Is a Serial-Killer Gang Murdering Young Men Across the U.S.?

On March 6, 2017, 40 days after Dakota James disappeared, a woman walking her dog saw his body floating in the Ohio River, about 10 miles from where he was last seen in downtown Pittsburgh—at 11:49 p.m. that January night—and about 30 feet from the shore.

His death was ruled an accidental drowning by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. But a team of retired detectives and a gang expert believe he’s one of about 100 victims of the Smiley-Face Killers, an alleged organized gang of serial killers that communicates on the dark web, with cells in dozens of cities across the United States. An additional 250 cases might be connected, but they can’t prove it, they say.

Is a Serial-Killer Gang Murdering Young Men Across the U.S.?

Not exactly breaking news, but may be to some, as these cases have been ongoing over the years. Could it just be these cases turn out to be consciences or something more as discussed? Coincidences such as I lived in a college town an recall one case where a young man who fit the average demographic was found deceased but apparently due to the elements(but non drowning) a least a couple miles where he was last seen at a partly. Also, in this case, while not sure if the other similarities in the article apply here though.

Looking more into the articles in this it seems more eerie than a simple coincidence between cases linking these deaths.

The following are threads over the years about these cases;
www.abovetopsecret.com...
www.abovetopsecret.com...
www.abovetopsecret.com...

a reply to: dreamingawake

Reading those threads reminded me why i used to like ats..

a reply to: dreamingawake

The detectives who came up with the theory have pretty much been ignored by investigators (although based on the individual crimes I am not quite sure why their theory is being dismissed).

I do know agencies (not all) are Leary of labeling anything the work of a serial killer. For some reason reporting on a random killing causes less of a response than reporting on an unknown person on a murder spree. With the latest investigative techniques using private DNA based website its becoming more difficult for murders, especially serial killers, to get away with it.

Even if the suspects DNA is not listed it can still be checked for familial matches already in the systems. Once a familial link is made they deep dive the history of the family and go from there.

This is how they caught the original night / Golden State killer / East area rapist (DNA match).
The Grim Sleeper serial killer was caught by familial DNA matching.

As for your question the murders have similarities -
Males of a certain age / type
By themselves
intoxicated
A smiley face located somewhere near the body / scene

To my knowledge no video evidence exists that shows other people interacting with the victims prior to their disappearance / death. With that said video evidence might exist but has not been released / acknowledged by law enforcement. This can be done if the evidence linking the person to the crime is not strong enough to stand up in court. When that occurs they will watch the person to gather more evidence and that process can take some time if the suspect is careful about what he/she does that could aid law enforcement.

If you are interested in this topic take a look at the number of people who go missing in National Parks.

Another area deals with trafficking in minors. An interesting case, that of Johnny Gosch, leads into the sex rings in the US that link into the elites and international rings.

** WARNING ** Documentaries contains adult subject matters and people might find it disturbing. ** WARNING **

** WARNING ** Documentaries contains adult subject matters and people might find it disturbing. ** WARNING **

www.youtube.com...


The reasons why law enforcement may reject sound theories are many however one possibility is they involve people in positions of authority / power / etc. In the Johnny Gosch case one person listed as a suspect is referred to as the Colonel. In my opinion it sounds like the person described in the documentary is Lt Colonel Michael Aquino (a theory only and he is not named). He is / was a Lt. Colonel in the US Army and was a Satanic Pedophile.He is also linked to the Temple of Set (wiki).

As for the Smiley Face murdeers -

* - Psychology Today - Fourteen Dead Men: Link or No Link?
* - The Daily Beast - Is a Serial-Killer Gang Murdering Young Men Across the U.S.?
* - CNN - Smiley face killers may be stalking college men - 2008 coverage
* - LaCrosse Wisconsin Police release **PDF**


The FBI has reviewed the info provided by the 2 detectives and dont think the theory is supported by the evidence.

The FBI has reviewed the information about the victims provided by two retired police detectives, who have dubbed these incidents the "Smiley Face Murders," and interviewed an individual who provided information to the detectives. To date, we have not developed any evidence to support links between these tragic deaths or any evidence substantiating the theory that these deaths are the work of a serial killer or killers. The vast majority of these instances appear to be alcohol-related drownings. The FBI will continue to work with the local police in the affected areas to provide support as requested.
— FBI National Press Office, FBI Statement Regarding Midwest River Deaths (April 29, 2008)

** WARNING ** Documentaries contains adult subject matters and people might find it disturbing. ** WARNING **

a reply to: dug88

Same and thanks I'll try when I can.

a reply to: Xcathdra

Thanks for the added info. That's the most disturbing part with missing cases being something more with the possible/ links to those involved in powerful positions.

originally posted by: dreamingawake
a reply to: dug88

Same and thanks I'll try when I can.

a reply to: Xcathdra

Thanks for the added info. That's the most disturbing part with missing cases being something more with the possible/ links to those involved in powerful positions.

So I dont derail your thread I added a second post with a bunch of links to the Smiley Faced Killers, including one that deals with a suspect.

originally posted by: dreamingawake
a reply to: dug88

Same and thanks I'll try when I can.

a reply to: Xcathdra

Thanks for the added info. That's the most disturbing part with missing cases being something more with the possible/ links to those involved in powerful positions.

Also sorry for not mentioning this earlier..and contributing but.....thank you for sharing this. I'd never heard of this it's something i'm going to look more into.

As for the people going missing in national forests thing. I don't have much experience with forests in america but when i was in schoom we went down to Yellowstone for a week in winter to do a bunch of different things. One of these was to learn about general park management and such. One of the rangers there gave a bit of a talk about different issues in the park. One of them was about people that die or go missing. I don't remember exact numbers but over 100 people go missing or die in the park every year. Most are apparently suicides. The second highest are people going off patha and falling into geysers and underground lava and such. A small percentage are confirmed murders. But there was some middle percent of people that either just vanish or turn up dead without much apparent cause. Pretty much all of these are ruled as people getting lost or the elements. But it does make you wonder.

I've read "Case Studies in Drowning Forensics". I have no doubt that these drownings are homicides and not accidents. There is a second presentation of the facts that is also quite convincing: a documentary made by William Ramsey. It's about three hours long and goes over the details of many cases, in a manner that made me think of jury presentation. He is an attorney. It is convincing.

It isn't the work of a singular killer. It's a group of them. There have been many instances of date coordination in places too distant for one person to handle.

I hope the new documentary on it does a good job. It's by Oxygen; showing up on AMC and a few other channels too.

Thanks all; Happy this is being addressed.
a reply to: drussell41

Here's a short vid from Oxygen.
Questions “Smiley Face Killers: The Hunt For Justice” Hopes To Answer - Crime Time | Oxygen

a reply to: dug88
Not a problem, these very well could be part of a phenomena all their own if not some linked to ones similar in the OP.

More than a couple cases of National forest cases(in the Pac NW) happened near me only in a few years. The conclusions were attributed to the elements, or at least that's what was shared of the ones found deceased. The demographics fit the average case of missing persons in the forests as well on average. Make sure to have protection and gps tracking, and of course even if you know the trails due to confusion that can happen(happened on my own property before during hiking)even the most experienced people can become lost.

originally posted by: Xcathdra
An interesting case, that of Johnny Gosch, leads into the sex rings in the US that link into the elites and international rings.

You're a cop, right? You want a new hobby, take a plunge into this particular rabbit hole.

a reply to: dreamingawake

In an Australian Juvenile detention centre in Tamworth NSW during the late 70s there was a subliminal brain washing program adopted In this high security kids prison the guards were severely abusing the kids and there were speakers in the cells repeatedly saying murder death kill mayhem.
12 serial killers have been caught from this one detention centre. A friend of mine went to this Tamworth and was able to hear this.

there is a load of Info about the treatment of the children kept here but none of it mentions this story.

There was a man found dead in similar circumstances in my area last year. A lot of online chatter wanted to link his death to the alleged Smiley Face phenomenon.

Here's the thing. I saw the dude the night he disappeared. He was so drunk he couldn't speak. He had been drinking for about 9 hours straight. A bartender offered to pay for his car home. One minute he was standing out in front of the bar, and the next he was 2 blocks away stumbling and looking at his phone.

A few days later he was found by the river.

There were no signs of foul play. His BAC was 4 times the legal limit. It was theorized that he fell, passed out, and landed in a manner that impaired his ability to breathe.

This is a totally plausible explanation.

What gets me is this. There were rumors that people saw him get into a car and assumed it was a car service like Uber or Lyft. There were other rumors that he was seen alive the next morning. There were even other rumors that he had actually gone to an after hours party and went home with a hookup.

That's where we circle back to the Smiley Face theory. Many cases are the same thing. There is a body. The body shows signs of drowning or asphyxiation. Ruled undetermined or misfortune. Unsubstantiated rumors swirl around the case.

Occam's razor makes me lean to drunk guys thinking they are invincible doing stupid stuff that get's them dead. Could there be more? Sure. Is it some dark web conspiracy? I'm still unconvinced.

I don't know if this site is included in any of the multi-page threads linked but it's a good resource. I found it while googling a few younger guys that have gone missing and either completely disappeared or been found in the Mohawk or Hudson under these same circumstances. One of the highway offramps near where one of the men went missing still, over a decade later, has a huge rock with a creepy as hell smiley face painted on next to it. It appeared the same night one of the men went missing.

Anyway, link.

a reply to: dreamingawake

i really enjoyed the videos you posted.

the Johnny Gosch story is tragic, im not sure if it was police incompetence or a direct link because it seems like they didnt follow up and dropped the case rather quickly.

isnt he thought to be that white house reporter that no one ever heard of but was all buddy buddy with Pres Bush II?

as for the SFK group, i could see a group of 3-4 people traveling around killing people. but a nationwide group/gang is hard to believe, so far none of these people have been nabbed by the cops. people make mistakes more people make more mistakes(and no secret is safe in a large group).

a small tight group that is more than likely blood related makes much more sense, loyalty is just part of being in a family.

originally posted by: JohnnyCanuck

originally posted by: Xcathdra
An interesting case, that of Johnny Gosch, leads into the sex rings in the US that link into the elites and international rings.

You're a cop, right? You want a new hobby, take a plunge into this particular rabbit hole.

I have and it is exactly the reason why in one of my response I explained why some theories for cases are dismissed. The reason being prominent elite powerful people are suspects.

Des Moines / West Demoines Iowa was labeled in the top 100 area for child trafficking / sex rings. If you look up media accounts there have been several large scale rings shut down however since Des Moines is a major hub the problem exists still today. One ring brought down over 100 people and another raid brought home a bunch of missing children (just like the one in Michigan).

Johnny Gosch's case deals with those at the top, both in local politics as well as DC politics. I believe the link I gave, who took Johnny Gosch, is the one discussing the Washington connections. In that documentary they interview some people, one of which claims he assisted in Gosch's kidnapping and was a victim himself. The 2 who came forward disclosing the political connections were not only dismissed but were charged with perjury.

The weird twist in this case was the Mother. While at a court hearing she told the judge she had one contact with her son years later. In that meeting he told her he was able to sneak away but had to return and said if anyone found out about the meeting peoples lives would be in danger. That was the last time she saw her son. He explained to her it was a sex trafficking ring, a guy named the colonel was involved (Colorado I think) and kids being taken to the White House / other places in DC. Aty the time of his case George Bush Sr. was President and as we all know, there have been accusations against him / other politicians on this topic.

As with everything in the legal realm it doesnt matter what people think it only matters on what can be proven.


As for the op topic the Smiley Face killers is also an interesting topic. From what I have seen there are connections but like someone else pointed out there is a possibility the murders / deaths are in fact random and coincidental in nature. Weirder things have happened.

a reply to: penroc3

Yes and the rep has denied being Johnny Gosch. As for incompetence its something that needs to be looked at. Contrary to what people think now days a person does not have to be missing for 24 hours before you can report it. If the missing person is an adult other protocols kick in but if its a minor law enforcement can pretty much act the moment its brought to their attention.

For some background regarding the Amber Alert system. It is an awesome system and has saved lives however some of the requirements can hinder an investigation. In order to qualify the minor a person of interest and vehicle description is required., If you dont have either its unlikely that the alert would go out. It is one of the reasons states have developed their own in stated or region alert in several states. We have a grey alert in my state that deals with senior citizens who go missing.

In Victoria, Australia, we had The Family murders.

A bunch of homosexual men, kidnapping, raping and killing young men.

One guy went to gaol, the rest are still free.
The guy in gaol pretty much rapes whoever he feels like.

Victorian Police run child trafficking rings and child porn. They were actually taking children from school and pre school, to a house they owned and abused and filmed it. Linked to the OTO. Alistair Crowley creeps.

The place in Tamworth sounds like an MKUKTRA site, I would like to hear more about it, from the Aussie Anon.

"Coincidences such as I lived in a college town an recall one case where a young man who fit the average demographic was found deceased but apparently due to the elements (but non drowning)."

Anyone that has been to college will understand what it happening here: several times per week you'll see someone that is completely obliterated by alcohol (and other chemical experimentation) and passed out. Happily for most of these unconscious award winners, they pass out among friends who will look after them or at least keep them from danger. It's the ones that wander off by themselves that get into trouble (fall down, pass out, freeze to death or tumble into water and drown).

Don't you find it a bit odd there are far fewer cases of "smiley-face murders" that exhibit no signs of foul play--just exposure to the elements--in warm months and locations farther south?

Occam's Razor, indeed.

a reply to: dreamingawake

"Is a Serial-Killer Gang Murdering Young Men Across the U.S.?"

Undoubtedly so.

They are called the Police.

And they are everywhere.