Concerns about a possible serial killer in Lansing, Michigan, have the Big Ten college town on edge.
Earlier this month, the Lansing Police Department announced it was investigating the disturbing possibility that five recent deaths could be linked to an attacker believed to be hiding along the Lansing River Trail.
“I definitely think we need to be careful, but we also need to be rational,” Karen Holt, a criminology professor at Michigan State University, told Fox News Digital.
The Lansing River Trail near where Louis Woodruff was seriously injured and later died in the 300 block of East Oakland Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Lansing. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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Police said that in the last year five men had been attacked along the popular trail; one of the victims was found stabbed to death under a bridge.
“As someone who studies violence, the first thing that came to mind was the victims, their vulnerability and the method of violence,” Holt said.
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The Lansing River Trail near the 200 block of East Cesar Chavez Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Lansing. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
All of the victims were homeless, police said.
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“If we have a community where people can be attacked in this way, then I don’t necessarily know if we can call it a safe community,” Holt said.
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Lansing Police Chief Rob Backus speaks about the string of recent deaths along the Lansing River Trail during a news conference Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at police headquarters in downtown Lansing. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
She went on to say, “One of the trends among single or serial homicide perpetrators or just violent offenders is that they tend to prey on particularly vulnerable individuals.”
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She says homicide perpetrators often see these victims as individuals “who lack credibility” and may assume that preying on homeless victims “decreases the likelihood that they will be arrested.”
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Timeline of murders
- October 14, 2025 – Gino Chouinard, 54, was found unconscious along the trail. He died on October 27, 2025, and police said the cause of his death remained undetermined.
- July 9, 2026 – Denis Dunnebacke, 70, was found unresponsive under the Kalamazoo Street Bridge. He died on July 16, 2026, with his cause of death undetermined.
- July 13, 2026 – Robert Smith, 57, was found suffering from severe head trauma. He died on July 17, 2026, and the medical examiner ruled it a blunt force homicide.
- August 20, 2026 – Daniel Lusk, 22, was found fatally stabbed under the East Michigan Avenue bridge. Police said they arrested suspect Edward Joseph Smith, 23, on September 3 in connection with the stabbing.
- August 30, 2026 – Louis Woodruff, 57, was found under the Cesar Chavez Avenue East bridge with severe facial trauma. He died on September 1, 2026, with police saying his death was ruled a blunt force homicide.
Police in Lansing, Michigan, are investigating a possible serial killer who may be linked to five deaths along the Lansing River Trail. (FOX2 Detroit)
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On September 3, Edward Joseph Smith, 23, was arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of Daniel Lusk, 22.
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“I would like to know more about the relationship between this victim and the perpetrator,” she said. Police have not announced a motive in Lusk’s killing.
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Smith has not been charged with any crime or wrongdoing in the other four deaths.
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Lansing police are investigating a possible serial killer. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)
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Holt says Lusk’s murder “stands out” from other alleged murders in that the victim was stabbed – while the other four victims suffered some sort of head injury or possible blunt force trauma.
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Police have not yet confirmed the arrest of this possible serial killer.
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Holt maintains Lansing must remain vigilant.
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“My advice would be to not hike the trail. Maybe follow a different trail.”
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