HOUSTON – A body was recovered from Buffalo Bayou on Thursday morning, prompting an investigation by the Houston Police Department.
According to the Houston Fire Department, crews initially responded to a rescue call near Marcario Garcia Drive, but the situation was later changed to a recovery after a body was located along the south bank.
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This marks at least the fifth body found in Houston-area bayous since January 2026. The issue has been even larger in recent years, with 35 and 34 bodies recovered in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
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Detectives secured the scene near Buffalo Bend Nature Park, where the body was discovered by a cleanup crew working along the bayou from a boat.
Investigators say the person is believed to be a Black man between 40 and 50 years old with an average build. The identity has not been confirmed, and officials are working to notify family members.
Officials say there is no indication of any ongoing threat to the public. There are also no clear signs of foul play, HPD homicide detectives said.
“As of right now, we don’t know and we don’t believe so,” HPD Homicide Division Detective Mike Nicotra said when asked if the death appeared suspicious.
Authorities say the body was found floating in the bayou and may have been carried by recent high-water levels.
“It’s been raining a lot lately, so that can also raise the water level and move the body,” Nicotra added.
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The body is being transferred to the medical examiner’s office for further examination to determine the cause of death.
“We still have a lot of work ahead of us to do in the next few hours,” Nicotra said. “If anybody has concerns about a missing loved one who meets the description, please feel free to contact the Houston Police Department.”
Anyone with information about a missing person matching the description is urged to contact HPD’s homicide division at 713-308-3600.