Data from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences reveals that 22 bodies have been recovered from Houston’s bayous this year.
The list excludes cases involving vehicles and focuses on bodies found in the water. Out of the 22 cases, only six have confirmed causes of death, while the majority remain pending or undetermined.
The records indicate that 19 of the deceased were men, and three were women. Most of them were aged between 29 and 55 years. Twenty-one bodies were found in Houston’s waterways, with one body recovered in Channelview.
Amid community concerns, Houston leaders, including Council Members Letitia Plummer and Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, addressed rumors of a potential serial killer at a press conference this week. Both officials stated that there is no evidence supporting such claims.
“This community wants answers, and we will deliver them,” Plummer said, emphasizing the need to avoid assumptions and rumors. “Families deserve the truth.”
Dr. Evans-Shabazz discussed the case of a University of Houston student, stating that investigations revealed evidence suggesting the student walked into the bayou without foul play involvement.
Plummer urged that the city would refrain from further comments until reports are finalized, out of respect for the family involved.
City officials are advising residents to exercise caution around Houston’s extensive 2,500 miles of waterways. They warn that bayous, despite appearing calm, can have strong undercurrents, debris, and hidden hazards, making them dangerous.
Here is a list of the identified individuals, their discovery dates, and known causes of death, as compiled by KPRC 2:
– Douglas Swearingen, aged 44, was found on January 11, 2025. The cause of death was drowning combined with acute methamphetamine toxicity.
– Carl Newton, aged 24, was found on February 14, 2025. His death was attributed to sudden cardiac death caused by hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with hypothermia and the KCNQ1 variant as additional factors.
– Rodolfo Salas Sosa, aged 56, was found on March 22, 2025. The cause of death was drowning with blunt force trauma involved.
– Anthony Azua, aged 33, was found on March 30, 2025. His cause of death remains pending.
– Juan Garcia Loredo, aged 69, was found on March 31, 2025. The cause of death is still pending.
– Kenneth Jones, aged 34, was found on May 7, 2025. His cause of death is undetermined.
– George Grays, aged 54, was found on May 9, 2025. The cause of death is pending.
– Culcois Racius, aged 39, was also found on May 9, 2025, with a pending cause of death.
– Anthony Curry, aged 35, was found on May 17, 2025. He drowned, with acute toxic effects of PCP and ethanol contributing to the death.
– Shannon Davis, aged 14, was found on May 30, 2025, with drowning recorded as the cause of death.
– Ernest Armstrong, aged 62, was found on June 9, 2025. The cause of death is undetermined.
– Brent Brown, aged 28, was found on June 12, 2025, with an undetermined cause of death.
– Raymond Hatten, aged 30, was found on July 7, 2025. The cause of death is pending.
– Latrecia Amos, aged 57, was found on August 21, 2025. The cause of death is pending.
– Jamal Alexander, aged 31, was found on August 27, 2025, with a pending cause of death.
– Jade McKissic, aged 20, was found on September 15, 2025. The cause of death is pending.
– Rodney Chatman, aged 43, was also found on September 15, 2025, with a pending cause of death.
– An unidentified individual, aged 55, was found on September 16, 2025, with the cause of death pending.
– Another unidentified individual, aged 41, was found on September 18, 2025. The cause of death is pending.
– Michael Rice, aged 47, was found on September 20, 2025, with a pending cause of death.
– Another unidentified individual was found on September 25, 2025, with the cause of death still pending.