Smiley Face Killers

Connecting mysterious water deaths across the nation

Known Cases

Each case contains suspicious elements which require a more thorough investigation.

Name Location Date Missing Date Found Notes
Patrick McNeill New York, NY March 3, 1997 March 9, 1997 Fordham University student; last seen before disappearance; body found in East River; smiley face graffiti nearby.
Brian Welzien Chicago, IL December 31, 1999 January 15, 2000 Disappeared on New Year's Eve; body found later in Lake Michigan.
Chris Jenkins Minneapolis, MN October 31, 2002 February 20, 2003 University of Minnesota student; last seen leaving party; body found later in Mississippi River.
Michael Noll Eau Claire, WI November 6, 2002 March 25, 2003 University of Wisconsin student; last seen before disappearance; body found in Half Moon Lake.
Joshua Guimond Collegeville, MN November 9, 2002 Body never recovered Saint John's University student; vanished after leaving a party; body never recovered.
Todd Geib Casnovia, MI June 10, 2005 July 1, 2005 Missing for 21 days before body was found; circumstances suspicious.
Lucas Homan La Crosse, WI September 23, 2006 September 30, 2006 Last seen after party; body found in Mississippi River; injuries suggest possible foul play.
Tommy Booth Woodlyn, PA January 5, 2008 January 10, 2008 Disappeared after leaving bar; body found in creek behind fence.
William Hurley Boston, MA October 12, 2009 October 18, 2009 Navy veteran; last seen before disappearance; body found in Charles River; injuries and GHB in system suggest foul play.
Paul Kochu Pittsburgh, PA March 10, 2015 March 25, 2015 Disappeared after night out; body found later in Ohio River.
Joey LaBute Columbus, OH March 5, 2016 March 29, 2016 Disappeared from a bar in Columbus, Ohio. Joey sent two text messages to friends and family, ‘‘to help so goo5’ and ‘jnhstioj’. Just over 3 weeks later, his body would be found in the Scioto River..
Dakota James Pittsburgh, PA February 8, 2017 April 20, 2017 Last seen leaving party; body found later in Ohio River; minimal decomposition after 40 days.
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