In 2025, there have been a total of 22 bodies found in multiple bayous all across Houston. These bayous include White Oak Bayou, Brays Bayou, Buffalo Bayou, and Greens Bayou. That being said, there doesn’t seem to be a clear correlation between the causes of deaths amongst the victims. Although many of these cases have been the result of people drowning in the bayous, a few victims stand out due to their cause of death and how little we know about them.

One body had been found in White Oak Bayou that was determined by forensic scientists to have been caused by a cardiovascular disease. The body was later identified as 24-year-old Carl Newton. Another body, found in Buffalo Bayou, had been recovered with a noticeable gunshot wound. Forensics said that the gunshot was likely from suicide. The body was later identified as a woman named Michaela Miller.

However, due to the increase in bodies found in the past few months, residents of Houston have begun to speculate the possibility of a serial killer being the leading cause of the sudden rise in deaths. Seeing as though there have been three confirmed homicides, it isn’t entirely unlikely. Nevertheless, authorities have already ruled out the probability of a serial killer in Houston.

Regardless of whether or not you believe in these theories, there are undeniably many people being found in these bayous. Residents of Houston have come up with their own ideas of how we can prevent these tragic deaths and make the bayous safer. People have suggested installing cameras and building a barrier or fence around the bayous to keep people from accidentally falling, drowning, or potentially being killed. City officials have taken these precautions into consideration but are still unsure about whether or not they should be implemented.