Dead serial rapist linked to cold case murders from nearly 30 years ago: FBI

A convicted serial rapist is now believed to be responsible for the sexual assault and murders of a lesbian couple in Shenandoah National Park nearly 30 years ago, authorities said.

Walter Leo Jackson, Sr., killed, raped and then slashed the throats of Laura “Lollie” Winans and Julianne “Julie” Williams, whose bodies were found at a campsite inside the Virginia park June 1, 1996, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which said DNA evidence tied Jackson to the crimes.

Police believe the women were killed by Jackson on May 24, 1996.  

Genetic evidence recovered from the women’s remains and clothing were submitted to the national DNA index as authorities renewed efforts in 2021 to solve the case. A positive match was found for Jackson, who was 70 when he died six years ago inside an Ohio prison.

“Even though we had this DNA match, we took additional steps and compared evidence from” the murder victims “directly to” a cheek swab “containing Jackson’s DNA,” the FBI said. “Those results confirmed we had the right man and finally could tell the victim’s families we know who is responsible for this heinous crime.”

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said he hopes that after 28 years, the arrest “provides some small measure of solace” for the Winans and Williams families.

Jackson, who went by “Leo,” had a lengthy criminal history, including kidnapping, rapes, and assaults.

A residential painter by trade, Jackson was said to be an avid hiker who regularly visited Shenandoah National Park.

At the time of the murders, “we believe he was driving a 1984 Chestnut Brown AMC Eagle 30,” the FBI said. “Jackson later drove a 1979 model Ford Econoline 250 van. Jackson was known to use temporary tags, alter license plates, and frequently change vehicles.”