Multiple murders of homeless men along Michigan trail spark fears of possible serial killer

Concerns are growing over a potential serial killer in Lansing, Michigan, after police announced an investigation into five deaths that may be connected along the Lansing River Trail. All five victims were homeless men.

The deaths began on October 14, 2025, when 54-year-old Gino Chouinard was found unconscious along the trail. He died on Oct 27, with his cause of death undetermined.

On July 9, 2026, Denis Dunneback, 70, was found unresponsive under the Kalamazoo Street Bridge and later died on July 16. On July 13, Robert Smith, 57 was found suffering from severe head trauma and died four days later. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by blunt-force trauma.

On August 20, Daniel Lusk, 22, was found fatally stabbed beneath the East Michigan Avenue bridge. Police arrested 23-year-old Edward Joseph Smith on Sept. 3 in connection with the killing. On August 30, Louis Woodfruss, 57, was found beneath the East Cesar Chavez Avenue bridge with severe facial trauma. He died on September 1.

Smith has been arrested in connection with the August 20 killing but has not been accused of involvement in the other deaths.

Karen Holt, a criminology professor at Michigan State University, told Fox News that investigators and the public should be cautious about the possibility of a serial killer. 

"As someone who studies violence, the first thing that came to mind was the victims and the vulnerability of these victims and the method of the violence," Holt said.

"If we have a community where people can be attacked in this way, then I don't necessarily know that we can call it a safe community," Holt added. "One of the patterns with either single or serial homicide offenders or just violent offenders is that they tend to go after individuals who are particularly vulnerable." 

Holt suggested, "Don't walk the trail would be my advice. Maybe walk a different trail."