Smiley Face Serial Killings

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/04/29/2008-04-29_exnypd_cops_say_smiley_face_is_link_in_4.html

New York Daily News
29 April 2008

Ex-NYPD cops say smiley face is link in 40 deaths by serial killer syndicate

BY TAMER EL-GHOBASHY
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

A spray-painted smiley face with a taunting grin could be the disturbing signature of a nationwide network of killers who target promising college students.

The chilling symbol has been found at at least 12 sites where young men fitting a distinct profile have been drowned in incidents that were ruled accidents. [...]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353624,00.html

Fox News
1 May 2008

FBI: 'No Evidence' to Support 'Smiley Face Gang' Serial Murder Theory;Victims' Families Say There Is

By Catherine Donaldson-Evans

The FBI said there is no proof that dozens of young men who died in mysterious drownings were actually murdered by a nefarious network dubbed the "Smiley Face Gang" - despite theories held by a group of retired detectives and victims' family members. [...]

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[Cf. the belief that young men found drowned in La Crosse, Wisconsin, were the victims of a serial killer or killers:]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/apr04/222574.asp
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
16 April 2004
Drowning worries university community
UW-La Crosse student found in river not linked to other deaths, police say

http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/apr04/222753.asp
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
17 April 2004
La Crosse fears a killer, mayor admits
'Most people' think men's deaths are connected, he says

http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/apr04/224312.asp
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
23 April 2004
Crowd heckles La Crosse police for blaming drownings on drinking

http://www.jsonline.com/news/gen/apr04/225974.asp
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
30 April 2004
Drowned student's blood alcohol revised to 0.40

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/aug04/251928.asp
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
18 Aug 2004
Student's family blames city, state in his drowning
La Crosse's 'drunk bus' contributed to his death, legal notice claims

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=507245
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel [WI]
3 Oct 2006
'Disbelief' reigns after student's body recovered
Homan is 8th found in river since '97