Body Found in Buffalo Bayou Is Missing Kenneth Cutting Jr., Parents Now Search for Answers

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Grieving parents are asking for the public’s help as they search for answers after the body of their 22-year-old son was found in Buffalo Bayou on Monday.

The body of Kenneth Cutting Jr. was found in the bayou near Swiney Street in the Fifth Ward.

According to his parents, Kenneth Cutting Sr. and Tiffanie Bruno, Cutting Jr. went to Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar Friday night with his two roommates. The men reportedly left the bar around midnight.

Around 2 a.m., Cutting Sr. received a text from one of his son’s roommates. He said Cutting Jr. had been drinking too much and was “crazy.” He said Cutting Jr. began fighting verbally and physically, eventually jumping out of their car on I-10 East near Waco Street.

Cutting Jr. allegedly fled the car toward oncoming traffic on I-10. The message said he had left his phone and wallet in the car. On Saturday morning, the family visited Cutting Jr.’s roommates and filed a missing person report. His body was found three days later.

“My son did not jump into the bayou,” Bruno said.

Cutting Sr. said his son was wearing only pants, underwear, a belt and a single earring when his body was found. His shoes, shirt, the other earring and his Apple Watch were missing.

Houston police closed the case of Cutting Jr.’s disappearance when his body was found. They are not currently investigating the case. However, a public information officer told ABC13 they would assign an investigator if autopsy results show signs of foul play.

“I want to know exactly what happened to my son,” Cutting Sr. said.

Bruno described his son, who was just 1.60 metres tall and weighed 54 kilos, as having a “beautiful mind”.

“It was really fun to be around him. He’s very loving. He’s got a heart of gold. He’s beautiful,” she said. “He didn’t deserve this.”

For more updates on this story, follow Shannon Ryan on Facebook, X and Instagram.