Five bodies were found in Houston bayous in one week, including 20-year-old University of Houston student Jade McKissick in Brays Bayou. Experts say there is no evidence of a serial killer. Dr. Krista Gehring, a criminal justice professor at the University of Houston-Downtown, said, "The short answer is no." Former Houston police officer Tom Nixon noted the causes of death were different for each case, as reported by KHOU.
Dr. Gehring said "Absolutely not," when asked if a serial killer could be responsible. She noted that most deaths show no signs of homicide, like stab wounds or strangulation, and are likely accidental or self-inflicted, according to Chron. Gehring also mentioned that interest in crime shows and podcasts may contribute to people assuming a serial killer is involved.
The Houston Police Department is investigating each case and has not released final autopsy reports. Bodies in Houston bayous are sometimes found during heavy rain or among vulnerable populations. A police spokesperson told Chron, "It's all determined by the cause of death, which is released by the Medical Examiner after an autopsy. It's unfortunate, but each death is different." Authorities advise people to be careful around the bayous.
