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When Plattsburgh State student Josh Szostak's body was found in the Hudson River April 17, his death was ruled as an accidental drowning - a verdict his father, Bill Szostak, was not willing to accept.
Missing since Dec. 23, 2007, Szostak was last seen leaving a bar in Albany. Nearly four months later, his body was found about 30 miles from where he went missing.
When Bill Szostak came across a smiley face spray-painted on a tree near the location, he was certain his son's death was no accident, and continues to search for clues that may link his death to the alleged "smiley face gang."
"This organization has murdered 53 boys in 11 states, and we know their killing season is coming up soon," Szostak said.
Retired New York City detectives Kevin Gannon and Anthony Duarte have been investigating cases that may be linked with the supposed serial killer or group of serial killers since 1997. The killer or killers appear to target popular college-age white males.
"He (Josh) was drinking out of a glass and someone slipped a date rape drug in," Szostak said. "We have evidence of that - even on surveillance video - and it's something that definitely needs to be addressed."
Szostak stresses the importance of staying in groups and being aware of your surroundings when you're out drinking.
"Males, especially young males, seem to have this attitude that they are safe and can't be harmed," he said. "I don't want to see another boy or family go through what we have."
During the fall and early winter months, the water in rivers and lakes becomes cooler and bodies stay submerged for longer, Szostak explained. He said he thinks that's the reason for the timing of these murders. Traces of date rape drugs can only be found in the fluid of the eyeballs, and by the time a body surfaces, all evidence is erased, he said.
PSUC's Chief of University Police Arlene Sabo advises students who go out drinking to walk in groups, to avoid drinking from party punch bowls and to keep track of each other at all times.
"When you're under the influence of alcohol or some other drug, you have a false sense of security," she said. "There's definitely something to the saying 'safety in numbers.'"
While more often than not students leave campus to drink, there are security measures on campus to help reduce risks and keep students safe.
"Residence life recently installed very expensive proximity access to entry halls," Sabo said. These proximity readers prevent students from sharing entry codes as they had in the past and from entering any dorm besides their own after midnight.
Other security measures include cameras and emergency phones in building entryways, emergency blue light phones dispersed throughout campus and parking lots, enhanced 911 calling from dorm telephones and University Police escorts.
Although Josh's case was ruled as an accident, Szostak will continue to investigate his son's death until he finds justice.
"Unfortunately, I have to take it upon myself to find out who murdered my son," he said. "There was money raised, but people don't realize the amount that's needed in search efforts. Those funds have since been exhausted."
To raise money to help investigate his and other cases linked to the "smiley face gang," Szostak has started a non-profit organization through which people can make donations.
He has also started a petition to have the investigations re-opened, stating on it, "We, the family and friends of these victims, believe that justice remains to be served, and deem that enough evidence currently exists to question the initial law enforcement findings, including the FBI."
Szostak will be collecting petitions up until Dec. 15, at which time he will present them to congress.
"Josh was such a well rounded boy," his father said. "He wasn't a nerdy kid. He wasn't a gangster. He was just a fun loving person. From a father's perspective, he was a son who made me proud."
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