Houston \u2013 Since 2017, more than 200 people have been found across Houston\u2019s 2,500 miles of bayous. Social media is full of questions: How did these people die? Was someone responsible? And if there is a killer, what are police doing to stop them?<\/p>\n
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare says there is no serial killer dumping victims into the bayou<\/a>. But every time a body is found in Houston\u2019s waterways, some people believe otherwise.<\/p>\n KPRC 2 spent two months speaking with a victim\u2019s family, Harris County\u2019s top prosecutor, and others for a 30-minute special, \u201cBodies in the Bayou.\u201d<\/p>\n Lauren Freeman, cousin of Kenneth Cutting Jr., expressed frustration with the investigation. <\/p>\n Houston\u2019s waterways have been the site of more than 200 bodies found since 2017, sparking public concern and speculation about a possible serial killer. The documentary “Bodies in the Bayou” explores these mysterious deaths, the challenges families face seeking answers, and the efforts of Harris County officials to address the issue. (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n For 19 months, she has searched for answers about what happened to her cousin. His body was found in a bayou east of downtown Houston in June 2024<\/a>. Houston police investigated but later closed the case.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty close ended if you know what I mean,\u201d Freeman said. \u201cIt\u2019s like, if you bring evidence, okay, what do you want us to bring? What exactly do you need to reopen his case?\u201d<\/p>\n Kenneth Cutting Jr. is among 40% of people found in Houston bayous since 2017<\/a> whose deaths were ruled undetermined by the Harris County Medical Examiner. That statistic has fueled public speculation about a serial killer.<\/p>\n Houston\u2019s waterways have been the site of more than 200 bodies found since 2017, sparking public concern and speculation about a possible serial killer. The documentary “Bodies in the Bayou” explores these mysterious deaths, the challenges families face seeking answers, and the efforts of Harris County officials to address the issue. (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n Andy Kahan, director of victim services and advocacy at Crime Stoppers of Houston<\/a>, said, \u201cNot only is the public obsessed that this potentially could be a serial killer, from my perspective, it almost appears like they want there to be a serial killer.\u201d<\/p>\n Experts also examined the bayous themselves and whether they pose dangers.<\/p>\n Dr. Phil Bedient, chair and professor of environmental sciences and engineering at Rice University<\/a>, said, \u201cThe bottom is very, very slippery, and you slip on that muck down there. There\u2019s a chance, yeah, you could drown.\u201d<\/p>\n Houston\u2019s waterways have been the site of more than 200 bodies found since 2017, sparking public concern and speculation about a possible serial killer. The documentary “Bodies in the Bayou” explores these mysterious deaths, the challenges families face seeking answers, and the efforts of Harris County officials to address the issue. (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n District Attorney Sean Teare emphasized the bayous are part of Houston\u2019s identity. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re the Bayou City. It is part of who we are. It\u2019s not something to be feared. None of them are something to be feared. They\u2019re something to be respected.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, families like Kenneth\u2019s want answers, justice, and peace.<\/p>\n Freeman said, \u201cMaybe somebody else\u2019s family member that\u2019s going through the same thing will see this. And they will get the courage to come forward and say, no more, just like I am. And they\u2019ll talk.\u201d<\/p>\n Grizzy, from Grizzy\u2019s Hood News<\/a> and a dedicated community advocate, is raising awareness about the people found in Houston bayous. She follows local news closely and says she is approached daily by residents asking about a possible serial killer in the city. Grizzy also hears from family members desperate for answers about unsolved bayou deaths.<\/p>\n We heard you. We are getting answers.<\/p>\n \u201cBodies in the Bayou\u201d airs Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. on KPRC-TV, KPRC Plus<\/a> and on KPRC\u2019s YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n Contact KPRC 2 News about Houston bayou deaths<\/p>\n KPRC 2 News is digging into the unsolved deaths in the Houston bayous. Fill out this short form<\/a> to send us your comments and contact information.<\/p>\n You can also contact Producer\/photojournalist Beth Peak at BPeak@kprc.com<\/a> or Producer Andrea Slaydon at ASlaydon@kprc.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n We are hoping to share your stories and find answers for families and the community. <\/p>\n Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Houston \u2013 Since 2017, more than 200 people have been found across Houston\u2019s 2,500 miles of bayous. 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