On Tuesday, Texas officials denied rumors of a serial killer after five bodies were discovered in a single city’s bayous.
The Houston Chronicle reported that the five people were found in three bayous in Houston within six days. One of those people was University of Houston student Jade McKissic, whose body was recovered from Brays Bayou on September 15, five days after her disappearance.
McKissic is the only person who has been publicly identified so far. Foul play is not suspected in her death.
KHOU reported that a second person has been identified, but officials are not publicly identifying them until their family is notified.
According to the Houston Chronicle, 13 people have been found dead in Houston bayous this year. However, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said there is no evidence suggesting their deaths are connected.
“I do say enough is enough on speculation, out of respect for the families and also the 2.3 million Houstonians in our region. We have challenges — we’re meeting those challenges — but a serial killer loose in Houston is not one of our challenges today,” Whitmire said.
Whitmire went on to say that mental health and drugs could play a role in these deaths, noting that the homeless population often live near bayous.
Houston police Chief Noe J. Diaz Jr. confirmed that five bodies have been recovered from city bayous between September 15 and 20. Like Whitmire, Diaz said there is no evidence these cases are connected, but the medical examiner will make the final determination.
“For us, agency rumors stir fear and anxiety in our community,” he said, according to KRIV. “It’s important to rely on verified information and investigations.”
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[Feature Photo: Houston police]
