Michigan police investigate possible serial killer on river trail

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 14 Oct, 18:14 · Archive

Lansing police are investigating whether five deaths along the Lansing River Trail over the past year may be connected to a single attacker. Police say all the victims were homeless. One victim was found stabbed to death under a bridge.

Edward Joseph Smith, 23, was arrested in connection with the deadly stabbing of Daniel Lusk, 22. Police have not announced any motive in Lusk's murder, and Smith has not been accused of any crime in the four other deaths.

Karen Holt, a criminology professor at Michigan State University, told Fox News Digital that residents should be cautious. She noted that violent offenders often target particularly vulnerable individuals, seeing homeless victims as those who 'lack credibility' and assuming that attacks on homeless people decrease the likelihood of being caught. '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,' she said.

How it is being reported

• Criminology professor shares warning to students amid possible serial killer near Michigan State UniversityLansing police are investigating a possible serial killer after five men were attacked on a river trail, prompting warnings from an MSU professor.New York Post · 14 Oct, 18:03
• Criminologist professor at Big Ten college offers warning to students as police probe possible serial killerA Michigan State University criminology professor warns Lansing residents to avoid the River Trail as police probe five possibly connected deaths.Fox News · 14 Oct, 11:00
• Criminologist professor at Big Ten college offers warning to students as police probe possible serial killerA Michigan State University criminology professor warns Lansing residents to avoid the River Trail as police probe five possibly connected deaths.Fox News · 14 Oct, 11:00

In this story: Lansing · Michigan State University · Karen Holt · Edward Joseph Smith · Daniel Lusk · Lansing River Trail

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