After 19 bodies were found in Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas over just three years, concerns have grown about a possible serial killer. Most of the bodies were pulled from the lake near Rainey Street, a busy nightlife area, leading locals to nickname the suspect the “Rainey Street Ripper.”
Despite public fears, Austin police say there’s no evidence of foul play in these cases. They’ve confirmed only one homicide, with most deaths linked to alcohol and poor visibility near the lake at night. The victims vary in age, though most were between 39 and 49, with two teens among them.
One man, Jeff Jones, believes he survived an attempted attack. He was found under a bridge in June 2023 during a bachelor party trip. A toxicology report found traces of benzodiazepines in his system, including the date-rape drug Rohypnol. He fell into a coma, underwent surgery, and has since recovered.
Police continue to investigate each case but urge the public to avoid the lake area after dark and follow park rules.