LANSING, Mich. — Lansing police are examining whether five deaths tied to the Lansing River Trail since October 2025 could be connected, as national coverage this weekend renewed questions about a possible serial offender in Michigan’s capital.
Police Chief Robert Backus told reporters the department is looking at whether the cases may be related and whether the crimes could represent a pattern targeting unhoused men. Authorities have not confirmed that a serial killer is responsible, and not all five deaths have been classified as homicides.
Mayor Andy Schor said a suspect in at least one of the deaths is in custody and police are checking all possible connections. Schor said the attacks targeted men who were unhoused and sleeping along the river trail overnight, particularly from midnight to 6 a.m., and that the general public has not been targeted.
The recreational pathway runs through Lansing, Mich., connecting parks, downtown and areas near Michigan State University in East Lansing. Investigators have noted similarities among several cases, including housing circumstances, injuries and locations where the men were found.
Officials have increased patrols and surveillance along the trail, including camera trailers and outreach to people sleeping outdoors. Michigan State University police have added lighting, emergency phones and bicycle patrols. No victims have been publicly identified as university students.
