June 5th 2025.
In the span of three years, a total of 38 deaths have been linked to the lake, sparking rumors of a possible serial killer roaming the streets of a bustling U.S. city. The most recent discovery was made by a paddleboarder on Tuesday morning in Lady Bird Lake, located in Austin, Texas. This alarming find has reignited fears that a mass murderer, known as the "Rainey Street Ripper", is on the loose in the city with a population of nearly a million people.
However, the local police force has reassured the public that there is no evidence of a killer roaming the streets. They have stated that only one of the cases has been classified as a homicide. The lake is in close proximity to Rainey Street, which is where the rumored serial killer got their nickname. Despite this, six of the bodies found in Lady Bird Lake have yet to have a cause of death determined.
The rumors were further fueled by the recent discovery of a body by a paddleboarder on Tuesday at 7am. It is believed to belong to a teenage boy who went missing on Sunday while kayaking and paddleboarding with his family on the lake. According to Fox 7 Austin, initial investigations suggest that the boy fell into the river and did not resurface. This is the 30th male corpse to be found in the lake since 2022. Out of the 38 deaths connected to Lady Bird Lake, 60% were between the ages of 30 and 49, and two were teenagers. The most common cause of death was drowning, followed by suicide, drug overdoses, and natural causes.
In 2025 alone, there has been a string of corpses found in or around the river. In April, two bodies were discovered, one under a nearby bridge and the other in Lady Bird Lake. The cause of death for the first body was believed to be a cardiac arrest incident, while the second was not treated as a homicide by the police. Officials are concerned that the large party scene in downtown Austin, particularly on Rainey Street, may be a contributing factor to the high number of deaths in the lake. Rainey Street is a popular bar scene, often frequented by bachelorette and bachelor parties, and is located just a few feet from the river.
In response to these concerns, the city has taken measures to improve safety around the lake. This includes installing fencing and lighting as part of an $800,000 upgrade. Ambulances are also stationed at the end of Rainey Street to provide transportation for partygoers who may have had too much to drink. Despite these efforts, speculation continues to circulate.
In 2023, 33-year-old Jonathan Honey was found dead in the lake, adding to the growing concern. In July of that year, a petition was created and gathered over 5,200 signatures, titled "Austin Police Department - Acknowledge That The Austin Drownings May Not Be Accidents", according to My San Antonio. The petition brings attention to the case of 21-year-old Christian Pugh, who went missing after a night out on Rainey Street in November 2019. He was found two days later, severely beaten and in a coma for a month. The official report from the Austin Police stated that Pugh's death was an unfortunate accident. They continue to maintain that there is no connection between the deaths.
Officials have confirmed that there is no reason to suspect foul play in the most recent incident, and no signs of trauma were found on the body. However, the community remains on edge as the mystery surrounding the deaths in Lady Bird Lake continues to deepen.
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