Tragedy struck Houston as a woman, believed to be in her 60s, was found dead Tuesday morning, with her remains in the clutches of an alligator. The grim discovery was made at 2700 Coastal Oak Drive around 8:40 a.m., Houston police reported. The identity and cause of death are still under wraps, pending autopsy results from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
According to the Houston Police Department (HPD), officers were conducting a search for a missing woman when they encountered the gruesome scene in Horsepen Bayou. HPD Homicide Division Sergeants R. Watson and, M. Burrow were part of the investigation team at the site just west of El Dorado Boulevard.
In a shocking turn, an HPD sergeant had to fatally shoot the alligator to stop further desecration of the body. The HPD Dive Team was then called to the bayou, a recovery operation ensued, and they retrieved both the remains and the alligator. The community is shaken by the incident, which adds a layer of urgency and caution to the residents near the normally placid Horsepen Bayou.
At this point, the autopsy will play a crucial role in determining how the woman died and whether the alligator attack was the cause or occurred post-mortem. Officials have not released any further details as the investigation, remains ongoing. Houston police are urging the public to step forward with any information that might shed light on this case, urging to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.
