Lansing Police Probe Possible Serial Killer Linked to Five Deaths Along River Trail

Lansing police investigate possible serial killer after five unhoused men found dead along River Trail. Chief confirms active cases.

Editorial Desk

October 8, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Lansing, Michigan — Authorities in Lansing are examining the possibility that a serial killer may be responsible for the deaths of five unhoused men found along a section of the River Trail.

The area between Old Town and Kalamazoo Street has become the focus of the investigation, with police confirming that all five cases remain open and under review. The victims, who ranged in age from 22 to 70, were all homeless and have been identified as Gino Chouinard, Dennis Dunnebacke, Robert Smith, Daniel Lusk, and Louis Woodruff.

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Lansing Police Chief Robert Backus emphasized that investigators are considering the possibility that the deaths could be connected. Criminologist David Hayes noted that the victims shared a common profile, often sleeping near bridges, making them vulnerable to violence. Meanwhile, Professor Karen Holt from Michigan State University pointed out that variations in the manner of death, such as one victim being stabbed, can complicate the investigation, but modern policing techniques may help uncover the truth.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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