Lansing Police Department is investigating five deaths along the Lansing River Trail near Michigan State University over the past year, raising concerns about a potential serial killer targeting individuals at night. The university has responded by enhancing security measures on its portion of the trail, including adding LED lighting and emergency phones equipped with public safety cameras. Dr. David Hayes, a criminologist, noted that these cases are challenging to investigate due to the lack of evidence left behind by unhoused victims.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-10,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Lansing Police Department is investigating a possible serial killer responsible for five deaths along the Lansing River Trail over the past year. The victims, ranging from 22 to 70 years old and all experiencing homelessness, were found with injuries consistent with blunt force trauma to the face. Police Chief Robert Backus stated during a briefing on October 2 that while four out of five cases involve facial injuries without an identified weapon, they are treating these deaths as potentially connected crimes. The trail is near Michigan State University, prompting heightened security measures there, including additional lighting and emergency phones. Authorities seek public assistance in identifying any patterns or suspects related to these incidents.
Written for “Michigan Serial Killer Investigation” on 2026-10-10,
grounded in this article and the 5 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 70269 · logged 2026-10-10
Dr. David Hayes, a criminologist, noted that investigating these crimes is incredibly difficult.
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investigating → note → crimes
Because unhoused individuals often lack the physical and digital "footprints" (like cell phone data or consistent daily routines) that housed people have, finding the "connective tissue" between the cases is much harder.
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finding → lack → cases
He emphasized that if the cases are connected, it is a tragic instance of a killer preying on highly vulnerable people.
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killer → emphasize → people
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NEWYou → listen → articles
A potential "serial killer" may be stalking a popular river trail near Michigan State University, where five deaths have fueled growing safety concerns.
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deaths → stalk → concerns
The Lansing Police Department announced it is investigating five deaths linked to the Lansing River Trail over the last year where a suspect may have been targeting and attacking people at night, police said.
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police → announce → night
Now, the university's Department of Police and Public Safety announced it is reminding students to be vigilant when going out at night.
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it → announce → night
The Lansing River Trail near to where Louis Woodruff was critically injured and later died in the 300 block of East Oakland Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Lansing.
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Woodruff → injure → Lansing
OLE MISS NAMES STUDENTS FOUND DEAD AS OFFICIAL ADDRESSES POTENTIAL FOR FOUL PLAY
In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety said in part:
"The MSU portion of the River Trail has upgraded security measures to include additional LED lighting and Green Light emergency phones with public safety cameras, and it is routinely patrolled by MSU Police Officers on bike patrols.
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it → find → patrols
We encourage students using the trail to remain aware of their surroundings and take reasonable precautions to help ensure their safety, especially at night.
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We → encourage → night
"
TWO OLE MISS STUDENTS FOUND DEAD AS PACKAGED KRATOM IS RECOVERED AT TWO SITES: OFFICIALS
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)
OLE MISS TOXICOLOGY REPORTS EXPECTED SOON AND RESULTS MAY TRIGGER ANTI-FENTANYL LAW, OFFICIAL SAYS
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OFFICIAL → find → LAW
Of the five deaths, the youngest victim was Daniel Lusk, 22, who was found fatally stabbed under the East Michigan Avenue bridge on Aug. 20.
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who → find → Aug.
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The stabbing occurred less than a mile from campus.
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stabbing → sign → campus
Students commute along the Red Cedar River on the campus of Michigan State University.
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Students → commute → University
Police say they are investigating five deaths along the Lansing River Trail.
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they → say → Trail
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Police arrested suspect Edward Joseph Smith, 23, on Sept. 3, in connection to that stabbing.
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Police → click → stabbing
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Smith has not been accused of any crime or involvement in the other four deaths.
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Smith → send → deaths
In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor said in part:
"The Lansing River Trail and our downtown remain safe for residents and visitors.
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Trail → send → residents
LPD has significantly increased their presence downtown and on the river trail at all hours of the day and night.
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LPD → increase → day
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Lansing Police Chief Rob Backus speaks about the string of recent deaths along the Lansing River Trail during a press conference on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at police headquarters in downtown Lansing. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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Backus → listen → Connect
The Lansing Police department said all of victims appear to be homeless White men.
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all → say → victims
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The investigation is active and ongoing.
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investigation → click → APP
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