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 Lollie Winans |
 Julie Williams |
The bodies of Lollie Winans, 26, of Unity, ME and Julianne Marie Williams, 24, of St. Cloud, MN were discovered 8:30 p.m. on June 1, 1996 one-half mile off the trail and within three miles of the popular Skyland Lodge on Skyline Drive. The women's throats had been cut. Their mouths were gagged and their hands were bound. Law enforcement officials relayed that the women may have been dead several days before their bodies were discovered. The women were last seen on May 24 when a park ranger gave drove them to a parking lot across from the trail that leads to the crime scene.
Winans was a student at Unity College and worked as a volunteer at a rape crisis center. Their pet dog, a golden retriever named Taj, was found running loose in the area. The women were last seen the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend. They had planned to hike from Maine to Georgia. Both women were trained as guides for wilderness camping and hiking. One of the women's body was found inside their tent and the other was found outside. Robbery was apparently not a motive, however, it is believed Williams driver's license was taken by the killer.
Some believe that the women, a lesbian couple, were targeted because of their sexual orientation.
The following statement was read at a press conference on September 18, 1996, a week after what would have been Julie Williams' 25 birthday:
Our daughter, Julianne Williams, was a warm, caring, intelligent young woman who loved people, and who had a respect for nature and the environment. Julie would have been 25 years old on September 11th. We are here at Shenandoah Park to honor Julianne's 25th birthday in two ways; to visit the campsite where she died, and to ask for your help in finding her murderer.
First of all, we wanted to visit the campsite where Julie died. It is important for us to experience the park, and to visit the campsite where Julie spent her last days. We want to feel her presence in some way, to gain some sense of what she may have been thinking and feeling. On Monday, June 3rd, Tom visited the campsite where she was murdered; just over 24 hours after we were informed that Julie and Lollie had been found dead. As Tom has said, Julie picked the perfect spot, quiet, secluded, out under the trees and close to a stream. As we celebrate her life, the memory of her love of hiking and the outdoors, we know that she died in a place where she was enjoying herself, doing what she loved most. Julie was a happy and sensitive young woman who loved her family, nature and all people. Julie had a strong sense of justice and was sensitive to social issues, especially involving those who are oppressed. We have received hundreds of cards and letters, both from people who knew Julie, and from people who didn't know her, but were affected by her death. We will share some of those letters with you later.
The second reason we are here today is to give Julie to only birthday gift we feel it is in our power to give. And that gift is to bring attention to Julie's life and to Julie's murder. We are asking you, the media, for your help in keeping the news of Julie's and Lollie's deaths alive so that their murderer or murderers can be brought to justice. While there can never be justice for Julie and Lollie, finding their killer can provide us, and all those who mourn their deaths, some sense of peace and help with our grief. Finding their killer will also help to return to the woods some semblance of safety and tranquillity for everyone who enjoys the beauty of the outdoors and all the activities it has to offer.
We, and all of Julie's family and friends, thank you for being here today to listen to us talk about Julie, whom we love very much. And we thank you for your assistance in using your resources to help find Julie and Lollie's murderer(s). We are asking your readers and listeners to call with any information they may have. Maybe someone may have seen Julie and Lollie and Lollie's dog, Taj, in the park between May 19th and June 1st. Maybe someone may have seen something unusual in the park or elsewhere during this time frame. Maybe someone may have heard something in the weeks since that may be related to the murders. PLEASE call the FBI or park service. Any bit of information can be significant.
We thank you for being here with us in honor of Julie's birthday. Please help us in giving her this gift.
Suspect: Darrell David Rice
