In a major development, the FBI has identified the culprit behind a brutal sexual assault and murder case that took place almost three decades ago at a US national park. The victims, Julianne Williams, 24, and Laura Winans, 26, were found bound, gagged, and with their throats slashed at their campsite in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia on June 1, 1996.

New evidence has emerged, linking Walter Leo Jackson, a convicted rapist who died in 2018 at the age of 70 in an Ohio prison, to the heinous crime. The FBI conducted DNA tests, which confirmed a positive match to Jackson. He was a house painter with a history of charges related to kidnapping, multiple rapes, and assaults.

Authorities stated that there is no evidence suggesting that Williams and Winans were specifically targeted because of their sexual orientation. Both experienced hikers, the victims were last seen in the park nine days prior to the discovery of their bodies, accompanied by their golden retriever near Skyline Resort.

The case was reviewed by the local FBI office in 2021, leading to the testing of DNA evidence from the crime scene. The conclusive match to Jackson has allowed investigators to provide closure to the grieving families. "Those results confirmed we had the right man and finally could tell the victims' families we know who is responsible for this heinous crime," stated Stanley Meador, the FBI Richmond special agent in charge of the case.

Jackson, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, was known for his love of hiking and had visited Shenandoah National Park on several occasions, according to investigators. Initially, the murders were believed to be an anti-LGBT hate crime, causing shock and fear throughout the community. However, US Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh clarified that although the crime was brutal and hateful, there is no evidence to support it being classified as a hate crime.

It is worth noting that authorities had previously accused another man, whose alleged hatred towards women and gay people led them to believe he was responsible for the killings. However, forensic tests ruled him out as a suspect. This new revelation has finally brought a breakthrough in the long-standing case, shedding light on the true perpetrator behind the tragic murders.

The identification of Walter Leo Jackson as the serial rapist responsible for the sexual assault and murders of Julianne Williams and Laura Winans serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies to solve cold cases. As investigators continue to piece together the details surrounding this horrific crime, the families of the victims now have some closure, knowing that the person responsible has been identified.