Nearly four decades after the Colonial Parkway murders first shocked Virginia, new DNA links have expanded the known scope of the case while raising questions about investigative accountability.
In this episode of "Zone 7," Sheryl McCollum is joined by Bill Thomas, whose sister Cathy Thomas was one of the original victims, and Kristin Dilley, his long-time investigative partner and co-host of the podcast, "Mind Over Murder."
They walk through the latest DNA identifications tied to Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., the procedural barriers that keep his profile out of CODIS, and the growing divide between state-level momentum and federal inaction.
Their discussion centers on what happens when evidence advances while communication and action stall.
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Guest Bios:
Bill Thomas is a victim advocate and the brother of Cathy Thomas, one of the original victims of the Colonial Parkway murders. For nearly four decades, he has worked with law enforcement, forensic experts, and journalists to seek answers in his sister’s case and accountability for all affected families. Bill is co-host of the podcast, "Mind Over Murder," where he focuses on cold cases, investigative transparency, and the systemic challenges families face in long-term homicide investigations.
Kristin Dilley is a true crime podcaster, researcher, writer, and teacher based in Williamsburg, Virginia. Kristin has worked alongside Bill Thomas for more than seven years and is the co-host of "Mind Over Murder," where she examines cold cases with an emphasis on evidence, patterns, and victim-centered accountability.
About the Host
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a Metro Atlanta Police Department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than 4 decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.
Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for "CSI: Atlanta" and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Social Links:
• Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
• Twitter: @149zone7
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
• Instagram: @officialzone7podcast
Preorder Sheryl’s upcoming book, "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Lessons in Life, Justice, and Joy from a Forensic Scientist," releasing May 2026 from Simon and Schuster.
Highlights:
• (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens Zone 7by addressing stalled accountability in long- running cold cases
• (0:45) Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley return to Zone 7 and reflect on their investigative partnership
• (2:00) Bill remembers his sister Cathy Thomas, her Naval Academy legacy, her character, and her friend Rebecca Ann Dowski
• (5:15) How advocacy and podcasting have helped families move forward on the Colonial Parkway murders
• (9:15) The January 2024 public announcement linking Allen Wade Wilmer Sr. to multiple victims
• (10:15) The confirmed DNA connection to Laurie Ann Powell
• (13:15) Why Wilmer’s DNA is not in CODIS despite evidence of sexual assault
• (17:00) Federal communication failures and the limits of victim services updates
• (19:15) The contrast between FBI silence and Virginia State Police persistence
• (22:45) Whether Cathy Thomas’s case is closer to resolution and what emerging patterns suggest
• (25:15) Evidence handling failures and the long-term consequences for families
• (33:15) Closing reflections on persistence, accountability, and the cost of waiting decades for answers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
49 min
Jan 27 20265 min
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