THE discovery of more than 30 bodies in bayous around Houston has forced officials to speak out on fears a serial killer is terrorizing the city.

The remains of three people were pulled from the city’s waterways in the last week alone reigniting concerns a murderer is on the loose.

That brings the total number of bodies found in the swamps this year to at least 34, The Houston Chronicle reports.

And now, widespread social media speculation and local fears have forced Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare to address the grim finds.

Teare told KPRC: “There is nothing, nothing, and I want to be crystal clear, to indicate that there is someone operating here as a serial killer.”

“There are many reasons for these deaths. None of them are a serial killer.”

But that’s not stopped the speculation with tourist Juan Sandoval telling ABC13: “The math isn’t mathing, I think there’s a serial killer.”

His friend Erick Cortez added: “There must be someone out there, no? Because it’s ridiculous that so many people are dying in the bayou, I think it’s unfortunate that they haven’t found the person.”

But DA Teare insists: “It’s kind of a little-known fact, but when you get into the bayous, it is very difficult to get out.

“When you combine that with someone that is high on some substance, someone that is intoxicated somehow, it makes it even more difficult.”

He did concede “there are times where we recover bodies that were placed in the bayou criminally, no question”.

But added: “But that is not something that is a regular occurrence.”

Serial killer fears grip US city as FIVE bodies found in bayous over six-day period - cops forced to break silence

BODIES IN BAYOU

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One of those found dead was 20-year-old University of Houston student Jade McKissic who disappeared on September 11 this year.

Her body was uncovered in the Brays Bayou, which flows through the Houston area, on September 15.

No trauma was detected but her cause of death was ruled “undetermined”. That accounts for roughly 40% of the cause of deaths in the area, according to the New York Post.

The same day that McKissic was found, another body was discovered in nearby waters, according to Houston Public Media.

This is not the first time officials have been forced to deny reports of a serial killer stalking the city.

In September they addressed widespread rumors of a murder spree, telling locals the rumors were simply not true.

That came after experts insisted there’s “something afoot” and said that the discoveries so close together are unlikely to be a mere coincidence.

“Something is afoot,” Joseph Giacalone, a retired New York Police Department sergeant and criminal justice professor, told Fox News.

“A coincidence? Unlikely. A careful inspection of each case is warranted, including the 48 hours prior to the discovery of their disappearance.”

“We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said at a news briefing on September 23.

“Let me say that again, there is no evidence that there is a serial killer loose in the streets of Houston.”

He went on to slam misinformation and “wild speculation” surrounding the cases.

Whitmire said the number of deaths is “alarming,” but asked the community to have patience with police as they investigate.

The mayor also blamed the bodies in the water on homelessness, alcohol use, and mental health issues.

“I grew up in Houston,” the mayor said. “Unfortunately, drowning in our bayous is not a new phenomenon.”

There are 2,500 miles of waterways around the city.

Last year, 24 bodies were pulled from Houston’s bayous.