…Researched and contributed by Judah Olanisebee.
Austin, Texas residents are growing increasingly concerned that a serial killer may be on the loose following the discovery of eight bodies in Lady Bird Lake over the past year.
John Christopher Hays-Clark, 30, was the latest person to be found dead in the lake on Saturday, and earlier this month, Jonathan Honey, 33, was found dead on April 1.
Police say their bodies showed no signs of trauma.
The identities of five other bodies that were recovered from the lake remain unknown.
Police have stated that there is no evidence to suggest foul play at this point in the investigation, but residents are still fearful, particularly given that the men’s disappearances share some similarities.
One similarity is that both Jonathan and Jason John, 30, who was found on February 13, were seen on Rainey Street before their disappearances.
Rainey Street is a bustling nightlife area in Austin that features bars, food trucks, and restaurants.
Jason John’s family believes that the deaths may be connected, with his mother stating that they do not agree with the initial ruling that no foul play was involved.
Meanwhile, a private Facebook group called Lady Bird Lake Serial Killer, which has over 50,000 followers, was created when Jason John’s body was discovered in February.
Some people have taken to TikTok to create videos warning others about the alleged serial killer.
Although police do not suspect foul play in the men’s deaths, the circumstances of the cases vary.
Investigators have noted that all the cases share a “combination of alcohol” and “easy access” points to the lake, which can be difficult to see at night.
The Smiley Face Killers, a group of alleged serial killers, have been referenced as a possible explanation for the deaths.
This group has been suspected of killing numerous young men across the United States, with retired NYPD Detective Kevin Gannon and his team of investigators believing that 100 of the men may have been murdered by the gang.
Most of the victims were young, athletic, and academically high achieving.
They were all found with Smiley Face graffiti symbols at the sites where their bodies were recovered.