The Virginia State Police, in cooperation with Isle of Wight Commonwealth’s Attorney Georgette Phillips, have identified Alan W. Wilmer, Sr. as the individual responsible for the 1988 homicide of Laurie Ann Powell. The breakthrough was made possible through recent advancements in DNA technology. Authorities stated that if Wilmer were still alive, charges would have been filed against him for Powell’s murder.
Laurie Ann Powell was last seen on March 8, 1988, walking along Route 614 toward Route 17 in Gloucester County. Her body was found on April 2, 1988, in the Elizabeth River near Craney Island; she had been stabbed multiple times and was 18 years old at the time of her death.
Wilmer died in Lancaster County in 2017 at age 63. In addition to being linked to Powell’s case, he was connected in 2024 to three other murders: David Knobling and Robin Edwards (Isle of Wight, 1987) and Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell (Hampton, 1989). The deaths of Knobling and Edwards are part of the cases known as the Colonial Parkway Murders.
Because Wilmer did not have any felony convictions during his lifetime, his DNA had not previously been collected. A genetic match to Wilmer was confirmed by the Virginia Department of Forensic Science in a “Certificate of Analysis” issued in 2023 using evidence from victims in Isle of Wight County and Hampton.
Investigators credited agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Chesapeake and Richmond Field Offices and analysts from the Homeland Security Division’s Violent Crime Analytical Support Team for their efforts. Additional support came from the Virginia Office of the Attorney General Jason Miyares through funding provided by the Virginia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), with testing conducted by DNA Labs International.
Powell’s sister, Cindy Kirchner, expressed gratitude for answers after decades without closure. She shared that she hopes people remember Laurie Ann as “the smart, vibrant, beautiful, and good-hearted person that she was.” Kirchner added that the tragedy changed her perspective on life and made her more aware of her surroundings—an awareness she has passed on to her daughter. The family has requested privacy as they process this development.
Authorities continue to investigate Wilmer’s past activities and encourage anyone who interacted with him—whether through work or social circles—to contact police with information. Wilmer was known by the nickname “Pokey,” stood about 5’5”, weighed around 165 pounds, had sandy-brown hair, blue eyes, a close-cropped beard, and drove a blue 1966 Dodge Fargo pickup truck with clamming equipment. He also owned a small commercial fishing boat called Denni Wade and operated Better Tree Service while living mainly as a fisherman during the late twentieth century.
