At a news conference Friday, Oct. 2, Lansing Police Chief Robert Backus said investigators have identified similarities among the cases. Police believe all five men were homeless and suspect some were injured overnight while lying down or sleeping.

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“Do we have a serial killer in Lansing?” Lansing Police Chief Robert Backus asked at the news conference. “We are looking at the idea, or possibility, that these may be related cases. We look for information, we look for patterns and we have developed some. For example, we believe that all of our victims are members of our unhoused community.” Backus added, “We suspect that in these instances, the injuries occur overnight, in the early morning hours. We believe that our victims in this case were lying down, potentially even sleeping.”

The five men were found dead or fatally injured along the trail over an approximately 11-month period:

• Gino Chouinard, 54: Died Oct. 27, 2025.
• Denis Dunnebacke, 70: Died July 16, 2026.
• Robert William Smith, 57: Died July 17, 2026.
• Daniel Lusk, 22: Died Aug. 20, 2026.
• Louis Woodruff, 57: Died Sept. 1, 2026.

Three deaths are classified as homicides. Chouinard’s cause of death remains undetermined, and findings in Dunnebacke’s case are pending. Police have not confirmed that the deaths are connected.

Edward Joseph Smith, 23, has been charged with open murder in Lusk’s stabbing death.

Backus said limited surveillance footage and a lack of witnesses have complicated the investigations. Police have increased patrols and added camera trailers along the trail.

Anyone with information can call the Lansing police tip line at 517-483-6023.