16th Body Pulled from Houston Bayou — Fears of a Serial Killer Spread
Fear has taken hold of Houston after the discovery of yet another body — the 16th — pulled from the city’s bayous under mysterious circumstances.
The string of recoveries has led many to wonder: Could a serial killer be on the loose?
Emergency responders found the most recent body earlier this month, adding to a growing list of unexplained deaths in Houston’s sprawling waterways. Victims vary widely in age, gender, and background, and several have yet to be identified.
The situation has sparked intense online speculation and widespread fear among residents. Theories and rumors flooded social media, forcing Houston Mayor John Whitmire to publicly address the issue.
“We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston,” the mayor said in a press briefing. “If there was, you’d hear it from me first.”
He emphasized that many of the deceased were homeless individuals who may have died elsewhere before being found in the bayou — not victims of a serial attacker. Still, the mayor’s assurances haven’t quieted public concern.
Recent victims include Jade McKissick, 21, Rodney Chatman, 43, and Seth Hansen, 24, all found within weeks of each other near separate bayou sections. Others include Arnulfo Alvarado, 63, and Michael Rice, 66, whose deaths remain under investigation.