A prosecutor has moved to shut down speculation that a serial killer is on the loose in Houston, Texas amid public fears.
Over the past few months, dozens of bodies have been found in the waterways of the city, prompting some to believe that a monster could be operating in the area.
34 people dead leads to serial killer concerns
In total, 34 people have been found dead in the rivers and lakes of the Texan city this year, with a good number of those being discovered very recently.
Just last Monday, three bodies turned up in two bayous and seven bodies were found between September and October.
This has obviously led some to believe that one person could be behind all of the mysterious deaths and grisly discoveries.
But is a serial killer really responsible for the bodies piling up in Houston’s waterways?
A retired NYPD sergeant-turned-criminal justice professor wasn’t so sure whether there might be a serial killer behind it all.
Joseph Giacalone said that it was ‘unlikely’ that this is all a coincidence.
In October, he said: "Something is afoot,
"A careful inspection of each case is warranted, including the 48 hours prior to the discovery of their disappearance."
A local resident, Erick Cortez, also agreed that it is ‘ridiculous that so many people are dying in the bayou’.
Officials aren’t so sure that a serial killer is on the loose
Now, Harris County’s top prosecutor has moved to quell the speculation of a serial killer at large, insisting that there are plenty of other possibilities.
District Attorney Sean Teare said that this is categorically not the work of a serial killer, despite what many believe.
In fact, he gave a ‘crystal clear’ update on the situation as it stands.
He told local media: “There is nothing, nothing, and I want to be crystal clear, to indicate that there is someone operating here as a serial killer,
"There are many reasons for these deaths. None of them are a serial killer."
He said that the city has a ‘massive homeless problem’ and a mental health and substance misuse crisis that is contributing to the deaths.
Teare added: “"It’s kind of a little-known fact, but when you get into the bayous, it is very difficult to get out,
"When you combine that with someone that is high on some substance, someone that is intoxicated somehow, it makes it even more difficult.
"Yes, there are times where we recover bodies that were placed in the bayou criminally, no question, but that is not something that is a regular occurrence."
He explained that tackling homelessness would result in a ‘drop’ in the volume of bodies being found.
What’s more, he apportioned some of the blame to the time of year, too.
"The holidays are always difficult, and it’s not just the tragedies of people dying in the bayou.
"We see murders increase, we see intoxication, manslaughter increase."