise for Virginia State Police's efforts | 23:00–24:05 | | Evidence mishandling & rape kit destruction | 30:32–31:28 | | Calls for community action and institutional change| 35:08–39:12 |

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is raw, candid, and at times emotional—reflecting the exhaustion of families fighting for answers and justice. There’s appreciation for dedicated investigators but trenchant criticism of institutional complacency, especially at the federal level. The hosts and guests are determined, pragmatic, and at times darkly humorous (“my name is Nancy Grace ... No, I’m just kidding”). The dialogue is a call for advocacy—insisting on action, transparency, and meaningful reform.

This episode serves as a thorough primer on the complexities and heartaches of cold case investigations, the power of DNA, and the pitfalls of bureaucracy. It makes clear that progress, while slow, is owed to unrelenting family and advocate vigilance.