Here is all the information available on the 24 individuals discovered deceased in Houston bayous this year as concerns mount over a possible serial killer at large.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire has repeatedly rejected these theories, stating earlier this month: “We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas.”
“Enough is enough of wild speculation,” he declared during a press conference earlier this month.
The mayor described the drownings as “not a new phenomenon,” attributing the tragedies to drugs, alcohol, and homelessness.
“Unfortunately the homeless, when they pass, often end up in the bayou,” he explained.
Nevertheless, 24 lives have been claimed in Houston-area bayous this year, raising alarms about the safety of the region’s waterways.
A significant number of bodies have surfaced in Houston bayous, including 24-year-old Carl Newton, recovered in February.
An autopsy determined Newton’s death as sudden, accidental cardiac arrest linked to heart disease and high blood pressure, with hypothermia also cited.
Juan Garcia Loredo, 69, was pulled from a Houston bayou, but his cause of death remains undetermined.
Authorities recovered 34-year-old Kenneth Jones, whose death was likewise listed as undetermined.
Convicted felon George Grays, 54, was found in a Houston bayou on May 9 this year.
Ernest Armstrong, 62, was retrieved from a bayou in Houston earlier this summer, with his cause of death still unclear.
The Houston Chronicle notes Armstrong had multiple felony convictions in Harris County.
Thirty-year-old Raymond Hatten Jr. perished in Houston waterways, his body located on July 7.
“Raymond was the typical ‘around-the-way’ guy who loved to write and recite his lyrics to anyone who would listen,” his obituary stated.
One victim was discovered in or near each of these bayous around Houston in 2025: Hunting, Channelview, Greens, and White Oak Bayou.
Seth Hansen, residing along White Oak Bayou, was recovered from the water on September 16, with his cause of death pending as of Friday, per the Houston Chronicle.
Forty-three-year-old Rodney Chatman’s body was found in a canal at 13400 East Freeway near Greens Bayou on September 15, his cause of death also pending.
Brent Everett Brown, just 28, died earlier this year when authorities retrieved his body from a Channelview bayou on June 12.
An obituary for Brown read: “Though his circle was small, his impact was immense. Brent’s kindness, loyalty, and quiet humor left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him.”
Douglas Swearingen, 44, reported missing in January, was soon located near 10900 Dunvegan Way by Hunting Bayou, according to an autopsy.
Swearingen had prior felony convictions for drug possession and attempted retaliation.
An autopsy revealed 35-year-old Anthony Curry drowned with acute toxic effects from phencyclidine and ethanol, after recovery from Brays Bayou on May 17.
Like several others, Curry had felony convictions for drug possession and evading arrest.
Jamal Alexander, 31, was pulled from the same waterways in August, his cause of death pending.
Fifty-seven-year-old Latricia Amos was found in Brays Bayou that month, her cause of death unknown.
Arnulfo Alvarado, 63, Michael Rice, 67, and Michaela Miller were discovered dead in Buffalo Bayou within eight days last month, all causes unclear.
Meanwhile, 34-year-old Salome Garza’s body was retrieved from Buffalo Bayou on June 11, cause pending as of Friday.
Rodolfo Salas Sosa fatally plummeted from a highway overpass into a bayou earlier this year, per a Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences autopsy.
Anthony Azua, 33, drowned in March, as determined by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
Culcois Racius was found dead in May, while 14-year-old Shannon Davis’ tragic death was ruled accidental drowning.