Criminology professor urges caution as police probe possible serial killings in Lansing

The Lansing Police Department is examining a series of five deaths of homeless men discovered along the Lansing River Trail over the past year, ranging from undetermined causes to blunt-force and stabbing injuries. Professor Karen Holt, a criminology expert at Michigan State University, explained that perpetrators often target individuals they consider vulnerable and less likely to attract police attention. While Edward Joseph Smith has been taken into custody for the stabbing of 22-year-old Daniel Lusk, he has not been linked to the other four cases.

Police have not released a motive for any of the incidents. Holt emphasized that the community should remain alert, suggesting people either avoid the trail or use different paths until the situation is clarified.