Criminologist professor at Big Ten college offers warning to students as police probe possible serial killer

Concerns over a possible serial killer in Lansing, Michigan, have the Big Ten college town on edge.

Earlier this month, the Lansing Police Department announced it is investigating the unnerving possibility that five recent deaths may be connected to an attacker allegedly lurking along the Lansing River Trail.

"I definitely think we need to be cautious, but we also need to be rational," Karen Holt, a criminology professor at Michigan State University, told Fox News Digital.

The Lansing River Trail near to where Louis Woodruff was critically injured and later died in the 300 block of East Oakland Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Lansing. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

Police said over the last year five men were attacked along the popular trail; one of the victims was found stabbed to death under a bridge.

"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.

The Lansing River Trail near the 200 block of East Cesar Chavez Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Lansing. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

All the victims were homeless, police 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 said.

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Lansing Police Chief Rob Backus speaks about the string of recent deaths along the Lansing River Trail during a press conference on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at police headquarters in downtown Lansing. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

She continued, saying, "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."

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She says homicide offenders often see these victims as individuals "who lack credibility" and may assume that going after homeless victims "decreases the likelihood that they're going to be caught."

Timeline of killings

• Oct. 14, 2025 – Gino Chouinard, 54, was found unconscious along the trail. He died Oct. 27, 2025 and police said his cause of death remains undetermined.
• July 9, 2026 – Denis Dunnebacke, 70, was found unresponsive under the Kalamazoo Street bridge. He died July 16, 2026, with his cause of death undetermined.
• July 13, 2026 – Robert Smith, 57, was found suffering from severe head trauma. He died July 17, 2026, and the medical examiner ruled it a blunt force homicide.
• Aug. 20, 2026 – Daniel Lusk, 22, was found fatally stabbed under the East Michigan Avenue bridge. Police said they arrested suspect Edward Joseph Smith, 23, on Sept. 3, in connection to the stabbing.
• Aug. 30, 2026 – Louis Woodruff, 57, was found under the East Cesar Chavez Avenue bridge with severe facial trauma. He died Sept. 1, 2026, with police saying his death was ruled a blunt force homicide.

Police in Lansing, Michigan, are investigating a possible serial killer who may be linked to five deaths along the Lansing River Trail. (FOX2 Detroit)

On September 3, Edward Joseph Smith, 23, was arrested in connection to the deadly stabbing of Daniel Lusk, 22.

"I would love to learn more about the relationship between that victim and perpetrator," she said. Police have not announced any motive in Lusk's murder.

Smith has not been accused of any crime or wrongdoing in the four other deaths.

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Lansing Police are investigating a possible serial killer. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

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Holt says Lusk's murder "stands out" in comparison to the other alleged killings in that the victim was stabbed – whereas the other four victims suffered some sort of head injury or possible blunt force trauma.

Police have yet to confirm any arrest of this possible serial killer.

Holt maintains Lansing needs to remain vigilant.

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