Lansing on Alert Over Possible Serial Killer Along River Trail

The community of Lansing, Michigan, is concerned about the possibility of a serial killer operating in the area. The Lansing Police Department is investigating five recent deaths that may be linked to an attacker lurking along the Lansing River Trail.

Karen Holt, a criminology professor at Michigan State University, stresses the need for both caution and rationality. She highlights the vulnerability of the victims and the nature of the violence involved. All the victims identified so far were homeless.

Recent Victims and Investigation

Within the past year, five men were attacked along this popular trail. One victim was found stabbed to death under a bridge. The timeline of the killings is as follows:

• October 14, 2025: Gino Chouinard, 54, was found unconscious along the trail. He passed away on October 27, 2025, with an undetermined cause of death.
• July 9, 2026: Denis Dunnebacke, 70, was found under the Kalamazoo Street bridge. He died on July 16, 2026, with an undetermined cause of death.
• July 13, 2026: Robert Smith, 57, suffered severe head trauma and died on July 17, 2026. His death was ruled a blunt force homicide.
• August 20, 2026: Daniel Lusk, 22, was fatally stabbed under the East Michigan Avenue bridge. A suspect, Edward Joseph Smith, 23, was arrested in connection to this stabbing on September 3.
• August 30, 2026: Louis Woodruff, 57, was found with severe facial trauma under the East Cesar Chavez Avenue bridge and died on September 1, 2026. His death was ruled a blunt force homicide.

The Ongoing Investigation

Lansing Police have arrested Edward Joseph Smith in connection with the stabbing of Daniel Lusk. However, there is no accusation of Smith being involved in the other four cases. Police have not identified a motive for Lusk’s murder. Holt notes that Lusk’s stabbing stands out compared to the other deaths, which involved head trauma or blunt force injuries.

The investigation continues, with no arrest yet for a potential serial killer. Holt advises the community to stay alert and avoid walking the trail for now.