by Houston, Texas — Houston authorities have recovered another body from a local bayou, marking the third such discovery this week and pushing the total number of bayou-related deaths in the city to 34 so far this year, according to police.
The latest recovery occurred Wednesday afternoon, December 24, after reports of a body in Buffalo Bayou prompted an emergency response.
Body Recovered From Buffalo Bayou
In a post shared on social media, the Houston Police Department said officers, along with a dive team, responded to the scene and recovered the body from the water.
A separate news release from the City of Houston stated that a pedestrian first noticed the body in the bayou and alerted authorities.
“The HPD Dive Team responded to the scene and recovered the body from the water,” the city said.
The victim is believed to be an adult male, though officials have not released his identity.
Autopsy Pending as Investigation Continues
Police said the victim’s identity and cause of death are still unknown. An autopsy is pending and will be conducted by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, which is handling all forensic examinations related to the recent bayou deaths.
Authorities have not indicated whether foul play is suspected in this latest case.
Two Additional Bodies Found Earlier This Week
Wednesday’s discovery follows two separate body recoveries on Monday morning, December 22, according to local media reports.
One body was found in Buffalo Bayou, while another was discovered near Brays Bayou, in a different part of the city. Both cases remain under investigation, with autopsies still pending to determine cause and manner of death, as well as the identities of the victims.
Bayou Deaths Reach 34 in 2025
With the latest recovery, 34 bodies have now been found in Houston-area bayous this year, according to local outlets including Houston Public Media and KHOU.
The growing number has raised concerns among residents, particularly those who live near the waterways that weave through large portions of the city.
“It’s incredibly sad,” nearby resident Jesse Bellow told following Wednesday’s recovery. “There’s the sensationalized side of a serial killer which people purport as a possibility, but it could also be the incompetence of our leaders in taking care of the lowest members of our society who are still human and deserve respect.”
Long-Term Data Shows Alarming Trend
A December 10 investigative report by the Houston Chronicle found that more than 200 bodies have been recovered from Houston-area bayous since 2017.
According to the report, 2024 and 2025 are the deadliest years on record, with drownings accounting for nearly 40% of the fatalities. Another 40% of cases involved suicides, homicides, or blunt force trauma, underscoring the complex and varied circumstances behind the deaths.
Officials Reject Serial Killer Claims
Earlier this fall, Houston officials addressed growing online speculation that the bayou deaths could be linked to a serial killer. City leaders firmly rejected those claims.
“We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas,” said John Whitmire in September.
Read Also: Woman Accused of Trying to Smuggle 65 Pounds of Marijuana on Miami-to-London Flight
Law enforcement officials have consistently stated that each case is investigated individually, and no pattern has emerged connecting the deaths.
Community Concerns Persist
Despite those assurances, the continued recovery of bodies has left many Houstonians uneasy, particularly as investigations stretch on with few public details released.
Authorities urge residents to report anything unusual near bayous and to avoid entering waterways, which can be dangerous due to strong currents, steep embankments, and limited visibility.
As autopsy results are finalized in the coming days, police say more information may be released regarding the circumstances surrounding this week’s deaths.
Do you think Houston should invest more in bayou safety and monitoring, or are these incidents being misunderstood? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
