A BIG WHO DUNNIT IN AUSTIN

Hunting the Lady Bird Lake Killer: Preliminary findings for every victim show worrying lack of clarity

 

By Varnika Srivastava 

 

meaww 
April 27, 2023

 

Pictured (clockwise from left-top): Jason John, Cliff Axtell, Chris Clark, and Jonathan Honey; Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas (center) 

 

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Several deaths in Austin's lake waters have raised suspicions among locals. Online rumors concerning a potential connection between the fatalities at Lady Bird Lake have been circulating in recent weeks. However, preliminary findings reveal a worrying lack of clarity.

 

According to Austin Police,there is no clear relationship between the deaths at Lady Bird Lake till now. There have been numerous claims of a serial killer, but none of the investigations have turned up any proof or evidence to support those claims, according to APD Assistant Chief Jeff Greenwalt, who spoke to KXAN in April.

'Common theme of drownings in Austin'

APD said the "circumstances, exact locations, and demographics surrounding these cases vary." The department continued, "One common theme of the drownings in Austin this year is the combination of alcohol and easy access to Lady Bird Lake."

List of bodies discovered in the lake

At least four bodies have been discovered at Lady Bird Lake this year itself. Several more bodies were reportedly retrieved from the lake last year in 2022 as well. Here are the preliminary findings for every victim retrieved from the lake.

On April 15, 2023 victim's body John Hayes Clark was found near the 2700 block of Canterbury Street. According to APD, "No foul play or suspicious circumstances are involved. " On April 1, 2023, victim Jonathan Honey was found Near 10 Rainey St. According to APD, the case is still under investigation. On March 5, 2023, victim Clifton Axtell was found Near 1100 W. Riverside Drive. Again, according to reports from APD, there was "nothing suspicious at the time," as reported by KXAN.

On February 13, 2023, Jason John's body was found near 30 East Avenue. According to John's family, "There was no visible scarring or scratches on his body, so we won't know 100 percent until the autopsy is done – but we don't believe he was attacked." On December 28, an unidentified body was found near the Congress Avenue bridge. There are no preliminary findings reported. On December 25, 2022, an unidentified body was found near the pedestrian bridge that runs alongside South Lamar. At the time, the APD said it was too early to identify the person or determine what caused their death, as per reports. There have been no updates since then.

On December 19, 2022 body of Josue Moren was identified near the 1100 block of W. Riverside Drive. According to reports, the preliminary findings were a "Shooting/Crash" incident. On December 10, 2022, an unidentified body was found near South Pleasant Valley Road and South Lakeshore Boulevard, according to APD. "The cause of death has not yet been determined," its report stated. On July 14, 2022, an unidentified body was found Near 9 East Ave. According to APD, the body could have been in the lake for "a couple of days," as reported by KXAN.