Here’s what we know about the 24 bodies found in Houston bayous this year, as fears of a serial killer grow.
The unsettling discoveries have sparked fears that a serial killer may be operating in the area. However, local officials, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire, have firmly rejected these claims, insisting that the deaths are not connected.
"We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas," Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in a press conference earlier this month, per PEOPLE. “If there was, you would hear it from me first.
“So, I’m before you today to let you know that enough is enough of wild speculation. It’s very frustrating to me to be at home, watch the news, or social media, and see people spread what I know to be false,” Whitmire added.
Multiple bodies have been found in Houston's bayou. Credit: Jill Karnicki / Houston Chronicle / Getty Images.
Mayor Whitmire attributed the deaths primarily to factors like drug and alcohol use, as well as homelessness.
He emphasized that it is not uncommon for homeless individuals to end up in the bayous after their passing. "Unfortunately, the homeless, when they pass, often end up in the bayou," he shared, per Yahoo.
Despite the mayor’s reassurances, concerns have grown due to the number of bodies found.
The Victims and the Bayous
The bodies of people ranging from 14 to 69 years old have been found across several bayous, including Buffalo Bayou, Brays Bayou, White Oak Bayou, and Greens Bayou. Many of the deaths are marked as drownings, with a mixture of undetermined and pending causes of death.
Notable cases include: 24-year-old Carl Newton, found in February, whose autopsy ruled his death a sudden, accidental cardiac event, complicated by hypothermia, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Anthony Curry, 35, was found in Brays Bayou in May, and their cause of death was ruled drowning with acute toxic effects of phencyclidine and ethanol.
Shannon Davis, 14, tragically drowned, and her death was ruled an accident. Arnulfo Alvarado, 63, was discovered on September 18, with his cause of death still pending.
As of now, only seven of the 24 cases have had causes of death determined, with the remainder either undetermined or pending.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire has previously shut down the serial killer claims. Credit: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers / Getty
Safety Concerns and City Measures
Houston’s bayous are a significant feature of the city’s landscape, with over 2,500 miles of unprotected waterways.
The city has installed some safety measures, such as barricades in certain areas and enhanced lighting in some places along the bayous. However, there has been no major overhaul in safety protocols, despite the growing number of deaths.
Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz urged caution around the waterways, saying: "I don't know of a fail-safe way, when bayous are such a part of our lifestyle and environment, other than everyone should be smart."
He also advised Houstonians to stay away from the waterways, particularly in areas where safety measures are lacking.
Fragmented Responsibility for Bayou Safety
The lack of a centralized authority responsible for safety along the bayous has also added to concerns. The Harris County Flood Control District manages the bayous for flood control, but security and safety measures often fall to local communities or management districts.
The Houston Parks Board has made efforts to maintain certain green spaces, and the Buffalo Bayou Partnership monitors sections of the bayou through private patrols.
Local leaders are calling for a more coordinated approach, with some suggesting the appointment of a dedicated “bayou czar” to oversee safety measures and investigations into the deaths.
First responders search the water at White Oak Bayou. Credit: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers / Getty
As the investigation into these deaths continues, many residents are left questioning the safety of the bayous and whether more should be done to prevent further tragedies.
While officials insist there is no serial killer, the public remains concerned about the high number of fatalities.