Janice Morgan

And don't worry, the Virginia State Police were just as confused. Because up to this point, Teresa's case hadn't been linked to the Colonial Parkway murders. It didn't fit the established profile. Because Teresa was seemingly killed alone. Teresa was last seen at a club on July 1st, 1989.

And don't worry, the Virginia State Police were just as confused. Because up to this point, Teresa's case hadn't been linked to the Colonial Parkway murders. It didn't fit the established profile. Because Teresa was seemingly killed alone. Teresa was last seen at a club on July 1st, 1989.

The next day, construction workers found women's clothes scattered across their worksite on the edge of a forest. As they continued looking around the area, they found a body in the woods. Teresa's. She'd been strangled to death and sexually assaulted. All less than 15 miles from where Robin and David were killed. With the DNA match, authorities had what they called a common suspect.

The next day, construction workers found women's clothes scattered across their worksite on the edge of a forest. As they continued looking around the area, they found a body in the woods. Teresa's. She'd been strangled to death and sexually assaulted. All less than 15 miles from where Robin and David were killed. With the DNA match, authorities had what they called a common suspect.

The trouble was, they didn't know whose DNA they had. So they dusted off the case files and reviewed old suspects. Maybe there was someone linked to both crimes. In the process, they learned that one of the suspects they'd cleared up had died. And in a random turn of events, the state had his DNA sample. I'm going to back up a second here.

The trouble was, they didn't know whose DNA they had. So they dusted off the case files and reviewed old suspects. Maybe there was someone linked to both crimes. In the process, they learned that one of the suspects they'd cleared up had died. And in a random turn of events, the state had his DNA sample. I'm going to back up a second here.

Back in 2017, a delivery driver noticed a house with an open door. Concerned, the driver walked up to alert the owners and got a shock. They quickly called the sheriff. When the authorities arrived, they found a dead body so severely decomposed, it required a DNA test to identify it. The test revealed it was Allen W. Wilmer Sr.

Back in 2017, a delivery driver noticed a house with an open door. Concerned, the driver walked up to alert the owners and got a shock. They quickly called the sheriff. When the authorities arrived, they found a dead body so severely decomposed, it required a DNA test to identify it. The test revealed it was Allen W. Wilmer Sr.

That's the suspicious fisherman who passed a polygraph test back in 1989, the one who went by Pokey. Because the DNA test was ordered by the state, they kept Wilmer's sample on file. So that's how the FBI was able to use a dead man's DNA to investigate him for a crime that happened 35 years before and resolve the case.

That's the suspicious fisherman who passed a polygraph test back in 1989, the one who went by Pokey. Because the DNA test was ordered by the state, they kept Wilmer's sample on file. So that's how the FBI was able to use a dead man's DNA to investigate him for a crime that happened 35 years before and resolve the case.

A test done in June 2023 confirmed that Alan Wade Wilmer's DNA matched the DNA found on Robin Edwards and Teresa Spa Howell. For the FBI, this proved his connection to their murders and in the murder of David Nobling, who was killed alongside Robin.

A test done in June 2023 confirmed that Alan Wade Wilmer's DNA matched the DNA found on Robin Edwards and Teresa Spa Howell. For the FBI, this proved his connection to their murders and in the murder of David Nobling, who was killed alongside Robin.

It is wild that we know this, because if Alan Wilmer had died surrounded by loved ones, or his body had been found sooner, there wouldn't have been a DNA test to identify his remains, and this case would still be cold. But like many serial killers, Wilmer was antisocial. Around town, he was known as a loner. He didn't maintain close relationships with anyone, not even his two adult children.

It is wild that we know this, because if Alan Wilmer had died surrounded by loved ones, or his body had been found sooner, there wouldn't have been a DNA test to identify his remains, and this case would still be cold. But like many serial killers, Wilmer was antisocial. Around town, he was known as a loner. He didn't maintain close relationships with anyone, not even his two adult children.

He stayed under the radar, which is what eventually linked him to the crimes, but it's also what makes this case more complicated. You see, Wilmer was never charged with a felony in his lifetime, which is why his DNA couldn't be tested sooner. And in America, dead people can't be charged with crimes posthumously. So technically, the police can't close the case.

He stayed under the radar, which is what eventually linked him to the crimes, but it's also what makes this case more complicated. You see, Wilmer was never charged with a felony in his lifetime, which is why his DNA couldn't be tested sooner. And in America, dead people can't be charged with crimes posthumously. So technically, the police can't close the case.

The most they can say is that it's, quote, resolved, and that if Wilmer were alive, he'd be arrested and facing murder charges. In fact, the Virginia Department of Forensic Science issued a formal certificate of analysis saying as much. And don't get me wrong, this is incredible resolution for the Edwards, Nobling, and Howell families. After 35 years, they finally got answers.

The most they can say is that it's, quote, resolved, and that if Wilmer were alive, he'd be arrested and facing murder charges. In fact, the Virginia Department of Forensic Science issued a formal certificate of analysis saying as much. And don't get me wrong, this is incredible resolution for the Edwards, Nobling, and Howell families. After 35 years, they finally got answers.

But it's harder for the other victims' families. You see, in America in 2025, if you're charged with a felony, the state can take your DNA sample and put it in a computer system called CODIS, which stands for Combined DNA Index System. CODIS is pretty impressive. It compares a given DNA sample to all DNA samples taken from crime scenes at once.

But it's harder for the other victims' families. You see, in America in 2025, if you're charged with a felony, the state can take your DNA sample and put it in a computer system called CODIS, which stands for Combined DNA Index System. CODIS is pretty impressive. It compares a given DNA sample to all DNA samples taken from crime scenes at once.