HOUSTON — A somber discovery late Thursday night added to growing concerns over recent deaths in Houston’s waterways. Authorities confirmed that a woman’s body was pulled from the water near Commerce and Milam streets, close to downtown Houston.
The Houston Police Department (HPD) said they were called to the scene around 11:30 p.m. after a group of scooter riders reported what appeared to be a body in the bayou. HPD’s dive team later recovered the woman, whose identity has not yet been released. Officials stressed it is too early to determine how she ended up in the water, with the Harris County medical examiner expected to determine the official cause of death.
This latest recovery marks the sixth body found in or near Houston’s bayous in the past two weeks, fueling online speculation and concern among residents.
A Timeline of Recent Waterway Recoveries
Authorities noted that while multiple bodies have been found in recent weeks, only one has been publicly identified so far: University of Houston student Jade “Sage” McKissick, who was reported missing earlier this month. A second person has also been identified, but their name remains withheld until families are notified.
- Monday, Sept. 15: Two bodies were recovered. One was UH student Jade “Sage” McKissick from Brays Bayou; police reported no signs of foul play. The second body, found in a canal near the East Freeway at Greens Bayou, was ruled a natural death.
- Tuesday, Sept. 16: A body was recovered from White Oak Bayou near 2200 White Oak Drive; cause of death is pending.
- Thursday, Sept. 18: Witnesses reported a person jumping into Buffalo Bayou near Jensen Drive and Navigation Boulevard who never resurfaced. That death was ruled a drowning.
- Saturday, Sept. 20: A body was pulled from the bayou at North York Street.
- Thursday, Sept. 25: The most recent recovery near Commerce and Milam.
So far this year, at least 13 bodies have been recovered from Houston waterways, with 24 found throughout 2024, according to officials.
Rumors and Reassurances
The cluster of deaths has prompted online speculation, with some users suggesting a serial killer might be responsible. City officials and criminal justice experts, however, have repeatedly rejected such claims.
“No, I mean, at this time, there’s no indication — there’s nothing that would give us that indication,” an HPD spokesperson said when asked about potential connections between the cases.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire addressed the issue directly at a recent press conference:
“I do say enough is enough on speculation, out of respect for the families and also the 2.3 million Houstonians in our region. We have challenges — we’re meeting those challenges — but a serial killer loose in Houston is not one of our challenges today.”
The mayor noted that a variety of factors could explain why individuals end up in the bayous, including accidents, homelessness, or mental health crises.
Expert Insights
Criminal justice experts also dismissed theories of a serial killer. Dr. Krista Gehring, a University of Houston-Downtown professor of criminal justice, explained:
“The short answer is no. It’s possible these are accidental deaths, or people unfortunately taking their own lives. There are a lot of alternative, less alarming explanations for all of these bodies turning up.”
She noted that serial killers typically target a specific demographic or follow a discernible pattern, which is not evident in these cases.
Former Houston police officer Tom Nixon echoed this sentiment:
“I don’t think there’s a serial murderer problem because the causes of death are not consistent. While there were five in one week, overall, it’s probably not going to deviate from any historical pattern. It’s something that happens.”
Both experts cautioned against amplifying fear online or in the media.
What Happens Next
Authorities are awaiting the medical examiner’s report to confirm the cause of death for the woman recovered Thursday night. HPD confirmed updates will be shared once her identity is verified and family members have been notified.
Houston residents are urged to remain vigilant near waterways, but city officials emphasize that there is no evidence to suggest a single criminal is behind these deaths.
Reported by NewsPulse Reporter | NewsPulse Media
Leave a Reply