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)MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO 2023 KILLING OF LAUREN HEIKE ON PHOENIX HIKING TRAILPolice 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.HUD’S HOMELESSNESS REFORMS PUT HUMAN LIVES AHEAD OF HOUSING BUREAUCRACYThe 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 of the victims were homeless, police said.CRIMINAL PROFILER REVEALS 'EXTREMELY RARE' RED FLAG IN CASE OF SUSPECTED SERIAL KILLER MIGRANT IN TEXAS"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.LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCASTLansing 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 goes on to say, "One of the patterns with either single or serial, homicide offenders or just violent offend...