Is there ‘a serial killer’ in Michigan? | Police say 5 deaths ‘may be related’

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by JESSICA A. BOTELHO | The National News Desk

0CommentShare storySharetopics: LansingMichiganSerial killerHomelessRiver TrailOpen murderHomicideMedical examinerLANSING, Mich. (TNND) — Michigan police said they are looking into whether five deaths along the Lansing River Trail are connected — and if a serial killer is responsible.

Is there 'a serial killer' in Michigan? | Police say 5 deaths 'may be related' (Video: CNN Newsource via WILX)

Lansing Police Chief Rob Backus addressed community concerns on Friday after multiple men were found dead or fatally hurt along the trail during the past 11 months.

Backus said police believe all five men were homeless, adding that they were all white and range in age from 22 to 70.

The chief said investigators believe injuries in several cases may have occurred overnight or in "the early morning hour" while they were lying down or sleeping. He added that the injuries included blunt force trauma.

Authorities identified patterns in some of the cases, but are still awaiting medical examiner findings in at least two deaths, Backus said.

The five cases include three deaths that police have classified as homicides, one death with an undetermined cause, and another still awaiting a medical examiner's finding.

In one case, 23-year-old Edward Joseph Smith was charged with open murder in the August stabbing death of Daniel Lusk, according to the Lansing State Journal. Police have not publicly identified suspects in the other cases.