HOUSTON, TEXAS — A growing mystery has gripped the city of Houston after a total of sixteen bodies were discovered in the same waterway over the past several weeks. The most recent find occurred on October 8, when a dive team recovered a body from White Oak Bayou near Marie Street shortly after 9 a.m. Investigators say there are no immediate signs of foul play, and the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has yet to determine the cause of death.
The series of grim discoveries has fueled speculation among residents about the possibility of a serial killer operating in the area. However, local officials have strongly urged the public to avoid jumping to conclusions. During a press briefing on September 23, Houston Mayor John Whitmire acknowledged the disturbing pattern but dismissed claims of a serial killer.
“We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas,” Whitmire said. “If there was, you would hear it from me first.” He went on to condemn the spread of false information online, saying, “Enough is enough with wild speculation.”
Authorities have confirmed that five bodies were found during the week of September 15, followed by another discovery on September 26. The latest case brings the total to sixteen, though investigators have not found any links connecting the deaths.
Whitmire emphasized that Houston’s vast network of waterways — spanning more than 2,500 miles — often contributes to accidental drownings and unreported deaths. He noted that the city’s large homeless population is particularly vulnerable, and in some cases, deaths may go unreported when acquaintances fail to notify authorities. “There is no evidence to suggest that any of these incidents are connected,” the mayor reiterated.
Police Captain Salam Zia, head of the Houston Police Department’s homicide division, echoed that sentiment, explaining that all cases are being reviewed carefully and urging the public to rely on official updates. “We are investigating each incident individually and thoroughly,” Zia said. “At this time, there is no indication of a connection between the cases.”
The victims include both men and women, ranging from their twenties to their sixties. Among the identified individuals is 20-year-old student Jade McKissic, whose body was found on September 15, just days after she was reported missing.
Public unease has grown in recent weeks as news of the repeated discoveries spread on social media. Still, law enforcement officials stress that investigations are ongoing and that residents should avoid spreading unverified claims that could interfere with active cases.
Concerns over repeated waterway deaths are not limited to Houston. In Austin, a series of bodies recovered from Lady Bird Lake over the past three years has sparked similar public anxiety. Authorities in both cities are working to reassure residents that investigations remain active and that every death is being handled with the utmost care.
For now, officials continue to urge calm, emphasizing facts over fear. “This is an alarming situation, and we understand the concern,” Whitmire said. “But we have no evidence of a serial killer — only a commitment to find answers for every life lost.”