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People in Texas are worried that there is a serial killer running rife now that the total body count has been revealed of those who have died in lakes across the region.
Suspicions have come about after continuous reports of bodies in Texas being pulled from the Bayous in Houston and other areas. One of the largest cases came when a person was reported as missing on Sunday (June 1) and was later found by a paddle boarder in Lady Bird Lake, Austin, on Tuesday (June 3).
At the time, it was believed that this was the 19th person to be found dead in the water in three years.
People began to suspect there was a person behind all of it, namely, the 'Rainey Street Ripper'. The name came about due to Lady Bird Lake being so close to Rainey Street, a nightlife hub with popular bars in downtown Austin.
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A petition of more than 5,000 signatures last July begged police to consider the deaths are part of a wider issue.
It was titled, 'Austin Police Department – Acknowledge That The Austin Drownings May Not Be Accidents', according to My San Antonio.
However, police have been adamant that there is no such killer lurking around the city.
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Well, the speculation has begun again now that officials have confirmed that the number of bodies found in Houston's bayous is more than what was previously believed.
Five people were pulled from the water within the last week, and while police initially estimated 14 people had died in different bodies of water in the town this year, it’s more than that, according to local reports.
In fact, a medical examiner told KPRC-TV that the real figure is 22.
Despite this, the Houston Police Department has said there is no evidence of a serial killer being responsible. But council member Letitia Plummer has still warned citizens to be vigilant around water.
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She said: “Residents need to remain cautious. Our young people need to understand that if you're walking around in the bayous past dusk, you're putting yourself in jeopardy.”
“It is time to be very cautious and careful during this time,” Plummer added.
As for the 22 people, only six have had their official cause of death determined, while the rest are pending or listed as undetermined.
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“This community wants answers, and we will deliver them,” Plummer said. “We don’t want assumptions. We don’t want rumors. Families deserve the truth.”
For the body that was found in June, authorities say the teen was kayaking with his family when he fell in and did not resurface, as per Fox 7 Austin.
Corporal Jose Mendez of the Austin Police Department told the outlet: "Another paddleboarder was here out on Lady Bird Lake and notified us that it appeared that an individual was deceased and floating on Lady Bird Lake."
Because of the close proximity to nightlife and the dangers of walking past the lake while drunk, new fencing and lighting around the lake has been erected as part of $800,000 upgrades to protect those living in the city.
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Officials are also considering stationing paramedics at the end of Rainey Street to help those who are drunk.
UNILAD contacted Austin Police Department for further comment.
Britt Jones