Lansing Police Probe Five River Trail Deaths

Lansing police are investigating whether five deaths of unhoused men along roughly a one-mile stretch of the River Trail over the past year are connected, but say they have not concluded that a serial killer is responsible. Investigators note that the victims were believed to have been lying down, possibly sleeping, and that four cases involved apparent blunt-force injuries to the face; the fifth victim was stabbed. A suspect has been charged in the stabbing death of 22-year-old Daniel Lusk, while medical examiner findings remain pending in some other cases. Police say a lack of witnesses and surveillance footage has hampered the investigations, and community members and advocates are calling for greater safety measures.