The victim was found on September 25, becoming the sixth body pulled from a Houston bayou in 10 days.
HOUSTON — The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is asking for the public’s help to identify the body of a young Black woman pulled from Buffalo Bayou last Thursday around 11:30 p.m. They released a photo of her only tattoo, along with a detailed description, including what she was wearing.
- Tattoo: 888 on inner left wrist
- Height: 5’3
- Weight: 120 pounds
- Hair: Short, black style with a distinctive widow’s peak
- Eyes: Brown
- Wearing: Black short-sleeved t-shirt with the words “Black & Beautiful” on the front, size large; 1822 brand jeans, size 8; black Hanes underwear, size 8
- Jewelry: Small, white metal nose stud with clear stone
- Other: Light pink nail polish on nails and red nail polish on toenails
- Age: Under 30
Editor’s note: The above video originally aired on September 30.
A group of people riding scooters downtown spotted the victim near Commerce and Milam and called 911. The Houston Police Department dive team later recovered the body.
She was the sixth body found in a Houston bayou in 10 days, fueling rumors of a possible serial killer that the Houston police chief and mayor refute.
The Harris County medical examiner is working to determine her cause of death. We’re still waiting for the cause of death to be released for most of the other victims found since mid-September.
The first victim who was publicly identified was University of Houston student Jade “Sage” McKissick, who was reported missing earlier this month. Officials have determined there was no foul play in her death.
Timeline of recent discoveries
- Monday, Sept. 15: Two bodies were found. One was identified as UH student Jade “Sage” McKissick, 21, who was recovered from Brays Bayou. Police said there were no signs of foul play in her case. Rodney Riccardo Chatman, 43, was recovered from a canal near the East Freeway at Greens Bayou
- Tuesday, Sept. 16: Seth Joseph Hansen, 24, was found in White Oak Bayou near 2200 White Oak Drive after a witness spotted him. His cause of death is still pending.
- Thursday, Sept. 18: Witnesses reported seeing someone jump into Buffalo Bayou near Jensen Drive and Navigation Boulevard and never resurface. He was later identified as 63-year-old Arnulfo Alvarado. That case was ruled a drowning.
- Saturday, Sept 20: The body of 66-year-old Michael Andrea Rice was found in Buffalo Bayou at North York Street.
- Thursday, Sept 25: A woman’s body was pulled from the water near Commerce and Milam in downtown Houston.
So far in 2025, at least 13 bodies have been found in Houston waterways. Officials noted that 24 people were recovered last year.
Rumors vs. official response
The cluster of deaths has fueled online speculation about a possible serial killer. But both city leaders and criminal justice experts have rejected those claims.
Last week, Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Police Chief J. Noe Diaz Jr. addressed the concerns directly, urging people not to spread misinformation.
“There is no evidence that there is a serial killer loose on the streets of Houston,” Whitmire said at a news conference. “I do say enough is enough on speculation, out of respect for the families and also the 2.3 million Houstonians in our region. We have challenges — we’re meeting those challenges — but a serial killer loose in Houston is not one of our challenges today.”
HPD also said there’s no evidence the cases are linked, and there are many reasons people end up in the bayous, including accidents, homelessness or mental health crises.
Despite the efforts of city leaders to end the rampant rumors, some Houstonians expressed safety concerns at a Tuesday night community meeting hosted by City Councilmember Leticia Plummer.
“Can we enjoy being a student?” asked TSU student Erin Slaughter. “Can we enjoy being free, or do we have to watch around every corner?”
For Slaughter, there’s a lot of uncertainty, especially since one confirmed bayou death was a University of Houston student.
“We have a lot of mixed emotions on campus, or are we safe or what happened to Jade?” Slaughter asked.
Expert analysis
Criminal justice experts have also dismissed the serial killer theory.
“The short answer is no,” said Dr. Krista Gehring, a University of Houston-Downtown criminal justice professor. “I know it can be pretty alarming for people. It’s possible these are accidental deaths, or people, unfortunately, taking their own lives. There are a lot of alternative, less scary explanations for all of these bodies turning up.”
Gehring added that serial killers typically follow patterns, such as targeting a specific demographic, which is not the case here.
Even so, she doesn’t think cameras are a bad idea to help put minds at ease.
“The camera might actually capture where an individual falls into the bayou or has an accident or is intoxicated or whatever, because that’s likely what is happening,” Gehring told KHOU 11.
Both experts warned against fueling fear online. “There’s a real concern about perpetuating fear on social media or in the media — fear that may not be warranted,” Gehring said.
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