Workers have not returned since human remains were found along a fence line at a residential construction property, neighbors said.
HOUSTON, Texas — Construction has stopped at a residential development site in Houston’s Third Ward after workers found partial human remains along a fence line, bringing police investigators to a block where older homes had recently been cleared for new housing.
The remains were found Friday, Sept. 18, near Winbern and Live Oak streets. Houston police said officers responded to 2602 Winbern St. at about 7:10 p.m., searched the property and located what they believed to be skeletal remains. The person’s identity, gender and cause of death had not been determined as of Wednesday.
The discovery interrupted redevelopment already underway on the property. Chaz Knox, who lives across the street and told ABC13 he has spent his entire life on Winbern Street, said three houses on the site had been cleared months earlier. Construction for future patio homes had begun before the remains were found.
Knox said he saw two police vehicles and officers searching with flashlights after authorities arrived. He said investigators focused much of their attention along the back fence line and remained in the area for hours. The police activity initially gave him no indication that human remains had been discovered.
Neighbors told ABC13 that construction crews had not returned to the property after Friday’s discovery. Houston police have not announced how long the work site may remain inactive, and authorities have not said whether the construction itself led to the remains being exposed or simply resulted in workers noticing them.
The discovery adds uncertainty to a property already undergoing visible change. What had been a group of houses was being prepared for new residential construction, according to Knox. Police have not established any connection between the former structures, the redevelopment project and the unidentified person whose remains were found there.
Investigators also have not said how long the remains may have been at the site. No identity has been released, and police have not said whether detectives have connected the remains to an existing missing-person case. There has been no official determination that the death involved criminal activity.
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is responsible for verifying the person’s identity and determining the cause of death. Those findings could give detectives information needed to establish a timeline and determine whether a broader criminal investigation is warranted. Police have not announced when those results might be available.
For residents familiar with the block, the police search brought an unexpected turn to a site they had watched transition from older houses to new construction. The investigation remains open while authorities await forensic results, and Houston police have asked anyone with information to contact the Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.
Author note: Last updated September 23, 2026.