The New Report
September 2025 study debunks serial killer(s) reports in Austin Texas, calling it an “urban myth.” The study, conducted by Texas State University in San Marcos and the Austin Police Department, attributed the deaths to population growth, the Texas climate, and easy access to water recreation:
"The number of drownings in Austin is a function of population, Lady Bird Lake visitation, and the proliferation of nearby bars and nightclubs. While the shores of the Colorado River are not being stalked by a serial killer, the hazards of drowning in Texas remain a concern," researchers wrote.
"A misplaced focus on the sensational narrative of a predator – at the expense of rational discussion of causal factors and prevention strategies – is not helpful. Rather, a problem-oriented policing approach involving all stakeholders – local and state governments, public safety agencies, and Downtown businesses – would be a useful response to these accidents."
“Within that 189-case pool, researchers noted 58 target cases that coincided with the "victimology of the alleged 'Rainey Street Ripper.'" The report's conclusion revealed neither direct evidence or indirect warning signs and concerns of a serial murderer targeting the Texas capital, with the drowning incidents in Austin in tandem with "historical patterns, average drowning risk in Texas, and population growth.
"No evidence of foul play has been discovered and investigators determined these drownings were not crimes," the report read. The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office's autopsy reports revealed the bulk of drownings involved intoxicated people who ultimately died after falling into the water.
Looking at a statewide scale, researchers reviewed nearly 8,000 unintentional drownings in Texas across 22 years, which broke down to an annual average of 352 drownings. Among those state-level cases, 78% involved men, mainly between the ages of 22 and 44, and the report noted Texas' climate offers more around-the-clock access to water recreation and potential drowning incidents.
While dubbed the Rainey Street Ripper, researchers analyzed where Austin drowning victims were recovered and found the bulk of bodies were located closer to Auditorium Shores and Barton Creek as opposed to the Rainey Street District (eight target victims, of 58 analyzed, between 2004 and 2025 were found between Congress Avenue and Interstate 35).
Texas State's report reviewed similar rumors of serial killers who drowned their victims, including the Smiley Face murderer, the Manchester Pusher and the New England serial killer. Each of those were "debunked as urban myths," the report said, adding all of them included alcohol presence in victims as well as bars located near waterways.”
Several responded with the cynicism Different Drummer has:
“You know how many people drowned in Town Lake between 1994 and 2004? None! How much did they pay you to do this "study"? You should be ashamed of yourself. 189 families have lost loved ones. Not many were legitimate drownings.”
"The study is meant to debunk" ... So the study is already completely biased before it starts. That sounds exactly like 2020's scientific study.
“Lol it's definitely not murder! "But half a dozen of these cases remain unknown. " seems like a funny way to put it.
What do you think?