Houston, Texas, a city known for its sprawling bayous and vibrant urban life, has found itself at the center of a chilling debate. Over the course of just six days in September 2025, five bodies were discovered in the city’s waterways, including the Brays, White Oak, and Buffalo bayous. These grim findings have reignited long-standing fears among residents that a serial killer might be stalking the city’s shadows, dumping victims in the murky waters that wind through Houston’s neighborhoods.
The anxiety reached a fever pitch after the body of Jade McKissic, a 20-year-old University of Houston student, was found on September 15 in Brays Bayou. McKissic had gone missing on September 11. Her case, in particular, struck a nerve: a young life cut short, and the circumstances surrounding her death—no signs of trauma, no immediate evidence of foul play—left more questions than answers. The cause of death, authorities confirmed, remains under investigation.
On the very same day McKissic was found, another body surfaced in nearby waters. Then, on September 16, a third body was discovered along the White Oak Bayou, north of downtown. Two days later, on September 18, police responded to a report of someone seen jumping into the water; yet another body was pulled from the bayou. The grim tally continued on September 20, when a fifth body was found floating down Buffalo Bayou, east of downtown Houston. With the exception of McKissic, none of the victims from this week-long span had been identified at the time of reporting.
It’s little wonder, then, that speculation has run rampant. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Instagram, have been ablaze with theories. One account, Daily Rumble, claimed that sources within the Houston Police Department suspected a serial killer was at large. The rumor snowballed, echoing through online true crime communities and local discussion boards. Some residents, recalling the so-called “Rainey Street Ripper” rumors from Austin, Texas, began to draw parallels, suggesting Houston had its own version of the urban legend lurking in plain sight.
But city officials have pushed back—hard. In a press conference held on September 23, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, flanked by Police Chief J. Noe Diaz, addressed the mounting hysteria head-on. With visible frustration, Whitmire declared, “Let me state enough is enough of misinformation while speculation by either social media, elected officials, candidates, the media. We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas. Let me say that again. There is no evidence that there is a serial killer loose on the streets of Houston. If there was, you would hear it from me first.”
Whitmire and Diaz emphasized that many of the deceased were homeless individuals, and that it was not uncommon for friends or acquaintances to dispose of bodies in the bayous after a death. They called on influencers and online personalities, like those behind Daily Rumble, to stop spreading what they characterized as “false claims.” Houston Public Media went so far as to accuse the influencer of “falsely” making the assertion that police suspected a serial killer.
Despite the firm denials from city leaders and law enforcement, skepticism persists among Houston’s residents. Some locals, commenting on news articles and social media threads, voiced their distrust of the official narrative. “I don’t see any ‘EVIDENCE’ that there’s NOT a serial killer in Houston, either!!” wrote one commenter. Another demanded, “We need patrols and more police button stations – We need help before the dive team goes out…You can’t say NO FOUL PLAY before the Autopsy…makes no sense.” Still others accused the mayor of attempting to downplay the situation to avoid public panic, with one particularly pointed remark: “Mayor doesn’t want the population to realize that a Serial Killer on the loose, so he’s on TV and trying to shut it down. Because, all of us, Peoples, know we’ve got a Hot and Spicy Dexter in Houston.”
Public records, cited by both Fox 26 Houston and the Houston Chronicle, confirm that a total of 13 bodies have been found in Houston’s bayous in 2025. While five of these discoveries occurred within a single week, the remaining deaths were spread out over the course of the year. Local residents have expressed disbelief that so many drownings could be mere coincidence, especially in light of the city’s history and the persistent rumors of foul play.
Yet, according to law enforcement, each case has been thoroughly investigated, and no links have been found that would suggest a serial killer is responsible. The Houston Police Department reiterated this stance, stating that the social media post fueling much of the speculation was “entirely fabricated.”
Experts in criminology and forensic science have also weighed in. Kim Rossmo, a professor at Texas State University and a noted expert on criminal behavior, told the Houston Chronicle that serial killings involving drowning are exceedingly rare. “If you think about it, it’s really hard to kill somebody by drowning,” Rossmo explained. “There’s a lot of steps involved and a lot of chances for people to escape, and so it’s just not the preferred method.” Most serial killers, according to Rossmo, favor methods such as stabbing or strangulation, which are both more controllable and less risky for the perpetrator.
While the debate rages on, the facts remain stark: five bodies in six days, thirteen in total for the year. Only one victim, Jade McKissic, has been publicly identified. In her case, no signs of trauma were found, and investigators have not ruled her death a homicide. For the other victims, the causes of death remain under investigation, but authorities have repeatedly stressed that there is no evidence of foul play or a pattern linking the cases.
Still, the city’s bayous—once seen as scenic backdrops to Houston’s urban sprawl—now carry a sinister undertone for many. The tension between official reassurances and public suspicion has become a defining feature of the current moment. As one resident put it, “13 bodies!!! Houston we gotta a problem.”
Experts and officials alike urge calm, reminding residents to rely on verified information rather than rumors. “Heed official information and calm your fears,” experts advised, hoping to stem the tide of panic that has swept through online communities.
For now, Houston’s leaders remain adamant: there is no serial killer stalking the bayous. But with each new discovery, the uneasy question lingers—will the facts ever be enough to quiet the city’s restless imagination?
