Five homeless men have died along Lansing's River Trail. Police fear the cases may be connected. Here's what we know.
Photo: Gpwitteveen / Wikimedia Commons
A one-mile stretch of the 20-mile River Trail — between downtown Lansing and Michigan State University — is the focus of the probe.
Photo: Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons (file photo)
Found Oct 14, 2025 with facial injuries. He died 13 days later. Cause of death: undetermined.
Photo: Aenet / Wikimedia Commons (file photo)
Found July 9, 2026, unresponsive with face injuries. He died a week later. Findings still pending.
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Found bleeding from the head on July 13, 2026. Died July 17. Ruled a homicide.
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Stabbed to death on Aug 20, 2026. Suspect Edward Joseph Smith, 23, is charged with open murder.
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Found with facial injuries Aug 30, 2026. Died Sept 1. Classified a homicide.
Photo: Aenet / Wikimedia Commons (file photo)
All were white men, 22 to 70, believed homeless. Most suffered blunt-force facial injuries — likely attacked overnight.
Photo: Dj1997 / Wikimedia Commons (file photo)
"We believe our victims were lying down, possibly even asleep," said Police Chief Robert Backus.
Photo: Tim Kiser / Wikimedia Commons (file photo)
"Do we have a serial killer in Lansing?" Investigators are probing whether the five cases are related.
Photo: Tim Kiser / Wikimedia Commons (file photo)
A suspect is in custody only in the Lusk stabbing case. The other four investigations remain active and fluid.
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Tip line for River Trail assaults: (517) 483-6023. Tips can also go to Crime Stoppers anonymously.
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All the details on the investigation — on The Nerdy Humourist.