A lacking Black man was discovered lifeless two weeks after he was final seen stumbling out of a Houston bar after an evening out with buddies.
Authorities confirmed {that a} physique found floating within the Houston Ship Channel Friday was 26-year-old Delano Burkes, based on KHOU 11.
Tugboat staff have been the primary to identify Burkes’ physique, the outlet reported.
Burkes went lacking on November 13 whereas barhopping with buddies within the Heights neighborhood, the place surveillance video exhibits him leaving McIntyre’s bar by West nineteenth Street.
Delano Burkes’ physique was discovered Friday within the Houston Ship Channel, officers confirmed, about 12.5 miles away from the place he was final seen alive: https://t.co/ubrFzV2bes pic.twitter.com/yJa7jbTBoQ
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) November 29, 2022
Missing Man’s Family Believes “Something Sinister” Happened To Him Upon Discovery Of His Body
He had reportedly been escorted from the bar, and was final seen stumbling throughout the road. Burkes’ household mentioned he seemed to be in ache.
Other footage confirmed him wandering across the block shortly after 1 a.m.
Burkes’ mom, Karen Jeffrey, mentioned the household believes “something sinister” occurred to him.
“We believe it’s something sinister that happened with him. He did not look like he had control of his legs. It did not look like he was going to make it very far,” Burkes’ mom, Karen Jeffrey, mentioned throughout a press convention final week, KTRK reported.
BREAKING: Body discovered Friday in water close to Port of Houston is Delano Burkes, based on Harris County Medical Examiner. He’s been lacking since Nov thirteenth after leaving a bar within the Heights. @houstonpolice murder unit now main the investigation @KHOU pic.twitter.com/HqIqpAIZfV
— Grace White (@GraceWhiteKHOU) November 28, 2022
Family Believes Delano Burkes Was Drugged At Houston Bar Before Disappearance, Death
His household added that it appeared Burkes had been drugged. While investigators mentioned there’s presently no proof to counsel he had been drugged, they mentioned they haven’t dominated it out as of but.
Meanwhile, an post-mortem can be carried out on Burkes to find out his precise explanation for dying.
His mom went on to say that Burkes’ buddies obtained in his automotive and headed residence with out him after he left the bar on his personal.
Family had been handing out fliers together with his image within the neighborhood the place he was final seen in an effort to find him previous to Friday’s grisly discovery.
Authorities are providing a $5,000 reward by means of Crime Stoppers for any data that would result in Burkes disappearance and dying.
BLACK AND MISSING: DELANO BURKES pic.twitter.com/eNTWu7qjh0
— Kathy J Ramsey (@kramsey54) November 26, 2022
“There may be a lot of information that could help this family have closure, and comfort during this difficult time,” the Democrat mentioned after Burkes’ dying was confirmed, based on Fox 26 Houston. “We want to ask people to continue help us find out what happened to Delano Burkes.”
Death Still Under Investigation As Burkes’ Widow Posts Heartbreaking Tribute On Instagram
Burkes is survived by his spouse, Autumn, who posted a tribute to her husband on Instagram. She had recognized him since age 13, the outlet reviews.
“There’s no words to express the devastating, deep pain that I feel at this moment,” the younger widow wrote on Instagram. “There’s so much life that was meant to live and so much love meant to give. You were the most gentle soul filled with strength and joy. Your smile carried me through my darkest moments and your humor got me through some of my lowest points.”
The case remains to be beneath investigation by the Houston Police Department’s murder unit – which is utilized in instances for a lacking individual’s dying.