MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Lady Bird Lake deaths: Internet sleuth posts 'Smiley Face Killers' theory about graffiti near reservoir

Austin’s lake has been in the news lately because of the eight dead bodies found in or near it in less than a year

AUSTIN, TEXAS: The mystery of Lady Bird Lake near Rainey Street has intensified with each passing day. Austin’s lake has been in the news lately because of the eight dead bodies found in or near it in less than a year. The last four remains had been discovered between mid-February to mid-April.

The 30-year-old John Christopher Hays-Clark was reportedly the latest person to be discovered dead in the lake. His body was pulled out on April 15. Police have denied any foul play as Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon reportedly said, “Nothing has come to light that would indicate that there is a serial killer in Austin.”

ALSO READ

‘It's the Death River’: Melanie Raymond claims Lady Bird Lake deaths ‘connected’ to her brother Julio Santos' drowning

'Don't go by yourself': TikToker warns public of murderous group as Lady Bird Lake body count rises

‘Horrible circumstance that we have these’

“I realize that there is a rampant rumor about a potential serial killer here in Austin. We've found no evidence of that. It's a horrible circumstance that we have these, and we look at each one to determine the circumstances in which they occurred. Some of them are accidental, unfortunately, some of them are also suicides,” Chacon noted.

But locals fear there’s someone out there targeting people. Some people have even compared the deaths to the so-called 'Smiley Face Murders' theory, which refers to a series of deaths in the late 1990s and 2010s. In the places from where the bodies were retrieved during those times, graffiti of a smiley face was also seen, The Mirror reported.

‘I have seen pictures of smiley faces in graffiti’

Now, a Twitter user has also claimed to see “pictures of smiley faces in graffiti near the water in Lady Bird Lake.” The user, who goes by @901Lulu on the microblogging site, shared, “I have seen pictures of smiley faces in graffiti near the water in Lady Bird Lake. I have no way to verify the validity myself, but I have read accounts from loved ones of victims that posted them in this group. You can check it out and decide for yourself. 👀 #Texas #Austin.”

A user tweeted below @901Lulu’s post, “That’s eerie. I would like to know what all the victims have in common if anything. And if LE doesn’t find this unusual, then how many have been found in this lake in 2020? 2021?” Another one said, “This is so concerning,  what does it take for LE to declare concern?  Will be interested to read autopsy reports on all eight....” The third one just remarked, "My God.”

A person stated though, “Lady Bird Lake is really a river that cuts right through downtown and has miles and miles of shoreline easily accessible by the hike and bike trail. I’d expect a few smiley faces among other graffiti.”

‘There were some similarities in the case’

However, victims’ families agree with the killer(s) theory as the mother of Jason John, whose body was found in February, said, “Jason was 30. Jonathan Honey was 33. Two in the morning. Rainey Street. So there were some similarities in the case.” 

Besides, Melanie Raymond, the sister of Julio Santos, who died in 2015, added, “I think they're connected. They're too much the same to be a coincidence. It's like [Austin Police Department] APD is reading from a script, and it's the exact same things. And if they were different, why would they be saying the exact same things? So, yes, I think they're all connected.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.