The family of Kenneth Cutting Jr., who died in Buffalo Bayou, is challenging the police’s theory that his death was an accident. They argue that the circumstances are suspicious and his swimming abilities make the accident explanation unlikely. Experts say the autopsy report is inconclusive, and more investigation is necessary before a definitive answer can be determined.
The circumstances surrounding Cutting’s death have raised new questions about the safety of Houston’s waterways. The city has reported 16 bodies in the bayous this year, including five in a single week. While officials have dismissed speculation about a serial killer, his family and others are calling for more transparent and thorough investigations. They believe the current approach may be downplaying the seriousness of the issue.
Cutting was last seen alive on June 28, 2024, and his roommates reported he had gone ‘crazy’ and demanded to be let out on a highway before his body was discovered in the bayou. His family and legal representatives say the case is being handled inadequately, and they hope for more forensic analysis and public scrutiny of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have been under pressure to address the growing number of unexplained deaths in Houston’s waterways. Officials have dismissed fears of a serial killer, attributing the deaths to homelessness and substance abuse. However, the family of Cutting and others have criticized the city’s response as insufficient, urging more serious attention to the investigation.
The case has also drawn attention from law enforcement experts who are skeptical about the official conclusions. Retired NYPD detective Kevin Gannon noted that Cutting’s death does not match the pattern of the so-called ‘Smiley Face Killers’ theory, but the circumstances still seem suspicious. He emphasized that police should treat the case like a homicide until proven otherwise, until the evidence is clear.
As the investigation continues, the family of Kenneth Cutting Jr. remains hopeful for answers and is pushing for a more thorough examination of the events leading to his death. They believe that the city’s handling of the case and the broader issue of waterway deaths is lacking and that more resources and attention are needed to ensure justice is served.