Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Concerns are mounting among Americans over the possibility of a serial killer on the prowl as up to 19 bodies have been recovered from the same lake over a three-year period.
If all 19 deaths are connected, it could suggest the presence of a serial killer in the US.
Nevertheless, authorities remain unconvinced, even though more than a dozen bodies have been found in the same water system, and there is one reported survivor of an alleged attack.
These bodies have all been discovered in Texas, specifically pulled from Lady Bird Lake in Austin.
Since 2022, it has become a common occurrence for residents of the area to learn about bodies washing up along the shore of the reservoir that runs through the city’s center.
Lady Bird Lake is part of the Colorado River and is conveniently located next to Austin’s lively nightlife area, especially the well-known Rainey Street, which has inspired locals to nickname the alleged serial killer as the ‘Rainey Street Ripper’.
Despite the rumors, the police have stated that there is no evidence of a serial killer in Austin, with only one case classified as a homicide. There are at least six bodies recovered from the lake with unknown causes of death.
The most recent body found, whose identity has not been disclosed, was a teenager who, according to Fox 7 Austin, was kayaking with family members when he entered the water and never resurfaced.
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 department has repeatedly dismissed claims of a serial killer, using social media to counter these rumors.
In 2023, the Austin Police Department addressed the issue 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.”
The post 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.”
As reported by Fox News 7, 60 percent of those recovered from the lake were between the ages of 39 and 49, with two teenagers also among the deceased.
Jeff Jones claims to have survived an encounter with the so-called ‘Rainey Street Ripper’, having been discovered beneath a bridge. Later toxicology reports revealed traces of benzodiazepine, a category that includes the date-rape drug Rohypnol, in his system.
The incident took place in June 2023, when the 39-year-old was attending a bachelor party with friends who had traveled from Boston, Massachusetts.
“Whoever they may be just missed the target and I hit the ground, and luckily because of that I didn’t drown,” Jones told 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.”
Jones was found at the base of the West Sixth Street Bridge, which crosses Shoal Creek, eventually feeding into the Colorado River.
He went into a coma and later had to be induced again for surgeries, including the installation of metal rods in his back, but has since fully recovered.