Serial Killer Fears Surge On River Trail

Police officers gather behind yellow tape on a tree-lined sidewalk — Photo: Steve Sanchez Photos / Shutterstock

Lansing police are probing whether five men found dead or fatally injured along the River Trail were attacked by the same person, and three are confirmed homicides.

Story Highlights

Police are investigating five deaths of unhoused men along Lansing’s River Trail over 11 months.
Three cases are homicides; two remain undetermined or under investigation.
A Michigan State professor urged people to avoid the trail for now.
The mayor said the general public has not been targeted, citing overnight attacks on sleepers.

Police Confirm Active Probe Into Linked Cases

Lansing Police Chief Robert Backus said investigators are examining whether five cases along the River Trail are connected. He stated all five are active cases and that officers are looking at the possibility the deaths are related. Reporting says the cases occurred over about eleven months. Victims were unhoused White men who suffered fatal injuries overnight or early morning. Police have not confirmed a serial killer. The review focuses on timing, location, and victim patterns.

Officials said three of the five deaths are homicides. Two remain undetermined or open pending medical-examiner results and further evidence. One case involves a reported arrest in a stabbing under an East Michigan Avenue bridge, which could point to more than one offender. The available reports do not link that suspect to the other deaths at this time. Police are comparing scenes and timelines to test for shared methods or forensic ties.

Risk Focus: Overnight Sleepers Near The Trail

City leaders addressed who faces the highest risk while the probe continues. Lansing’s mayor said the attacks involved unhoused men sleeping along the trail overnight and that the wider public had not been targeted. That detail narrows the risk window to dark hours and secluded areas. Police urged awareness and cooperation with tips. The focus remains on patrols, evidence review, and interviews with people who use the trail or camp nearby.

Michigan State University increased awareness after media attention on the nearby trail. Karen Holt, an associate professor of criminal justice, advised people to avoid the River Trail for now and choose a different path. She called for caution and rational thinking as the facts develop. Her advice reflects the pattern under review, not insider access to case files. Police continue to lead the investigation and release official updates.

What “Serial” Means And Why Labels Matter

Law enforcement and researchers define serial murder as unlawful killings of two or more victims by the same offender in separate events. The key factor is linkage to one offender, not just number of victims or shared locations. In early stages, clusters can look similar for many reasons. That is why detectives test for common methods, weapons, or forensic matches before using the serial label publicly. Lansing police say they are still in that testing phase.

"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."

That's a Michigan State University criminology professor reacting to the possibility that a serial killer is targeting homeless men along the… pic.twitter.com/DuzyHDUEG7

— Fox True Crime (@FoxTrueCrime) October 14, 2026

Local residents want straight answers and quick action. Many feel the system misses warning signs and only moves after the damage is done. This case shows a gap people across the spectrum see often: vulnerable people live outdoors near public paths, and safety plans break down at night. Clear patrol coverage, working lights and cameras, shelter access, and fast lab work are basic steps that help the public and honor the victims’ dignity.