On the morning of March 2, 1996, 25-year-old Alicia Showalter Reynolds kissed her husband Mark goodbye at their home in Baltimore, Maryland, and set off on what should have been a routine drive. She was heading more than 150 miles south to Charlottesville, Virginia, to spend the day shopping with her mother, Sadie Showalter. Alicia left around 7:30 a.m., expecting to arrive at the mall by 10:30 a.m. She never made it.
By 11:00 a.m., Sadie began to worry. After waiting and calling Mark, who initially thought morning fog and drizzle might have slowed his wife’s trip, the family’s concern turned to panic as the hours passed with no word from Alicia. That evening, around 6:00 p.m., a Virginia state trooper discovered her car abandoned on the shoulder of U.S. Route 29 near Culpeper, Virginia — roughly 50 miles short of her destination. A white paper napkin was tucked under the windshield wiper, a common signal used by drivers in distress. Remarkably, the vehicle was in perfect working order, with no mechanical problems. It appeared Alicia had been deliberately lured out of her car.
A Pattern of Predatory Behavior
Alicia’s disappearance quickly drew major attention. Investigators set up roadblocks and appealed for witnesses. Several women soon came forward with chillingly similar stories. They described encountering a clean-cut white man in a dark-colored pickup truck along the same stretch of highway. The man would often pull over under the pretense of car trouble, crawl underneath vehicles as if inspecting them, and then strike up a polite conversation before offering the women a ride to the nearest phone.
FBI Special Agent Thomas Carter noted that the suspect appeared to be conducting “dry runs” — practicing his approach on potential victims to identify who might be vulnerable. In one incident a week earlier, a woman accepted a ride only to be assaulted; she escaped with a broken ankle. Other women reported the man becoming aggressive — pounding on steering wheels or muttering threats — when they refused his help.
Authorities believe Alicia was not chosen at random. She likely encountered the same methodical predator who had been testing his tactics on rural Virginia highways.
The Discovery That Confirmed Every Parent’s Worst Fear
For over two months, Alicia’s family clung to hope while law enforcement conducted extensive searches. Then, on May 7, 1996, her body was discovered in a wooded area approximately 15 miles southeast of Culpeper in the Lignum area. She had been murdered, most likely on the same day she disappeared. The exact cause of death was not publicly released at the time, though some reports later indicated strangulation.
The case became linked to a series of attempted abductions along Route 29, earning the unknown perpetrator the moniker “The Route 29 Stalker.” Despite multiple witness descriptions, composite sketches, and a massive investigation, no one was ever arrested for Alicia’s murder.
A Devastating Loss and Enduring Mystery
Alicia was remembered as a bright, loving young woman with her whole life ahead of her. Her tragic death left her husband, mother, and extended family devastated. The case remains one of Virginia’s most infamous unsolved highway murders and continues to be actively investigated by the Virginia State Police.
More than 29 years later, authorities still urge anyone with information about the clean-cut man in the dark pickup truck — or any details from that day on Route 29 — to come forward. Even small memories could finally bring justice for Alicia.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Virginia State Police or submit tips through their cold case database. A reward may be available for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Alicia Showalter Reynolds’ murder remains unsolved. Her family and investigators continue to seek answers.
If you have any information regarding this case, please reach out to law enforcement.