Nearly three decades after the brutal killings of two young women in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, federal authorities have identified a now-deceased serial rapist from Ohio as the likely perpetrator. The victims, Julianne “Julie” Williams, 24, and Laura “Lollie” Winans, 26, were found bound and gagged at their campsite in 1996.
The FBI recently announced that DNA evidence linked Walter “Leo” Jackson Sr., a convicted rapist from Ohio, to the crime scene. Jackson, who passed away in 2018, had a history of violent offenses, including kidnapping, rape, and assault.
The investigation into the long-unsolved case was reignited in 2021, leading to the breakthrough. DNA testing revealed a one in 2.6 trillion chance that the DNA found at the crime scene belonged to someone other than Jackson.
Authorities confirmed that both Williams and Winans were sexually assaulted, shedding light on the brutality of the crime. While there were initial concerns about a potential hate crime angle, investigators found no evidence that the victims were targeted due to their sexual orientation.
The families of the victims were informed of the new developments this week, providing some closure after years of uncertainty. The FBI emphasized their commitment to pursuing justice and exploring potential connections to other unsolved cases involving Jackson.
The tragic deaths of Williams and Winans, both avid hikers and environmental advocates, shook the LGBTQ+ community and sparked fear in the region. The women, accompanied by their golden retriever Taj, were last seen by park personnel in May 1996 before their bodies were discovered at their campsite a week later.
The case took a turn in 2001 when another man, Darrell David Rice, was initially arrested for the killings. However, forensic evidence later ruled him out as a suspect, highlighting the complexities of the investigation.
As the FBI continues its efforts to seek justice for the victims, the community remains hopeful that the truth will prevail in this decades-old mystery.
