A Surge in River Deaths Shakes the City
Houston is on edge. Authorities have pulled a record number of bodies from its rivers this year, and people are scared. Many residents believe a serial killer could be at large, but police say there’s no solid evidence.
On October 8, divers found a man’s body in White Oak Bayou near Marie Street. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is now investigating how he died. That recovery marked the 16th body found this year, the highest number in recent memory.
In September, police discovered five bodies in five days. The speed and frequency of the cases shocked locals and fueled online speculation.
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Victims Found Across Age Groups
The Houston Police Department confirmed the victims were both men and women, aged 20 to 60. One case in particular caught public attention — Jade McKissic, a 20-year-old student at the University of Houston. She went missing on September 11 and was found dead four days later.
Her death added urgency to the investigation. People began asking whether Houston was dealing with a single killer or a string of tragic but unrelated drownings.
Old Theory Gains New Life
Former NYPD detective Kevin Gannon believes these deaths might connect to the infamous “Smiley Face Killers.” For years, Gannon has claimed a network of murderers has targeted young men across the U.S., killed them, and dumped their bodies into rivers.
He says the cases share patterns — college-age victims, mysterious disappearances, and drownings near bars or campuses. In some locations, police also found graffiti of a smiley face.
The theory remains controversial, but as the Houston death toll rises, it’s getting fresh attention. Still, most law enforcement agencies have dismissed it for lack of proof.
Police Push Back Against Rumors
Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz urged the public not to panic.
“Rumors cause fear and anxiety,” he said. “We have no evidence linking these deaths or proving a serial killer exists.”
Even so, fear continues to grow. Since that statement, investigators have recovered two more bodies.
At a September 23 press conference, Mayor John Whitmire admitted the pattern is “disturbing” but said there’s no sign of foul play. He noted that Houston has 4,000 kilometers of waterways and a large homeless population, many of whom battle drug addiction and mental illness.
Whitmire added that when homeless individuals die, their peers often don’t report it. Some may end up in the river instead of a morgue. He asked residents to stay calm while police continue their investigations.
Experts Demand Thorough Autopsies
Not everyone agrees with the city’s explanation. Joseph Giacalone, a former NYPD investigator and professor at Penn State Lehigh Valley, said dismissing the situation too soon is a mistake.
“Sixteen bodies — you can’t just assume they’re all homeless people who died by chance,” he said.
He urged police to perform complete autopsies and toxicology tests on every victim. He also said examiners should determine whether each person drowned or died before entering the water. Only then, he argued, can investigators know if the deaths are connected.
Many experts now want a case-by-case review of the drownings to spot trends that may have gone unnoticed.
The Investigation Continues
As of mid-October, the Houston Police Department has not released new details about the latest victim. Detectives continue to examine evidence, interview witnesses, and review missing-person cases.
So far, officials stand by their statement — no sign of a serial killer. Yet, the growing number of unexplained drownings has shaken Houston’s sense of safety. The truth, whatever it may be, still lies beneath the surface.
