Nonetheless, I feel that skepticism is the most crucial tool to use when looking for patterns, establishing evidence, and analyzing any theories that may surface. If anything, applying some discretionary level of skepticism will help avoid anyone from sounding like a non-specific gendered person that cried "serial killer" at every case detail.
Although, most of the banter on social media forums speculate that the "Rainey Street Killer" has been active since 2014 there is no solid evidence to confirm this. In fact, it's more likely that bodies recovered from Lady Bird Lake between 2014 and now, are not a connected and that some of the accidental drownings that occurred are simply that, accidental drownings.
Interestingly, it seems that the available public information and police records are vague, lack follow up, or simply gone cold. In turn, missing crucial pieces of information makes is easier for the general public to speculate that something more sinister lucks in the darkness of every corner in downtown Austin.
Still, I find myself asking questions about the victims, the location, and the mind-set of this serial killer. Perhaps, in part my curiosity to investigate this is fueled by the need to be right in identifying observable patterns/methods, but it is also part empathy for the friends and family that lost a loved one.
Furthermore, based on speculation and the public information I've reviewed the following theories seem the most plausible:
Theory #1; Robbing or mugging the victims is more likely the intended goal. Subsequently, drugging the victim is meant to pacify or disorient them enough for the perp to easily and without resistance take the victim's personal belongings (i.e. money, phone, or items of value). However, if a victim wanders too far or is lost by the perp, the victim becomes more susceptible to other risks such as drowning or accidental overdose. Therefore, some of the victims that were found with all their personal belongings, may have eluded the perp long enough to no longer be considered a viable target.
