Twenty-four bodies have been recovered from Houston-area bayous this year, sparking safety concerns around the waterways and social media rumors about a serial killer.
Houston police and Mayor John Whitmire have repeatedly assured the public that the cases are not linked, but questions remain about the details surrounding the deaths. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, which serves as the county’s medical examiner, has only determined a cause of death in seven of the cases. One body found in White Oak Bayou earlier this month has not yet been identified.
Houstonians have demanded answers from police and city leaders on how the deaths happened and how to prevent further tragedies. Whitmire has said he’s not sure of a “failsafe” way to prevent deaths in the bayous. Police Chief Noe Diaz urged community members to avoid swimming and kayaking in the bayous…