Social media speculation of serial killer unlikely after 4 bodies found in Houston's bayous: Experts

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Does Houston have a serial killer on the loose? The question has swirled around various Houston social media circles after four bodies were recovered from Houston's bayous just this week.

The short answer, according to University of Houston Downtown Criminal Justice Professor Krista Gehring, is "No."

"I don't think the average person should be concerned that they're going to be victimized and wind up in the bayou," she said, though Dr. Gehring can certainly understand people's concern.

The first body found in a Houston area bayou this week was on Monday morning, when a man's body was recovered from Green's Bayou. Hours later, a woman's body was found in Brays Bayou.

On Tuesday, a third body was recovered from White Oak Bayou. Then, a fourth body was found in Buffalo Bayou near downtown on Thursday.

"I haven't heard any of this, so I would think if there was a serial killer, it would be on my radar," Dr. Gehring said. "Plus, if the victims are not similar when it comes to demographics, if there is not a signature when it comes to the method that the person is killed."

Dr. Gehring points to several factors that would indicate these bodies are not related to each other. First, they were found in four different bayous. The second clue is that we know the deceased involved both men and women. Gehring says most serial killers focus on one sex, and the deaths would have clear similarities.

However, in these cases, the causes of death have not been determined. In addition, the Brays Bayou body has been identified as a University of Houston student, and investigators say her death, while tragic, is not suspicious, and no foul play is expected.

Gehring says the popularity of true crime shows across television has sometimes fueled social media speculation whenever police recover a body.

"Because a lot of times we'll say, Oh they're dumping the bodies into the bayous to get rid of evidence because that's what we see in 'those shows,' that the water will wash away the evidence. It could have just been an accident. People could have done it to themselves, people could have been intoxicated."

Retired Houston Police Captain Greg Fremin, who turned college professor agrees. He says in his many years patrolling the area surrounding Buffalo Bayou, he has seen a number of bodies recovered. The most common causes of death are accidental or natural.

"Unfortunately, some of these might just be natural occurrences where they just died and fell in the bayou," he said. "Or they could have been placed there by other homeless people, where they didn't want police to come into their encampment, disturbing their residency."

Dr. Fremin says he understands that people are anxious, but says if there is really something to worry about, the Houston Police Department will make residents aware.

"I tell the citizens of Houston we have a relatively safe city for the most part. But it's a big city, there is crime, you have to be vigilant, have situational awareness, but this is not anything to be concerned about or that we have a rabid serial killer on the loose in the downtown area. Nothing has indicated that to me in my professional opinion," Dr. Fremin said.

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