Unsolved murders to get fresh eyes

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - WAVY.com is investigating the "Colonial Parkway Murders", a story we've been following since the first murders nearly 23 years ago, back in 1986.

Back in February, as part of our ongoing investigation, we met with the FBI, and although the Bureau would not comment on the case, the facts, or any new developments, we did get crime scene pictures.

Cassandra Hailey and Keith Call disappeared without a trace on April 10, 1988, while on their first date. Keith's red car was found on the Colonial Parkway. It is a matter of speculation as to whether they were abducted from the car while on the parkway, or they were abducted somewhere else and the car was left on the parkway. An FBI photo released to WAVY.com shows personal belongings left behind, something that haunts Call's sister to this day.

"That is the main question, 'What happened to my brother?' We don't know anything more than when it happened," Joyce Call says.

In an FBI picture you can see Cassandra and Keith's shoes and her purse on the seat. The disappearance was not robbery motivated, according to officials. "It tells me someone took them. Did something with them. Then came back to the crime scene, and threw their belongings in the car," Call says from her Gloucester County Home.

Her mother and father have both since died, never knowing whatever happened to their son.

An FBI photo shows tire impressions from a vehicle that could have been involved in taking away Keith and Cassandra.

The FBI is also investigating the October 12, 1986 murders of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski. Thomas was in the Navy and Dowski was a student at the College of William and Mary.

Nearly 23 years ago Thomas' car was found down an embankment. The bodies were found in the back seat with the throats slashed.  The killer, or killers, tried to burn the bodies. The car was searched for evidence, but no useful evidence was found. The back seat was kicked-in, indicating a possible struggle. Defensive wounds can be seen in crime scene pictures.

Are the cases connected? Could they possibly be connected to four other murders? Could this be a serial killer? The mystery has gone on for years. WAVY.com has learned the FBI and the State Police will soon meet to discuss who could be the Colonial Parkway killer.

"We are very hopeful for a fresh start. We want them to take a look. There's fresh technology so maybe they can find something. Find some type of a clue that they didn't have back then," Call says.

The FBI won't discuss the case that Joyce Call thinks about every day. She still remembers a WAVY-TV live shot that had Keith Call in it. He was waiting in line to buy U-2 concert tickets. Six months later, he'd disappeared.

"Not a day goes by that I don't think about my little brother and his friend...it's been traumatic, all the years not knowing, " Call says.

Again, the FBI, the State Police, other local agencies continue investigating what could be serial murders. We are told that meeting between the FBI and State Police could take place soon. The cases remain opened, and, of course, everyone involved is frustrated the cases remain unsolved.