Michigan Police Investigate Possible Serial Killer After String of Deaths Along River Trail

Lansing, Michigan police are investigating a series of five deaths that have occurred over the past year along the Lansing River Trail, with authorities exploring the possibility that they may be connected and perpetrated by a single individual. The trail runs through the city and extends onto the campus of Michigan State University.

Lansing Police Chief Rob Backus stated at a press conference that while all five cases are active investigations, investigators are considering the possibility that they are related. "One question that we’re being asked is, do we have a serial killer in Lansing? What we need the public to know, is we are investigating all of these cases. They are all active investigations, and we are looking at the idea or the possibility that these may be related cases," Backus said.

Four of the five incidents involved victims suffering blunt force trauma to the facial area. No weapon has been recovered in connection with these injuries. Police noted that the victims appear to be homeless, white men who may have been attacked while sleeping.

Timeline of Incidents

The series of deaths began on October 14, 2025, with the discovery of Gino Chouinard, 54, who was found unconscious along the trail. He died on October 27, 2025, though his cause of death remains undetermined. On July 9, 2026, Denis Dunnebacke, 70, was found unresponsive under the Kalamazoo Street bridge and died on July 16, 2026, with his cause of death also undetermined.

Robert Smith, 57, was discovered on July 13, 2026, suffering from severe head trauma. He died on July 17, 2026, and the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide due to blunt force trauma.

Daniel Lusk, 22, was found fatally stabbed under the East Michigan Avenue bridge on August 20, 2026. Edward Joseph Smith, 23, was arrested on September 3 in connection with this stabbing.

The most recent incident involved Louis Woodruff, 57, who was found under the East Cesar Chavez Avenue bridge on August 30, 2026, with severe facial trauma. He died on September 1, 2026, and his death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma.

While Edward Joseph Smith has been arrested and charged in connection with Daniel Lusk's stabbing, he has not been named a suspect or charged in the other four cases. Police are actively investigating all deaths and exploring whether a single perpetrator is responsible for all five incidents.