Is there a serial killer at Lady Bird Lake? Austin Police Chief addresses rumors
AUSTIN, TEXAS: The Austin Police have stated that the group of men found dead in a lake in downtown Austin, all of whom shared a similar age range, are not believed to be the victims of a serial killer. Police Chief Joseph Chacon has suggested that the deaths may have been caused by accidents or suicides, but he has also indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that further information could alter this initial assessment.
There has been speculation that the recent deaths in Lady Bird Lake, which include four cases since February and twice that number over the past year, might be linked. Three of the victims were found close to Rainey Street, a well-liked downtown area, while the fourth was discovered about two miles downstream from a dam.
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Who is Joseph Chacon?
Joseph Chacon has been serving as the Chief of Police with the Austin Police Department since April 2021, becoming the 10th person to hold this position. Before his appointment as Chief, he worked as an Assistant Chief for nearly five years, overseeing several key departments such as Patrol, Special Operations, Investigations, and Training/Recruiting.
With 31 years of experience in the field, Chief Chacon has a vast range of knowledge and skills in various areas of police work. He has received several prestigious certifications and degrees, including a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington School of Urban and Public Affairs, and a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX. He has also completed several leadership programs such as PERF's Senior Management Institute for Police, Texas State University's Certified Public Manager Program, and MCCA's Police Executive Leadership Institute.
Chacon says there is no indication of a serial killer
"I realize that there is a rampant rumor about a potential serial killer here in Austin," Chacon told FOX 7 Austin. "We've found no evidence of that. Nothing has come to light that would indicate that there is a serial killer in Austin," the chief said. Chief Chacon has also noted that the deaths in Lady Bird Lake are not unusual and that such incidents occur every year in the city. While he acknowledges the tragic nature of these deaths, he suggests that they do not appear to be part of a broader pattern or connected in any way.
"It's a horrible circumstance that we have these, and we look at each one to determine the circumstances in which they occurred," he said. "Some of them are accidental, unfortunately, some of them are also suicides." If anything changes, Chief Chacon says the police will let the public know. "Believe me, we would be passing that information along to the public very promptly," he said.
John Christopher Hays-Clark was the last person found dead
Despite the reassurances from the police chief, the residents of Austin are growing more and more concerned following the discovery of the eighth dead body in Lady Bird Lake in a period of just 10 months. Concerns are growing among locals that a potential serial killer may be responsible for the deaths. The latest victim of the recent string of deaths has been identified as John Christopher Hays-Clark, 30, whose body was recovered from the lake on April 15.