Alert: Smiley Face Killings Target College-Aged Men

A large number of college-aged young men have lost their lives in “drownings” across the United States in the past fifteen years. Authorities believe the deaths are linked and these tragedies aren’t accidents at all.

College-aged men have been targeted in twenty-five cities across eleven states since 1997 or earlier. Police have found smiley faces painted or etched into the murder scenes at many of the death sites, a sick calling card of the killer. Known as the the “Smiley Faced Killings”, these deaths are staged to look like drownings. Why? Water erases almost all evidence, leaves no witnesses and makes the murder look like a drunken accident. A CNN article reported specific stories of young men who police believe have tragically died this way.

Police believe many of the murder victims are abducted, held for a time and even tortured before being killed. Most of these college-aged men are seen leaving a bar or club before they disappear. Detectives are working cases backward to figure out where the murder victim’s body went into the water to find more information about the killer. The smiley faces are always found at these locations.

An ABC article reported there may be as many as 100 murders linked to the “smiley face killings” across the country. Families don’t have answers. Police say they hope to convince federal authorities to look at cases further.

We at ClearCause urge all college students to drink responsibly to keep yourselves safe!

• Always travel in groups when you are out late at night!

• Plan for a safe ride back to your apartment or dorm room if you are drinking.

• Designate one or two sober friends to safeguard three of you as you go out. These friends can stay alert and aware of your situation and surroundings at all times to keep you away from any potentially dangerous situations.

• Do not leave intoxicated friends alone in a bar, on the street, or in a dorm room. Make sure your group sticks together!

• Guard your drinks and food. Be smart about this - don’t leave your drink unguarded as you go to the bathroom or hit the dance floor. Someone could easily slip something into your drink to harm you. If the bartender is handing you a drink, get it directly from them and don’t let it get passed down the line. Guard your drink to guard yourself.

• Don’t ever take a drink from someone you don’t know. StaySafe!