Houston police recovered a man’s body from Buffalo Bayou on Dec. 24, the third body found in local waterways this week and the 34th in bayous so far this year. Authorities say the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will perform an autopsy to determine the victim’s identity and cause of death. Two other bodies were found on Dec. 22 in separate bayous; autopsies for those cases are underway. A Houston Chronicle investigation found more than 200 bodies in bayous since 2017, with drownings accounting for nearly 40% of fatalities.
Houston Recovers Third Body From Bayous This Week; 34 Found So Far in 2025
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via GettyBuffalo Bayou in Houston
Houston authorities recovered a man’s body from Buffalo Bayou on Dec. 24, marking the third recovery from the city’s waterways this week and the 34th body found in Houston-area bayous so far this year.
The Houston Police Department posted on X that officers, including the HPD Dive Team, responded after a pedestrian reported seeing the body. According to a City of Houston news release, the dive team removed the victim from the water. Officials said the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will conduct an autopsy to determine the victim’s identity and cause of death.
Recent Recoveries
The Dec. 24 recovery follows two other bodies found on the morning of Dec. 22 in separate waterways, local outlets reported. One of those bodies was also recovered from Buffalo Bayou and another was found near Brays Bayou. The Harris County medical examiner’s office is handling autopsies for those cases.
Community Reaction and Official Response
“It’s incredibly sad,” said nearby resident Jesse Bellow. He noted that while some residents fear a serial killer, the deaths may also reflect failures in social services for vulnerable people.
City officials have repeatedly denied that a serial killer is responsible. In September, Mayor John Whitmire said the city had no evidence indicating a serial killer was at large.
Context And Ongoing Investigation
A Dec. 10 investigative report by the Houston Chronicle found that more than 200 bodies have been recovered along the city’s bayous since 2017 and identified 2024 and 2025 as the deadliest years on record. That investigation reported that drownings account for nearly 40% of fatalities, while suicides, homicides and blunt-force injuries are present in more than 40% of cases. Authorities continue to await autopsy results and release additional details as they become available.
What officials are urging: Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to contact the Houston Police Department. Authorities continue to investigate and coordinate autopsies with the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
