The City of Austin is enforcing more safety measures near the Rainey Street Entertainment District and Lady Bird Lake. The announcement comes after many Austinites took to social media to express concern over bodies being pulled from the lake in recent years.

Safety measures include APD patrolling the area, along with more park rangers being stationed along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. A fence barrier was also put up between the trail and the water, and lighting was installed along the trail to increase visibility for those walking after dark.

Many on social media theorize that a serial killer in Austin could be the cause of the deaths due to similiarities between the incidents; the victims are men in their 20s and 30s found in the lake after a night out on Rainey Street. There's even a Facebook group with over 65,000 members dedicated to theories and discussions about an alleged "Lady Bird Lake Killer."

But the city acknowledged a much more likely root of the incidents: unaccompanied, intoxicated people wandering near a body of water.

“While the circumstances of the drownings over the past nine years varied, one common theme is the combination of alcohol and access to Lady Bird Lake, which can be difficult to see at night,” the announcement read.

According to the announcement, several drownings between 2014 and 2018 were ruled accidental with no indication of foul play, and autopsies don’t show indication of assault. The most recent drownings are still under investigation, but the city says there is no evidence of foul play in those incidents either.

“We understand that Rainey Street is a destination for many visitors and Austinites alike, but we urge everyone who visits to take care of themselves and each other,” Interim City Manager Jesús Garza said. “As a City, we recognize we need to do more to keep people safe in this area. We are moving quickly to do so and are reaching out to businesses on Rainey Street and other state agencies to partner with us in this crucially important effort. We also ask visitors to Rainey Street to drink responsibly and stay safe by staying together.”