Everything we know about the 16 bodies found in US state as police address serial killer fears
Lucy Devine
Featured Image Credit: Fox 26
Concern is growing in the city of Houston, Texas, after a 16th body was discovered last week.
The body of a man was recovered in White Oak Bayou last Wednesday (8 October) after reports of a suspected drowning.
Although detectives have initially said that foul play is not suspected, the body is the 16th to be pulled from the city's collection of bayous this year, which has led many to wonder if there could be something sinister at play.
Here, we delve into everything we know so far about the string of deaths.
The first of 16 bodies to be found was identified as Douglas Swearingen, whose body was recovered from White Oak on 11 January. A coroner later determined that, whilst he'd drowned, acute methamphetamine toxicity had contributed to his death.
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The body of university student Jade McKissic, 20, was identified back in September, closely followed by 34-year-old Seth Hansen, 63-year-old Arnulfo Alvarado and Michaela Miller, according to The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
There are a number of bodies discovered that have not yet been identified, meanwhile many causes of death are still pending.
However, according to Fox Houston 26, the bodies are both male and female, aged anywhere between their 20s and 60s.
The Houston Chronicle has reported that 22 bodies have been found in bayous throughout Harris County this year.
The publication shared the following list of those who have been identified:
Following concerns from locals, the city's mayor John Whitmire was forced to deny the possibility that the alleged drownings were the work of a possibly dangerous individual.
"Enough of misinformation [and] wild speculation by either social media, elected officials, candidates, the media," Whitmire declared in a press conference back in September, following the recovery of McKissic's body.
"We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas."
Houston's Police Chief, Noe Diaz agreed with the mayor, adding: "There is no evidence, and I repeat no evidence, to suggest that any of these incidents are connected."
However, some experts are pressing for concerns to be taken more seriously.
Retired NYPD sergeant and criminal justice professor Joseph Giacalone told Fox News following the recent unnerving find: "Something is afoot. A coincidence? Unlikely.
"A careful inspection of each case is warranted, including the 48 hours prior to the discovery of their disappearance."
Last year, 24 bodies were recovered from bayous in Harris County.