Cops in Michigan are investigating five deaths that they believe could be connected, raising serious concerns about a possible killer targeting vulnerable men around Lansing.
According to the city of Lansing’s Police Chief Robert Backus, the killings happened along the Lansing River Trail between October of last year and August of this year.
Speaking at a press briefing about the possibly connected cases late last week, Backus said the violence appeared to escalate this summer, with four of the five victims discovered in July and August. Whoa…
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The victims were all white men between 22 and 70 years old, and police believe all were unhoused, according to Backus. Investigators also suspect the attacks happened during the early morning hours.
Four of the men suffered what appeared to be blunt-force trauma and serious facial injuries. However, police have not yet identified a weapon.
Backus said:
“We look for information. We look for trends. We look for patterns. And we have developed some.”
The five cases include 54-year-old Gino Chouinard, who was attacked in October 2025 and died days after being found. His cause of death was ultimately listed as undetermined.
Then came a disturbing series of deaths this summer. On July 9, 70-year-old Denis Dunnebacke was discovered beneath a bridge with facial injuries and covered in vomit. On July 13, 57-year-old Robert Smith was found unconscious and bleeding from his head; he later died, and his death was ruled a homicide.
On August 20, 22-year-old Daniel Lusk was found stabbed to death. In that case, police have actually just arrested a man named Edward Joseph Smith and charged him with open murder in connection with Lusk’s death. Lusk was the only victim who appears to have been stabbed, FYI.
And on August 30, 57-year-old Louis Woodruff was found beneath a bridge with facial injuries. His death was later ruled a homicide.
But police are NOT saying Smith is responsible for the other deaths. At least, not yet.
Backus said:
“I’ve mentioned that we have a suspect in custody for one of these incidents. And so, the question that’s been posed to us is, is this a suspect for all the incidents?”
That question remains unanswered. And it’s a scary one.
For now, the investigation continues as authorities work to determine whether these five deaths are truly connected, and whether someone dangerous is still out there.
What a scary situation. Serial killer or not, let’s hope that all the victims — and their loved ones — receive justice.
[Image via MEGA/WENN]