Lady Bird Lake: A Serial Killer on the Loose?

In the past two years, at least 12 bodies have been found in Lady Bird Lake in Austin, with the last two discovered just days apart.

The Austin Police Department believes these deaths were likely due to drowning, even though no swimming has been allowed in the lake since 1964.

Even with the high number of deaths, the police haven’t considered them suspicious, even as rumors of a Rainey Street Killer begin to circulate.

The lack of clear answers and closure surrounding these deaths has left many wondering: what is happening at Lady Bird Lake?

Since 1964, swimming has not been allowed in the lake after several drownings happened.

The lake is mainly used for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and some fishing, but motorized boats are not allowed.

Lady Bird Lake Serial Killer

The Victims

There have been many deaths on Lady Bird Lake throughout the years since those drownings in 1964, with a very disturbing death occurring in 2008.

In April of 2008, Riad Hammad, a business education teacher and father of two, was found dead in the lake with his hands and legs bound.

Officials said he committed suicide, even with the bindings, but his family and friends do not believe that to be true.

The latest body found recently was reported by a 911 call to the police on February 5, 2024, when the body was discovered near 300 W. Cesar Chavez St.

This event was the latest in a series of mysterious recoveries from the lake.

The victims, mostly men aged 20 to 40, were discovered in different locations around the lake.

Here are the victims’ names and the places and dates that the bodies were discovered.

• On July 14, 2022, Ricky Parks was found near 9 East Ave.
• On December 10, 2022, Christopher Gutierrez was found near S. Pleasant Valley Road and S. Lakeshore Boulevard.
• On December 19, 2022, Josue Moreno was found near the pedestrian bridge near S. Lamar Boulevard.
• On December 28, 2022, Kyle Thornton was found near the Congress Avenue bridge.
• On February 13, 2023, Jason John was found near 30 East Avenue.
• On March 5, 2023, Clifton Axtell was found near 1100 W. Riverside Drive.
• On April 1, 2023, Jonathan Honey was found near 10 Rainey St.
• On April 15, 2023, Christopher Hays-Clark was found near the 2700 block of Canterbury St.
• On June 27, 2023, Mogga Dogale was found near the 1000 block of W. Cesar Chavez St.
• On February 5, 2024, an unidentified person was found near 300 W. Cesar Chavez St.
• On April 9, 2024, an unidentified person was found on the banks of Lady Bird Lake near downtown.
• On April 13, 2024, an unidentified person was found near Longhorn Dam.

What Were the Police Findings?

Despite the frequency and number of deaths, the Austin Police Department has maintained that there is no evidence pointing to foul play in most cases.

Four of the deaths were determined to involve no foul play, and the investigations have been closed.

The Medical Examiner said two were accidental drownings or suicides.

Three other cases are not being investigated as a homicide.

The cause of death was undetermined in one of the deaths.

Only Josue Moreno was found to be a victim of a shooting and car crash, and a man has been charged with his murder.

A Pattern of Deaths

The many unexplained deaths in and around the Lady Bird Lake area have sparked lots of talk and theories about why they happened.

While the police said some cases were accidental drownings or suicides, the cluster of these incidents around Lady Bird Lake has led to rumors and doubts from families and citizens of Austin.

People speculate about anything from a possible serial killer targeting victims to the unsettling idea that folks might have been drugged after visiting spots in the lively Rainey Street area.

It’s no secret that Rainey Street has become a popular spot for nightlife and partying, with its numerous bars and restaurants.

Could someone take advantage of the crowded and lively atmosphere to prey on unsuspecting victims?

Recently, a bartender posted on Reddit that they spoke with a person claiming to be the Rainey Street Killer, a.k.a. the Lady Bird Lake killer.

There are also concerns about safety measures in place, or lack thereof, in the area around Lady Bird Lake.

With so many people walking around the lake after visiting the local night spots, are proper precautions being taken to ensure their safety?

What Actually Happened?

However, the lack of clear answers has left many unanswered questions and lingering suspicions.

With so many deaths in such a short period and no evidence of foul play, we are left with many unanswered questions.

Could there be a Serial Killer?

The fact that there is a pattern of deaths, especially among a certain age group and gender, makes you wonder if a serial killer might be involved.

However, the police are adamant that there hasn’t been any solid evidence to back up this idea.

Were the Victims Drugged?

Another theory is that the victims may have been drugged, leading to their accidental drownings.

However, the toxicology reports have not conclusively supported this, but it still is a possibility.

Why No Foul Play?

With so many deaths happening in similar ways, it’s strange that the authorities haven’t found any signs of foul play in most cases.

Could important evidence have been missed?

Are The Victims Connected Somehow?

Are there any links between the victims besides their age?

Do they hang out at the same spots?

Did The Police Investigate Thoroughly?

The police have faced criticism for not treating these deaths as potential homicides and for not thoroughly investigating all possible angles.

Given the number of cases and their similarities, are the police conducting thorough enough investigations, or is there a pattern of oversight?

The mystery of the Lady Bird Lake deaths continues to haunt the city of Austin.

It has many citizens on edge and wanting more to be done to make the city of Austin, especially the Lady Bird Lake area, a safer place.