Vanessa Richardson

The more GDI investigated these drowning deaths, the more they saw a pattern similar to what they'd seen in Dakota's case. Missing evidence, lack of witness follow-ups, and autopsy inconsistencies. They started to believe the cases could be connected. Maybe even the work of a serial killer.

The more GDI investigated these drowning deaths, the more they saw a pattern similar to what they'd seen in Dakota's case. Missing evidence, lack of witness follow-ups, and autopsy inconsistencies. They started to believe the cases could be connected. Maybe even the work of a serial killer.

To determine whether a serial killer may be responsible, the FBI links murders using a variety of factors, including a consistent method or weapon used in the murder, similar victim type, and geographic location. This was a difficult task for GDI, because the deaths were classified as accidental drownings. There were no weapons or ammo to connect to one another.

To determine whether a serial killer may be responsible, the FBI links murders using a variety of factors, including a consistent method or weapon used in the murder, similar victim type, and geographic location. This was a difficult task for GDI, because the deaths were classified as accidental drownings. There were no weapons or ammo to connect to one another.

Most of the bodies didn't show signs of foul play, no gunshot wounds or other injuries. One day, Gannon saw a drug information poster tacked up on a police station's wall. There was one drug that stuck out to him. GHB. That's when it hit him. What if the victims were being drugged? GHB stands for gamma-hydroxybutyric acid. A prescription version is used to treat narcolepsy.

Most of the bodies didn't show signs of foul play, no gunshot wounds or other injuries. One day, Gannon saw a drug information poster tacked up on a police station's wall. There was one drug that stuck out to him. GHB. That's when it hit him. What if the victims were being drugged? GHB stands for gamma-hydroxybutyric acid. A prescription version is used to treat narcolepsy.

But if it's misused, it can cause memory loss, confusion, and physical weakness. In the 90s, it became popular at dance clubs and was dubbed the date rape drug because it was commonly used in sexual assault cases. A 2020 survey in the UK estimated around one quarter of rape victims had been dosed with the drug.

But if it's misused, it can cause memory loss, confusion, and physical weakness. In the 90s, it became popular at dance clubs and was dubbed the date rape drug because it was commonly used in sexual assault cases. A 2020 survey in the UK estimated around one quarter of rape victims had been dosed with the drug.

GHB is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, leaving someone completely unaware their drink has been spiked. The person may start to feel out of control of their own body in just 15 minutes after consuming the drug. So GDI searched through toxicology reports. Not every medical examiner's office tested for GHB, so they couldn't check their entire database.

GHB is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, leaving someone completely unaware their drink has been spiked. The person may start to feel out of control of their own body in just 15 minutes after consuming the drug. So GDI searched through toxicology reports. Not every medical examiner's office tested for GHB, so they couldn't check their entire database.

But they found at least 30 victims, including Dakota James, had the drug in their system at the time of death. So now they could make a connection with the method of murder, and thanks to Gilbertson's work, they knew the victimology and locations.

But they found at least 30 victims, including Dakota James, had the drug in their system at the time of death. So now they could make a connection with the method of murder, and thanks to Gilbertson's work, they knew the victimology and locations.

As we mentioned earlier, the professor had already identified the victim type in his study, white or Asian men, athletic, good grades, similar body types, and the locations revealed another pattern. Not only do the deaths typically occur in college towns, but they seem to center around certain hotspots, mostly in the Midwest.

As we mentioned earlier, the professor had already identified the victim type in his study, white or Asian men, athletic, good grades, similar body types, and the locations revealed another pattern. Not only do the deaths typically occur in college towns, but they seem to center around certain hotspots, mostly in the Midwest.

At least 12 victims were found in La Crosse, Wisconsin, three were in East Lansing, Michigan, and the killings in Chicago may date as far back as 1999. All in all, GDI's database includes over 600 deaths across 11 states. With so many victims in so many locations, it seemed impossible that one serial killer could be responsible. So GDI thought, what if there's a gang of serial killers?

At least 12 victims were found in La Crosse, Wisconsin, three were in East Lansing, Michigan, and the killings in Chicago may date as far back as 1999. All in all, GDI's database includes over 600 deaths across 11 states. With so many victims in so many locations, it seemed impossible that one serial killer could be responsible. So GDI thought, what if there's a gang of serial killers?

Kevin Gannon, Tony Duarte, and Lee Gilbertson had all been gang experts in their careers. Through their work, they knew gangs are often affiliated with symbols, whether it's hand signs or graffiti. Similarly, some serial killers use a signature, which according to psychologist Scott Bonn, reveals the offender's fantasies.

Kevin Gannon, Tony Duarte, and Lee Gilbertson had all been gang experts in their careers. Through their work, they knew gangs are often affiliated with symbols, whether it's hand signs or graffiti. Similarly, some serial killers use a signature, which according to psychologist Scott Bonn, reveals the offender's fantasies.

Sometimes the signature is displayed at the crime scene, like Jack the Ripper's propensity to mutilate his victims. Other times it's revealed after the murder so the killer can take credit, like when Dennis Rader signed his letters to the media with his nickname BTK. Signatures are a way for serial killers to take credit for their murders, and for police to connect the crimes.

Sometimes the signature is displayed at the crime scene, like Jack the Ripper's propensity to mutilate his victims. Other times it's revealed after the murder so the killer can take credit, like when Dennis Rader signed his letters to the media with his nickname BTK. Signatures are a way for serial killers to take credit for their murders, and for police to connect the crimes.