A troubling discovery inside a closed bank on Hillcroft near Westheimer has alarmed a southwest Houston neighborhood that says it has long urged the city to address ongoing issues in the area.
Neighbors reported finding a body yesterday morning inside the abandoned bank branch, which they say had become a magnet for squatters and drug activity. Homicide investigators spent hours processing the scene, while residents and local officials renewed concerns about the long-vacant property.
ABC13 reports that the building, a former Wells Fargo branch that closed in September 2023, had received at least 27 complaints through the city’s 311 system. Many cited stagnant water in the drive-thru, and several, dating back to February 2024, reported people living on the site. Neighbors told reporters they had seen clothing, trash, and overflowing shopping carts outside the bank, and said a recently installed fence did little to prevent people from entering. Friday’s discovery has added to the community’s frustration.
Neighbor Alexander Ghost said he was concerned the person found inside might be someone he knew. Homicide detectives remained at the scene for several hours. The city has an active case against the property for high weeds and stagnant water, and inspectors were scheduled to visit Monday but would require a warrant to enter. Neighbors also reported observing drug activity and weapons at the site over several months.
Owner Cited, City Keeps Up Pressure
Councilwoman Tiffany D. Thomas’ office and neighborhood managers have been monitoring the lot for months. According to the International Management District, the former Wells Fargo site has become a hub for illegal dumping, debris, and encampments and is under active investigation by HPD and the Department of Neighborhoods. City Council records indicate that Panjwani Properties has previously been involved in municipal proceedings, linking the location to a named property owner in city files. Officials did not provide comment through the contact information listed in those public records.
Squatting Complaints Mirror a Countywide Problem
The situation on Hillcroft reflects a broader trend in Harris County, where residents and neighborhood groups report that vacant commercial and residential buildings are increasingly occupied by squatters, raising safety concerns. Local officials and community members have called for clearer legal tools to remove unauthorized occupants and for faster enforcement in cases where property ownership is unclear or disputed.
What Happens Next
HPD and city inspectors will continue investigating the property while neighbors await both answers and action to secure the building. Residents say they plan to keep filing complaints through 311 and urging elected officials to take faster enforcement measures.
Legal Implications
Because the property is privately owned, the city generally requires legal authority to enter or perform abatement. Records and neighborhood newsletters indicate that the Department of Neighborhoods can issue citations for maintenance issues like high weeds and stagnant water, and pursue civil remedies if owners do not comply.
If investigators determine foul play was involved in the death, any criminal case would proceed separately, while code enforcement and civil actions would address whether the property owner took sufficient steps to secure the site.
Neighbors say their current priority is ensuring the lot is secured and that both the owner and the city are held accountable. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division or submit tips through the city’s 311 system.
