Five deaths on Lansing River Trail: police probe serial killer link

Lansing police are investigating possible connections between five deaths along the River Trail, all involving unhoused men. A serial killer has not been ruled out.

Lansing River Trail deaths: police open tip line, refuse to rule out serial killer

Lansing police have established a dedicated public tip line as investigators look into whether five deaths along the Lansing River Trail over the past 11 months are connected, wilx.com reports. Police Chief Rob Backus held a press conference Friday to provide updates and address community safety concerns.

"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. He added that investigators have identified "some" trends and patterns, though not all medical information has yet been received.

All five victims were unhoused men. Backus said authorities believe the injuries occurred during overnight or early morning hours, with victims likely lying down or sleeping when attacked. When asked directly whether a serial killer could be responsible, Backus did not rule out the possibility.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the dedicated tip line at 517-483-6023.

The five cases

The first victim, 54-year-old Gino Chouinard, was found unconscious on East Oakland Avenue on 14 October 2025, with serious facial injuries. He died on 27 October. The medical examiner returned a finding of undetermined cause of death. No suspect information has been identified.

On 9 July, officers found 70-year-old Dennis Dunnebacke unresponsive under the Kalamazoo Street bridge around 1:30 p.m. He had apparent facial injuries and was covered in vomit. Hospital staff initially indicated the incident could be medical rather than criminal in nature, which led the department not to issue a press release at the time. Dunnebacke was pronounced dead on 16 July. The medical examiner has not yet issued a ruling in his case.

Four days later, on 13 July, 57-year-old Robert Smith was found bleeding from the head near East Oakland Avenue — the same location where Chouinard had been found. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and died on 17 July. Two weeks ago the medical examiner ruled his manner of death a homicide. "We recognised immediately that from the location and some of the common factors that this was very similar to Mr. Chouinard's death," Backus said. No suspect has been identified.

On 20 August, 22-year-old Daniel Lusk was found along the trail suffering from a stab wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities subsequently identified 23-year-old Edward Smith as the suspect; he has been charged with open murder.

The most recent case involves 57-year-old Louis Woodruff, found on 30 August in the 200 block of East Cesar Chavez in the Old Town section of the trail with severe facial injuries. He was pronounced dead on 1 September. Backus confirmed Friday that the case is classified as a homicide.

Backus clarified that beyond these five incidents, there are no other assault-related deaths recorded on the Lansing River Trail.

Safety measures deployed

In response to the cases, the Lansing Police Department has deployed camera trailers and increased patrols along the trail. The department is also evaluating the installation of permanent cameras at overpasses and bridges. Backus said officers have been working with local advocacy groups to discourage unhoused individuals from staying in those areas during overnight hours, resulting in a 50% reduction in people present at those locations.

All five cases remain active and, in Backus's words, "fluid."

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)