News & Current Events
Nearly 40 Bodies Pulled From Austin’s Lady Bird Lake Since 2022, Sparking Serial Killer Speculation
After up to 19 bodies were recovered from a single lake in just three years, Americans are preparing for the possibility that a serial killer may be at large.
The US may have a serial killer on the loose if the killings of all 19 were connected.
Though one individual has’survived’ a purported attack and over a dozen corpses have been found in a single water system, authorities do not think that is the case.
Where the bodies were located
The bodies were found in Texas; specifically, all 19 were removed from Austin’s Lady Bird Lake.
Hearing that a body has been discovered washed up on the side of the river-like reservoir that runs through the centre of the city has been a regular event for locals since 2022.
In addition to being a part of the Colorado River, Lady Bird Lake is situated next to Downtown Austin’s thriving nightlife, particularly the well-known drinking district known as Rainey Street, which is now the name of the alleged serial killer that locals have nicknamed the “Rainey Street Ripper.”
What the police have said
Even though at least six of the victims found in the lake have unidentified causes of death, authorities have maintained that there is no murderer hiding in Austin and have only confirmed one case as a homicide.
Authorities claim the teen, whose identity has not yet been made public, was kayaking on the lake with his family when he went into the water and did not emerge, according to Fox 7 Austin.
Corporal Jose Mendez of the Austin Police Department told the outlet: “Another paddleboarder was here out on Lady Bird Lake and notified us that it appeared that an individual was deceased and floating on Lady Bird Lake.”
The force has previously responded to rumours on social media and has continuously denied reports that a serial killer is still at large.
Back in 2023, Austin Police Department posted on Facebook: “The Austin Police Department is aware of speculations regarding the recent drownings in Lady Bird Lake. Although these cases are still under investigation and evidence is being analyzed, at this time, there is no evidence in any of these cases to support allegations of foul play.”
“While each incident has occurred at the lake, the circumstances, exact locations, and demographics surrounding these cases vary. Our investigators approach every case with an open mind and objectively examine all available evidence.”
“We work closely with the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office, which conducts a parallel investigation into all deaths. The Medical Examiner performs autopsies in each of these types of death investigations. The results of these autopsies have not revealed any trauma to the bodies nor indication of foul play.”
It continued: “One common theme of the drownings in Austin this year is the combination of alcohol and easy access to Lady Bird Lake, which has numerous access points. Many of the access points can be challenging to see at night.”
“The parks in which most of these drownings have occurred are park areas that close at 10pm and occur after the park closes. We advise the public to follow the rules on park closures.”
Demographic of bodies pulled from lake
Sixty percent of the retrieved victims were between the ages of 39 and 49, while two teenagers were also found, according to Fox News 7.
Who is Jeff Jones?
Since he was discovered under a bridge and a toxicology test revealed that he had traces of benzodiazepines, which include the date-rape drug Rohypnol, Jeff Jones believes he survived an attack by the so-called “Rainey Street Ripper.”
The 39-year-old was having a bachelor party with about a dozen of his pals, whom he had flown over from Boston, Massachusetts, when the incident occurred in June 2023.
“Whoever they may be just missed the target and I hit the ground, and luckily because of that I didn’t drown,” Jones reported to the Mail Online last year.
“I just got lucky… Not many people can say they potentially survived a serial killer, so that’s a story I can tell, I guess.”
His remains were discovered at the base of the West Sixth Street Bridge, which spans Shoal Creek and empties into the Colorado River.
Before problems forced him to be induced once more, Jones went into a coma. He underwent surgeries, including having metal rods put to his back, but he has since fully recovered.
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