According to the Houston Chronicle, three bodies were found in two Texas bays last Monday, December 22, bringing the total number of bodies recovered from these waters to at least 34.
The two bodies were discovered around 9:30 a.m. local time in the Buffalo Bayou and Brays Bayou areas.
Suspicions and rumors spread further after seven bodies were found between September and October, in a period of less than a month.
One of the citizens, Juan Sandoval, previously told ABC13 that the numbers cannot be a coincidence, stating that he believes it is a serial killer.
A similar opinion was shared by Houston resident Erick Cortez, who thinks it is unusual for so many people to die in wetlands.
However, police authorities reject such claims. Houston Police Chief Noah Diaz said at a news conference in September that the spread of rumors is creating unnecessary fear and additional anxiety among the public.
Experts also point out that similar data are not uncommon. Last year, 35 bodies were recovered from the same wetlands, which, according to them, shows that this is not a sudden increase in cases.
University of Houston criminal justice professor Krista Gehring explains that people often, influenced by television series, assume that bodies were left in the water on purpose to remove traces.
However, as he states, in many cases it is about accidents, suicides or people under the influence of alcohol.
Retired Houston Police Capt. Greg Fremin said the city is generally relatively safe, but stressed the importance of being cautious and aware of your surroundings, as in any large urban center.
According to experts, the most common cause of death for bodies found in swamps was drowning. National Drowning Prevention Alliance Executive Director Alissa Magrum said that because of the pool closures, people were staying in natural waters more often.
Since 2017, at least 17 deaths have been linked to alcohol or drug use, 11 to heart problems, and seven to traffic accidents. However, the cause of death for as many as 68 people has still not been determined since the beginning of December.
(Vijesti.ba)
