On July 14, 2022, the body of Ricky Parks, a 59-year-old African American male from Austin, Texas, was discovered floating in Lady Bird Lake. Emergency responders from Austin-Travis County EMS were dispatched to the scene after reports of a person possibly deceased in the water. Upon arrival, medics confirmed the individual was dead and began recovery efforts to bring the body back to shore.
The Austin Police Department’s homicide division responded to the scene, and initial assessments suggested the body may have been in the lake for several days.
Following an investigation and an open records request in August 2023, the Austin Police Department officially identified the deceased as Ricky Parks. Authorities determined that no foul play was involved in his death, and the case was subsequently closed. The Travis County Medical Examiner did not report any suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident, and there were no signs of trauma or criminal activity.
Despite public speculation fueled by a series of similar deaths in Lady Bird Lake, law enforcement consistently dismissed theories of a serial killer operating in the area. Ricky Parks was the first of multiple individuals found deceased in or near the lake since mid-2022, prompting concern among residents and true crime enthusiasts. However, police maintained that each case was investigated independently and that no evidence linked the deaths to a common perpetrator.
No arrests were made in connection with the death of Ricky Parks, and no suspects were identified. The investigation concluded with the determination that his death was not the result of a criminal act.
