15. The Smiley Face Killers: Unraveling the Mystery of University Student Drownings
Buried18 Loka 2024

15. The Smiley Face Killers: Unraveling the Mystery of University Student Drownings

The "Smiley Face Killers" theory revolves around a series of mysterious drownings in the U.S., particularly of young, successful male university students, often after nights of drinking. The theory emerged after the 2002 death of Christopher Jenkins, whose body was found in the Mississippi River months after he went missing. Initially ruled an accidental drowning, his case was later reclassified as a homicide due to inconsistencies, including a neatly dressed body and lack of drowning evidence.

Former police officers Kevin Gannon and Anthony Duarte investigated over 40 similar cases from 1997 to 2008, finding commonalities: young, white male students disappeared after drinking, and their bodies were later found in rivers. At several crime scenes, smiley-face graffiti was discovered, leading the investigators to theorize that the deaths were connected to a group of serial killers, whom they dubbed the "Smiley Face Killers."


However, the theory has faced criticism. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies view the deaths as alcohol-related accidents, citing discrepancies such as the inconsistent appearance of the graffiti and the lack of typical serial killer motives. Despite this, the theory persists, largely due to the victims' similar profiles and the unresolved nature of many cases.


The Smiley Face Killers theory has not been officially recognized, but it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of alcohol, reminding people to be mindful of their safety when intoxicated.

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58. The Tragic Disappearance of Kim Wall: A Case of Murder and Betrayal

58. The Tragic Disappearance of Kim Wall: A Case of Murder and Betrayal

In August 2017, journalist Kim Wall mysteriously disappeared after boarding the private submarine Nautilus, owned by Danish entrepreneur Peter Madsen. After Madsen was rescued from the sinking submari...

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57. A Haunting Halloween: The Tragic Case of Shauna

57. A Haunting Halloween: The Tragic Case of Shauna

In a tragic Halloween case from 1992 in Pennsylvania, 12-year-old Shauna was abducted and later found dead under a bridge, leading to community outrage and a 15-year ban on Halloween pranks. Initially...

31 Loka 20249min

56. The Mysterious Disappearance and Murder of Zhang Ju: A Case of Betrayal and Justice

56. The Mysterious Disappearance and Murder of Zhang Ju: A Case of Betrayal and Justice

In July 2021, the mysterious disappearance of 34-year-old Zhang Ju, a Chinese single mother living in Melbourne, captured public attention after she vanished on February 1, 2021, following a disturbin...

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55. The Jessica Case: A Tragic Tale of Disappearance and Family Betrayal

55. The Jessica Case: A Tragic Tale of Disappearance and Family Betrayal

In September 1999, 17-year-old Jessica Tyson disappeared from Kentucky, prompting her parents, Edna and Mike, to file a missing persons report after finding her belongings in disarray in her car. Init...

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53. The Unsolved Tragedy of the Setagaya Family: A Chilling Murder Case

53. The Unsolved Tragedy of the Setagaya Family: A Chilling Murder Case

In December 2000, a brutal family murder occurred in Setagaya, Tokyo, where a family of four, including two young children, was killed. The investigation revealed a chaotic crime scene with numerous c...

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52. 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre: The Darkest Day in Sports History

52. 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre: The Darkest Day in Sports History

In this episode, the darkest moment in Olympic history is revisited: the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. The event began with members of the Palestinian group "Black September" infiltrating the Olympic...

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51. The Katarzyna Murder: Unveiling a Chilling Crime in Kraków

51. The Katarzyna Murder: Unveiling a Chilling Crime in Kraków

In this episode, Liisa covers the 1998 murder of Katarzyna, a 23-year-old student from Kraków, Poland. After disappearing in November, her remains were found in January 1999, horrifyingly skinned and ...

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50. Junko Furuta: The Crime That Shook Japan and Changed Juvenile Law

50. Junko Furuta: The Crime That Shook Japan and Changed Juvenile Law

In this episode of the *Salattu* podcast, Liisa discusses the 1988 Junko Furuta case, a horrifying crime in Japan that shocked the nation and led to reforms in juvenile law. Junko, a high school stude...

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