{
  "id": 12893888,
  "title": "Michigan Police Probe If Possible Serial Killer Behind Five Deaths",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/michigan-police-probe-if-possible-serial-killer-behind-five-deaths",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T15:24:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/michigan-police-probe-if-possible-serial-killer-behind-five-deaths-12541813"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Michigan police are investigating if a possible serial killer is responsible for a series of five deaths. These deaths occurred on the River Trail in Lansing, spanning approximately 20 miles. A mile-long portion between Old Town and Kalamazoo Street saw the deaths of five men, prompting Chief Robert Backus to question whether a serial killer might be at work. All victims were unhoused white males aged between 22 and 70, and police believe the incidents took place at night. The first victim, 54-year-old Gino Chouinard, was found with facial injuries on October 27. The cause of death remains undetermined. 70-year-old Dennis Dunnebacke was discovered covered in vomit and with facial injuries on July 15; he was pronounced dead that same day. Robert Smith, 57, was found bleeding from the head and pronounced dead on July 17 due to a life-threatening injury. On September 17, his death was officially ruled a homicide. 22-year-old Daniel Lusk was found stabbed to death on September 17, with a suspect, Edward Joseph Smith, arrested and charged with open murder. On September 1, 57-year-old Louis Woodruff was found with facial injuries and pronounced dead at the hospital, also ruled a homicide. Police have established a tip line for River Trail assaults, available at 517-483-6023, and also accepted anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 483-7867.",
  "summary": "“We are investigating all of these cases. They are all active investigations,” Lansing Police Chief Robert Backus said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Police probe possible serial killer behind five deaths on River Trail",
    "All victims were unhoused white males aged 22-70, killed at night",
    "Suspect Edward Joseph Smith arrested for one murder, Louis Woodruff"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}