‘This is bigger than Kenneth’: Family pushes for answers as dozens of Houston bayou deaths remain unexplained
With nearly 40% of these cases labeled as 'undetermined,' loved ones like the family of a 22-year-old found in Buffalo Bayou are seeking answers and closure.
New data about bodies being found in Houston’s bayous are raising more questions.
Since 2017, 189 people have been found dead in the city’s bayous, according to records obtained by KPRC 2 News.
Nearly 40% of those deaths remain listed as “undetermined,” meaning investigators could not confirm whether those cases were accidents, suicides, or homicides.
One of those families still waiting for answers is that of 22-year-old Kenneth Cutting, who was found in Buffalo Bayou nearly a year and a half ago.
His cousin, Lauren Freeman, says Kenneth’s disappearance and death never made sense.
“This is not somewhere Kenneth had ever been in his life,” Freeman said. “This is bigger than Kenneth. It’s more than just him.”
Freeman says Kenneth was last seen at Pete’s Piano Bar in downtown Houston. 
She shared a video from that night showing Kenneth with friends.
Hours later, the family received a text saying Kenneth “went crazy” and got out of a car near I-10 and Waco.
His body was found about a mile away.
KPRC 2’s review of public data shows that at least 75 bayou deaths in the last eight years have been ruled undetermined by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Families say that uncertainty leaves them without closure and raises questions about whether foul play could be being overlooked.
KPRC 2 News has reached out to the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office regarding Kenneth’s case and the high number of undetermined deaths.
Medical examiners admitted there was a clerical error in Kenneth’s autopsy report, but said the error had no impact on the findings or the cause and manner of his death.
“This was a clerical error that had no impact on the findings or the cause and manner of death. The error occurred during the report editing process, after the postmortem exam was already completed. The pathological findings and conclusions in the report are correct and supported by the forensic pathologist’s notes, x-rays, and over 50 photographs taken during autopsy. The forensic pathologist communicated the error to the family in an effort to maintain transparency,” the statement read.
Freeman said other discrepancies included Kenneth’s height and weight, and the wrong spelling of the street where his body was found. Kenneth was found on Swiney Street, but the autopsy said Sweeney Street.
“What other mistake has been made?” said Freeman.
Freeman is calling on the police to do a thorough investigation into her cousin’s case.
Freeman remembers Cutting as a 22-year-old man who loved art and was full of life.
Officials say they review every case carefully and will re-examine files when new evidence surfaces.
