“Highway of Tears” Murders May Be Tied to Bobby Jack Fowler

on September 27, 2012 in Serial Killers, Unsubs by Brian Combs

Tags: Bobby Jack Fowler

Bobby Jack Fowler appears to be responsible for one or more murders in British Columbia. The cases were known as the “Highway of Tears” murders. Fowler died in prison in Oregon in 2006, after being convicted of kidnapping in the 1st degree, sexual abuse in the 1st degree, assault in the fourth degree, and menacing.

The Highway of Tears murders are 18 murders that occurred between 1969 and 2006. Fowler has long been a suspect in many of them, but could not be responsible for the final three, which happened after he was in prison.

DNA has linked Fowler to the 1974 killing of 16-year-old Colleen MacMillen. Colleen was last seen leaving home to hitchhike to a friend’s house. Her body was found on a logging road.

Fowler remains a strong suspect in the murders of Gale Weys and Pamela Darlington, both killed in 1973. He has yet to be ruled out in four of the other murders.

While all the Highway of Tears murders have been linked, at least in the public’s eye, it’s clear that we’re dealing with two or more offenders. Given the length of time involved, there could be several unsubs.

Fowler is also a strong suspect in the murders of Sheila Swanson, Melissa Sanders, Jennifer Esson and Kara Leas in Oregon in the early 90’s.