Texans are bracing themselves as fears grow that a potential serial killer could be on the loose, as dozens of bodies have reportedly been pulled from the waterways of Houston this year.
In 2025 alone, there have been at least 34 corpses pulled from the city’s bayous, which is one short of the number of bodies discovered in its waters in 2024.
Authorities have repeatedly insisted the high numbers are not the work of a killer, but locals are demanding answers as panic spreads across the city.
Three more corpses have been discovered this week alone, with two of those coming on Monday (December 22).
The first was pulled from Buffalo Bayou after a passerby spotted it and called 911, prompting a response from the Houston Police Department’s dive team.
The same day, another body was recovered from Brays Bayou. Meanwhile, a third was discovered on Christmas Eve in Buffalo Bayou, Houston Police confirmed.
Two more bodies have been pulled from Houston’s Buffalo Bayou in the last week (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
According to records held by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office and obtained by KPRC 2, at least 198 bodies have been found in Houston’s bayous since 2017.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire has stressed that the tragic discoveries shouldn’t worry residents.
“We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose,” he explained back in September.
Later adding: “What do you think happens when a homeless person dies from an illness, diabetes or cancer? What do you think his friends and associates do? They do not take him to a funeral home. Unfortunately, the homeless, when they pass, often end up in the bayou.”
The surge in discoveries has left some residents uneasy, with social media speculation pointing toward the idea of a serial killer. However, police and experts say these fears are likely misplaced.
Houston mayor John Whitmire has insisted the number of bodies recovered from Houston’s bayous is not due to the work of a serial killer (Bob Levey/Getty Images for Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce )
Research by Texas State University professor Kim Rossmo highlights that drowning is an unusual method for serial killers, who typically use more brutal methods.
“Serial killers stab or strangle or sometimes shoot, but drowning is uncommon. And one of the reasons is, if you think about it, it’s really hard to kill somebody by drowning.
“There’s a lot of steps involved and a lot of chances for people to escape,” Rossmo explained.
He added: “We don’t have a serial killer, but we do have a drowning problem.”
