The FBI has identified Walter Leo Jackson, a serial rapist who died in 2018, as the perpetrator of the brutal 1996 murders of Julianne Williams, 24, and Laura Winans, 26, in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.
Case Details
Williams and Winans, an experienced hiking couple, were found dead at their Virginia campsite on June 1, 1996. Both women were bound, gagged, and had their throats slashed. Their golden retriever was discovered unharmed nearby. The couple had been last seen by park personnel nine days before their bodies were found near Skyline Resort.
Breakthrough in the Investigation
In 2021, the local FBI office reviewed the cold case and conducted new DNA tests on evidence from the crime scene. The tests matched Jackson, a house painter from Ohio, who had a history of kidnapping, multiple rapes, and assaults.
“Those results confirmed we had the right man and finally could tell the victims’ families we know who is responsible for this heinous crime,” said Stanley Meador, the FBI Richmond special agent in charge of the case, in a statement on Thursday.
Background on the Suspect
Walter Leo Jackson, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, was an avid hiker and frequented Shenandoah National Park. Jackson died in 2018 at the age of 70 while serving a prison sentence for unrelated crimes.
Context and Initial Suspicions
The murders initially sparked fears of an anti-LGBT hate crime. However, US Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh clarified, “Make no mistake, this crime was brutal, this crime was definitely hateful, nevertheless we do not have any evidence” that it was a hate crime. Investigators found no direct evidence that the victims were targeted because of their sexual orientation.
Previous Wrongful Accusation
In 2001, authorities indicted Darrell David Rice, a computer programmer from Maryland, for the murders. Rice, who had pleaded guilty in 1998 to the attempted kidnap of a female bicyclist in Shenandoah National Park, was initially thought to have targeted the couple due to his hatred of women and gay people. However, forensic tests ultimately ruled him out as the murderer of Williams and Winans.
Community Impact
The brutal nature of the crime and the perceived anti-LGBT motivation had a profound impact, causing widespread shock and fear within the community. The resolution of this case brings some closure to the families and underscores the importance of advances in forensic science.
Summary
The FBI’s identification of Walter Leo Jackson as the murderer of Julianne Williams and Laura Winans closes a tragic chapter nearly three decades old. Despite the initial suspicion of a hate crime, investigators found no evidence supporting that theory. This breakthrough highlights the role of DNA testing in solving long-standing cases and brings a measure of justice to the victims and their families.
