BONUS: Cold Red FBI Profilers Discuss Colonial Parkway Murders

This special crossover episode of Mind Over Murder and Cold Red features FBI profilers Jim and Ray discussing the unsolved Colonial Parkway murders, a series of killings from 1986 to 1989 in Virginia that have now expanded to include 10 victims, four of whom are confirmed linked to suspect Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. via DNA. Wilmer, a waterman and skilled hunter from Lancaster County, is believed to have used a variety of weapons—gun, strangulation, and stabbing—depending on opportunity and environment, reflecting a flexible modus operandi while maintaining a consistent sexual and control-based signature. The profilers analyze Wilmer’s behavior, including his use of a distinctive truck, his ability to impersonate law enforcement, and his strategic movement between waterways and inland areas, suggesting a highly calculated predator. New evidence, including the confirmation of Laurie Ann Powell as a victim and geographic profiling potential, has reignited investigative interest. The episode also explores Wilmer’s possible shift in dumping sites after FBI scrutiny in 1988 and the tragic fate of his three brothers, all now deceased, who may have been involved in other unsolved murders. The emotional weight of the case is underscored by Bill Thomas, whose sister was one of the victims, and his ongoing advocacy for justice. Key takeaways include: Wilmer’s behavior reflects a predator who adapted his methods based on opportunity and environment while maintaining a core sexual and control-driven signature; geographic profiling can help identify his comfort zone despite water-based crime scenes; the use of a fake authority persona (e.g., impersonating police) was likely a tactic to establish control and test victims; DNA evidence has been pivotal in expanding the case beyond the original eight victims; and the psychological profile of Wilmer suggests he was a highly intelligent, opportunistic offender who evolved over time, making him exceptionally difficult to catch. The episode underscores the importance of persistence, new forensic tools like DNA, and the value of expert profiling in cold cases.