Dark Minds Season 2 Episode 7 The Colonial Parkway Murders

In Dark Minds season 2 episode 7, we delve into The Colonial Parkway Murders. The Colonial Parkway is a scenic route that winds through Virginia, connecting Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. In the late 1980s, a serial killer terrorized the area, taking the lives of at least eight people.

The episode begins with host M. William Phelps explaining how the killer targeted young couples, usually on weekends, when they were out for a drive or a picnic. Some victims were found in their cars, others on the side of the road. All had been brutally murdered.

Phelps introduces his guest for the episode, profiler John Kelly. Kelly worked on the case when he was with the FBI and has been studying it since then. He describes the Colonial Parkway Murders as one of the most perplexing cases he's ever encountered.

Phelps and Kelly begin by discussing the killer's methods. The victims were all shot, some with a small-caliber weapon, others with a larger one. The killer took great care to leave no evidence behind, which has made it difficult for investigators to identify him.

Kelly explains that the killer was a predator who enjoyed controlling his victims. He likely started by watching couples from a distance, studying their behavior and planning his attack. He may have followed them for days or even weeks before striking.

Phelps and Kelly then discuss the various theories that have been proposed over the years. Some believe the killer was a park ranger or a law enforcement officer who used his position to gain trust and access to the victims. Others think the murders were the work of a serial killer who was active in the same time period in California.

Kelly shares his own theory, which is based on the killer's behavior. He believes the Colonial Parkway Murderer was a local man who knew the area well and had a history of being violent with women. He may have been in law enforcement or had some other position of authority, which would have given him the confidence to approach his victims.

Phelps and Kelly then examine the individual cases of the eight confirmed victims. They talk about the couples' backgrounds and activities leading up to their deaths, looking for any clues that might help identify the killer. They also discuss the differences between the crimes, including the fact that some victims were found with their hands bound or their abdomens slashed.

Throughout the episode, Phelps and Kelly interview investigators who worked on the case, as well as family members of the victims. They also visit the crime scenes, giving viewers a sense of the brutality of the murders and the beautiful but eerie landscape where they took place.

The episode ends with Phelps and Kelly discussing the possibility of solving the case. They agree that it will be difficult, given that many of the key players have since died or retired, and the physical evidence is so scarce. But they remain hopeful that someone, somewhere, holds the key to unlocking this decades-old mystery.

Overall, The Colonial Parkway Murders is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that highlights the complexities of investigating unsolved crimes. It's a must-watch for fans of true crime, particularly those interested in the psychology of serial murderers.