The mayor of the US city of Houston has been forced to respond to claims that a serial killer is active in the city after 16 bodies have been pulled from the same bayous.
Earlier this week (8 October) police in Houston, Texas recovered a man's body from White Oak Bayou - a slow moving river which flows through the city. The grim discovery comes after six bodies were found in the Houston bayous in September, bringing the total to 16 across the entire year.
Police are yet to release a cause of death or make any connection between the recovered bodies, however this hasn't stopped locals in the city worrying that a serial killer could be active on their streets.
"Something is afoot," said Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and criminal justice professor, at Penn State-Lehigh Valley, said of the discoveries (via Fox News).
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"A coincidence? Unlikely. A careful inspection of each case is warranted, including the 48 hours prior to the discovery of their disappearance."
The growing concern has led to the city's mayor, John Whitmire, to step in and dismiss the claims as 'misinformation' and 'wild speculation' on social media.
Addressing concerns after the five bodies were found within just five days, Whitmire gave the following statement on 23 September: "We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas.
"So, I’m before you today to let you know that enough is enough of wild speculation. It’s very frustrating to me to be at home, watch the news, or social media, and see people spread what I know to be false."
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Whitmire went on to add that if there were concerns about the bodies being linked to foul play 'you would hear it from me first'.
He also reminded residents that Houston had 2,500 miles of waterway and that accidental deaths, particularly amongst the homeless population, weren't uncommon.
His comments were backed up by Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz, who had there was no evidence to suggest the cases were linked.
"There is no evidence, and I repeat no evidence, to suggest that any of these incidents are connected," Diaz said, adding that 'it's important to rely on verified information and investigations'.
What do we know about the bodies which have been recovered in Houston?
According to Fox Houston 26, the bodies recovered from the city's bayous are both male and female, aged anywhere between their 20s and 60s.
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One body has been identified as that of 20-year-old Jade McKissic, who was found on 15 September after being reported missing several days before.
Topics: US News
Brenna Cooper