Body recovered from west Houston home with 4 ft. of water

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston police dive team recovered a body from a west Houston house that still had about four feet of water in it, Houston Police Chief Acevedo announced Friday.

The home is owned by Robert A. Haines, 71. His son tells Eyewitness News he had not heard from him since late Sunday, Aug. 27, and believes he is the latest flood victim.

"He said the water was rising. It was a few inches from my door. Then, 20 minutes later, he said there are a few feet of water in my house," said Kirby Haines.

Further attempts to reach his father by phone were unsuccessful, and the widespread flooding in the neighborhoods around the 700 block of Langwood hampered any welfare checks. Friday, after two previous attempts, HPD's dive team returned and recovered Haines' body.

"I'm still a little numb, trying to protect myself from the pain of him floating in the water, not being able to get out of the house. I don't think it's hit me yet," Haines said.

Haines was an Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War and later retired from a career in finance. He had been diagnosed with mild dementia and was supposed to have a caregiver with him, according to his son.

"My dad died alone," Haines added.

He had lived in the house for 12 years and often worried about possible issues with nearby Addicks Dam.

An autopsy will determine how Haines died.

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