The mysterious circumstances surrounding drownings in La Crosse, Wisconsin have puzzled investigators for years. Between 1998 and 2006, at least five young men ended up in the frigid waters of the Mississippi River, with only one survivor to tell the tale. Colen Fortney, a University of Wisconsin-Madison student, miraculously survived after waking up in the river one January night in 2006, despite having no memory of how he got there.

This pattern of incidents caught the attention of retired New York City detectives Kevin Ganon and Anthony Duarte, who investigate the "Smiley Face Murder Theory." The case of Luke Homan later that year further fueled speculation. The 21-year-old basketball player disappeared during Oktoberfest celebrations, with his body recovered days later showing unexplained injuries, including bruises and abrasions consistent with a possible altercation. His high blood alcohol content, trace amounts of GHB, and unusual marks on his clothing raised questions about whether his drowning was truly accidental.

Key Takeaways

A series of mysterious drownings in La Crosse, Wisconsin between 1998-2006 included one survivor who had no memory of entering the river.
Retired detectives investigating the "Smiley Face Murder Theory" found these cases suspicious due to their similar patterns.
Luke Homan's 2006 drowning involved unexplained injuries, high blood alcohol content, and physical evidence suggesting possible foul play.

The Mysterious Case of Colen Fortney

The Incident at La Crosse, Wisconsin

On January 8, 2006, at approximately 7:00 a.m., an unusual event unfolded at Gunderson Luther Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison student Colen Fortney arrived at the medical facility in a concerning state - wet, shivering, and disoriented. His appearance immediately raised questions among the medical staff as they attempted to understand what had happened to the young man.

Fortney's recollection of events was fragmentary at best. He could only remember dancing at a downtown bar before experiencing a significant gap in his memory. His next conscious moment was fighting for survival in the frigid Mississippi River as the current carried him downstream.

The Survival of Colen Fortney

What distinguishes Fortney's case from similar incidents is his remarkable survival. As he was swept downstream by the powerful current, he spotted a concrete slab near the riverbank. Despite the challenging conditions, he managed to swim toward it and pull himself to safety.

After collapsing briefly on the shore from exhaustion, Fortney gathered enough strength to make his way to the nearby medical center. His survival story caught the attention of former New York City police detectives Kevin Ganon and Anthony Duarte, who were investigating what they termed the "Smiley Face Murder Theory."

The detectives recognized that Fortney's case aligned with several other incidents they were studying. Had Fortney not survived, he would have become another statistic in what some were beginning to view as a disturbing pattern rather than a series of coincidences.

Previous Incidents in La Crosse

Prior to Fortney's experience, at least four young men had mysteriously ended up in the Mississippi River at La Crosse between 1998 and 2006. Later that same year, another young man named Luke Homan would join this concerning list.

Luke Homan, a 21-year-old senior at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, disappeared on September 29, 2006, while celebrating Oktoberfest. Standing 6'3" tall, Homan was a member of the university's basketball team and was pursuing a degree in finance.

The timeline of Homan's last night shows:

Time Location Details 9:00 PM The Vibe (300 block of Fourth Street South) Seen with friends 11:30 PM Coconut Joe's Reported sighting (unconfirmed) 1:00-2:00 AM The Library bar Reported sighting (unconfirmed) 2:30 AM The Vibe Final reported sighting

Following his disappearance, police dogs tracked Homan's scent from Third Street South to Pearl Street, ultimately leading to Riverside Park and the river's edge. Divers located his body on October 2nd, approximately 10 feet underwater and near the shoreline. He was still fully clothed in the same outfit he had worn that night.

The autopsy revealed several concerning details:

Bruises and abrasions on his forehead, biceps, right side, and knuckles
Epidermal blisters on his wrists
Three scratches and a pressure wound on his forehead
Blood alcohol content of .33 (potentially lower at time of death)
Trace amounts of GHB in his system

The nature and pattern of these injuries suggested a possible altercation before his death. The wrist blisters were consistent with ligature marks, while the forehead bruise resembled the impression of a woman's boot toe.

Examining Past Cases by Veteran Police Personnel

Former NYPD Officers' Investigation

Kevin Ganon and Anthony Duarte, retired New York City police detectives, took particular interest in the case of Colen Fortney, who survived a mysterious immersion in the Mississippi River in January 2006. Fortney's experience caught their attention because it potentially connected to a pattern they were already investigating. The detectives noted that between 1998 and 2006, at least four young men had ended up in the Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wisconsin under unclear circumstances.

Fortney's case was unique because he survived. He reported waking up swimming in the freezing Mississippi waters with no memory of how he got there, having last remembered dancing at a downtown bar. After finding a concrete slab, he pulled himself to shore and made his way to Gunderson Luther Medical Center for help.

The River Death Pattern Theory

The detectives have developed what they call the "Smiley Face Murder Theory" based on similarities in numerous drowning cases across multiple states. In La Crosse specifically, had Fortney not survived, he would have been the sixth young man to drown in the area in less than a decade.

The Luke Homan case from September 2006 exhibits several characteristics that the detectives find concerning:

Last seen at bars in downtown La Crosse during Oktoberfest
Found in the Mississippi River days after disappearing
Showed unexplained injuries including:
- Bruises and abrasions on forehead, biceps, and knuckles
- Epidermal blisters on wrists
- Three scratches and a pressure wound on forehead

The detectives believe these injuries could be consistent with:

Involvement in a physical altercation
Possible dragging to the river
Potential restraint (suggested by wrist blisters)

Particularly notable was the bruise pattern on Homan's forehead, which resembled the toe of a woman's boot, suggesting possible female involvement if foul play occurred. Additionally, trace amounts of GHB were found in his system, though not enough to conclusively indicate drugging.

Luke Homan's Vanishing and Subsequent Recovery

The Final Night's Sequence of Events

Luke Homan, a 21-year-old University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse senior and basketball player, disappeared on September 29, 2006, during Oktoberfest celebrations. Standing 6'3", the finance major was last definitively seen at a bar called "The Vibe" on Third Street South around 9:00 PM.

Witness accounts of his movements that night remain inconsistent. Some reported seeing him at Coconut Joe's around 11:30 PM, while others claimed to have spotted him at "The Library" bar between 1:00 and 2:00 AM. A final possible sighting placed him back at The Vibe around 2:30 AM.

Police dogs tracked Luke's scent from Third Street South to Pearl Street, eventually leading investigators to the riverbank at Riverside Park. This trail would prove crucial in the subsequent search efforts.

Investigative Process and Medical Examination Results

Search operations intensified on October 2nd when cadaver dogs were deployed to narrow the search area. Dive teams from the Lacrosse Area Underwater Rescue Service discovered Luke's body approximately 10 feet underwater and near the shoreline.

Autopsy Finding Details Decomposition level Slight to moderate Blood alcohol content 0.33% (likely 0.27-0.30% at time of entry) Foreign substances Trace amounts of GHB detected Clothing condition Still wearing original outfit with some mud present

The medical examiner conducted the autopsy in Hastings, Minnesota, without allowing family viewing beforehand. Luke's body showed relatively minimal decomposition, consistent with the cold water temperature and approximately five days of submersion.

Physical Trauma and Potential Evidence of Assault

Luke's body exhibited several concerning injuries that raised questions about the circumstances of his death:

Facial injuries: Three scratches and a pressure wound on his forehead
Upper body trauma: Bruises and abrasions on his forehead, biceps, and right side
Hand injuries: Abrasions on his knuckles consistent with defensive wounds
Wrist damage: Epidermal blisters on both wrists

The reddish color of these abrasions indicates they occurred while Luke was still alive. The pattern of injuries appears consistent with potential involvement in a physical altercation. Particularly troubling was a forehead bruise pattern resembling the toe of a woman's boot.

The blistering on Luke's wrists could suggest ligature marks from being restrained or dragged. His clothing showed distinctive damage, including broken belt loops and orange flecks resembling polish on his sweatshirt—potentially indicating he was grabbed forcefully.

Analysis and Research Findings

Case Connections

The survival of Colen Fortney presents a critical perspective on the mysterious drownings in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Between 1998 and 2006, at least five young men ended up in the Mississippi River under similar circumstances, with only Fortney surviving. His experience mirrors the pattern: one moment at a downtown bar, the next in the frigid river waters. This survival case caught the attention of former NYC detectives Kevin Ganon and Anthony Duarte, who investigate the "smiley face murder theory."

Luke Homan's 2006 drowning fits this pattern disturbingly well. The 21-year-old finance student and basketball player was celebrating Oktoberfest on September 29, 2006, before disappearing. His movements that night remain partially unclear, with witnesses placing him at various bars including the Vibe and potentially Coconut Joe's.

Blood Alcohol Factors

The toxicology reports show significant intoxication in these cases, potentially explaining some circumstances while raising other questions:

Case BAC Level Notes Luke Homan 0.33% (post-mortem) Likely 0.27-0.30% at time of drowning Other victims Various elevated levels Common factor in all cases

This high level of intoxication would significantly impair judgment and coordination. However, several aspects of these cases suggest intoxication alone may not explain everything. In Homan's case, the presence of trace GHB raises questions, though levels were inconclusive regarding deliberate drugging.

Potential Assault Evidence

Several physical findings suggest Luke Homan may have experienced violence before entering the water:

Injuries consistent with altercation:
- Bruises and abrasions on forehead, biceps, right side
- Knuckle injuries suggesting defensive wounds
- Three scratches and pressure wound on forehead
Possible restraint evidence:
- Epidermal blisters on wrists potentially from ligatures
- Forehead bruise pattern matching a woman's boot toe

The physical evidence combined with damaged clothing (broken belt loops and mysterious orange flecks on his sweatshirt) suggests he may have been dragged. If these indicators point to an attack, the presence of wrist marks could indicate restraint while unconscious from alcohol, drugs, or physical trauma.

Dogs tracking Homan's scent led directly to the riverbank, confirming his path but not revealing whether he walked there voluntarily or was transported. The body's discovery just feet from shore in 10 feet of water raises questions about whether he simply fell in or was placed there.

The survival of Fortney provides a crucial perspective on what might have happened to the others who weren't fortunate enough to escape the river's current.

Smiley Face Killers: The Lone Survivor Who Escaped Death in La Crosse