Chelsea Wood

Researchers have long raised questions about the smiley face killer's theory. In particular, the Center for Homicide Research published a direct rebuttal of the theory. To unpack these criticisms, I asked Kevin and Anya to apply their investigative skills and help me answer some questions. One of the first questions on my mind was the importance of the smiley face symbol.

Researchers have long raised questions about the smiley face killer's theory. In particular, the Center for Homicide Research published a direct rebuttal of the theory. To unpack these criticisms, I asked Kevin and Anya to apply their investigative skills and help me answer some questions. One of the first questions on my mind was the importance of the smiley face symbol.

Because, well, they're everywhere.

Because, well, they're everywhere.

The same group of researchers found that not only did the smiley faces differ from case to case, so too did the locations of the graffiti. Sometimes a smiley face was found in close proximity to the body, sometimes much further away.

The same group of researchers found that not only did the smiley faces differ from case to case, so too did the locations of the graffiti. Sometimes a smiley face was found in close proximity to the body, sometimes much further away.

I decided to put that idea to the test. I live in Los Angeles and know that the LA river is pretty well known for its graffiti. So on a sunny Saturday, I took a stroll along the river and kept my eyes peeled for smiley faces. I walked for just over two miles and counted seven smiley faces and luckily zero bodies. So is the smiley face a mark of a killer or just a ubiquitous image?

I decided to put that idea to the test. I live in Los Angeles and know that the LA river is pretty well known for its graffiti. So on a sunny Saturday, I took a stroll along the river and kept my eyes peeled for smiley faces. I walked for just over two miles and counted seven smiley faces and luckily zero bodies. So is the smiley face a mark of a killer or just a ubiquitous image?

Kevin raised a good point, but when I looked into it, I found out that when GHB is found in a body, it could indicate any number of things. Because GHB is sometimes taken recreationally, it's possible some of the men in this case took the drug knowingly. GHB also occurs naturally.

Kevin raised a good point, but when I looked into it, I found out that when GHB is found in a body, it could indicate any number of things. Because GHB is sometimes taken recreationally, it's possible some of the men in this case took the drug knowingly. GHB also occurs naturally.

The body produces it in small amounts, but after death, the decomposition process can actually add more of the substance into a person's system. Testing isn't really accurate enough to show whether the GHB was in the bloodstream before or after death.

The body produces it in small amounts, but after death, the decomposition process can actually add more of the substance into a person's system. Testing isn't really accurate enough to show whether the GHB was in the bloodstream before or after death.

There's one important thing that the global death investigators urged, that unless there is an eyewitness to the contrary, every death should be treated like a homicide. Their work has yet to definitively link all the deaths to a group of serial killers, but it did alter the outcome for one family. Chris Jenkins grew up in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

There's one important thing that the global death investigators urged, that unless there is an eyewitness to the contrary, every death should be treated like a homicide. Their work has yet to definitively link all the deaths to a group of serial killers, but it did alter the outcome for one family. Chris Jenkins grew up in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

According to his mom, Jan, he was the jokester of the family, always looking to make everyone around him laugh. In 2002, he was 21, a star lacrosse player, and a business student due to graduate early from the University of Minnesota. On Halloween night, Chris put on his costume and went out to Lone Tree Bar in Minneapolis. Around 1230 a.m., he was asked to leave the bar, though it's unclear why.

According to his mom, Jan, he was the jokester of the family, always looking to make everyone around him laugh. In 2002, he was 21, a star lacrosse player, and a business student due to graduate early from the University of Minnesota. On Halloween night, Chris put on his costume and went out to Lone Tree Bar in Minneapolis. Around 1230 a.m., he was asked to leave the bar, though it's unclear why.

According to GDI, police initially didn't put many resources toward the search for Chris. Almost a week after his disappearance, the Jenkins family was desperate, so they paid for search dogs out of pocket.

According to GDI, police initially didn't put many resources toward the search for Chris. Almost a week after his disappearance, the Jenkins family was desperate, so they paid for search dogs out of pocket.

On February 27, 2003, Chris's body was found in the Mississippi River near the Third Avenue Bridge. The medical examiner's office suspected Chris had drowned, but evidence was inconclusive, so they ruled the cause of death unknown. The manner of death, whether it was a homicide, suicide, or accidental, also couldn't be determined.

On February 27, 2003, Chris's body was found in the Mississippi River near the Third Avenue Bridge. The medical examiner's office suspected Chris had drowned, but evidence was inconclusive, so they ruled the cause of death unknown. The manner of death, whether it was a homicide, suicide, or accidental, also couldn't be determined.