Five Deaths on River Trail Prompt Lansing Police Investigation
Lansing Police investigate five River Trail deaths for possible serial killer connections.
Event / Security
Lansing Serial Killer Investigation
Lansing, Michigan police are investigating five deaths along the River Trail as possibly connected to a serial killer. All victims were unhoused white males found between October 2025 and August 2026. Four victims showed blunt-force trauma to the facial area; one was stabbed. A suspect has been charged in one case but not in the others.
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2026-10-09 to 2026-10-30 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 9 Oct, 01:07 UTC
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What happened
Lansing Police establish tip line for River Trail assaults investigation
Lansing Police established a dedicated tip line for the River Trail assaults investigation, allowing the public to report information at 517-483-6023. Anonymous information can also be shared through Crime Stoppers at 4837867. Police Chief Backus noted the lack of surveillance footage and stated that additional cameras would aid the investigation.
Robert Smith found bleeding on Lansing River Trail, ruled homicide
On July 13, 2026, 57-year-old Robert Smith was found on the river trail unresponsive and bleeding from his head. He was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and pronounced dead on July 17, 2026. On September 17, 2026, the medical examiner's office ruled the cause of death as homicide.
Lansing Police investigate possible serial killer behind five deaths on River Trail
Lansing Police Chief Robert Backus announced on October 2, 2026, that police are investigating whether a serial killer may be responsible for five deaths along a one-mile stretch of the Lansing River Trail between Old Town and Kalamazoo Street. Backus stated that detectives are exploring whether the cases may be related, with all five victims identified as unhoused white males aged 22-70. Four victims suffered blunt-force trauma to the facial area; one was stabbed. Police believe attacks occurred overnight during early morning hours while victims were sleeping or lying down.
Gino Chouinard found with facial injuries on Lansing River Trail
On October 14, 2025, Lansing police responded to a call on the river trail in the 300 block of East Oakland and found 54-year-old Gino Chouinard with injuries to his face. He was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead on October 27, 2025. The medical examiner's office issued a finding of undetermined cause of death.
Daniel Lusk stabbed to death on Lansing River Trail; suspect charged
On August 20, 2026, 22-year-old Daniel Lusk was found stabbed to death on the Lansing River Trail. Police arrested Edward Joseph Smith in connection with the death. Smith was arraigned on September 3, 2026, and charged with open murder. Smith has not been named as a suspect or charged in the other four cases.
Louis Woodruff found with facial injuries under bridge, ruled homicide
On August 30, 2026, 57-year-old Louis Woodruff was found on the 200 block of East Caesar Chavez Avenue under the bridge with facial injuries. He was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and pronounced dead on September 1, 2026. The death was ruled a homicide.
Dennis Dunnebacke found unresponsive on Lansing River Trail
On July 9, 2026, Lansing police working on the river trail under the Kalamazoo Street Bridge located 70-year-old Dennis Dunnebacke unresponsive and covered in vomit with facial injuries. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead on July 15-16, 2026. The medical examiner has not issued a finding regarding the cause of death.
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