On Monday, authorities refuted suggestions that a serial killer is responsible for the recent discovery of multiple bodies in Texas bayous.

According to KTRK, three bodies were retrieved from bayous in the Houston area over the past week. In September, a total of five bodies were found in these waterways in a span of less than a week, prompting fears of a potential serial killer.

Among the five individuals discovered in September was Jade McKissic, a 20-year-old student from the University of Houston. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has categorized the deaths of McKissic, Rodney Chatman, Seth Hansen, and Michael Rice as undetermined.

Back in September, officials dismissed the idea that these deaths were linked to a serial killer, assuring the public that there was no evidence suggesting foul play in any of the cases.

As reported by the Houston Chronicle, the discovery of a body at Buffalo Bayou Park has increased this year’s total to 34, closely following last year’s count of 35 bodies recovered from local waterways.

Officials addressed the serial killer speculation again this week, reiterating there is no evidence of a single culprit in these cases.

“There is nothing, nothing, and I want to be crystal clear, to indicate that there is someone operating here as a serial killer,” Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare told KPRC. “There are many reasons for these deaths. None of them are a serial killer.”

Teare went on to attribute many of these deaths to the city’s issues with substance abuse, mental health, and homelessness. He said it is not a “regular occurrence” that are people found dead in the bayou due to criminal action.

“It’s kind of a little known fact, but when you get into the bayous, it is very difficult to get out,” he told KPRC. “When you combine that with someone that is high on some substance, someone that is intoxicated somehow, it makes it even more difficult.”

[Feature Photo: Houston police]