Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Texas: No bodies found after 'psychic' tip

Ap
Wednesday 08 June 2011 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Police who raided a farm in Texas where a woman claiming to be a psychic said many bodies were buried found no evidence of even a single killing.

Captain Rex Evans, of Liberty County sheriff's department, said there was no sign of any bodies on the property, near Hardin, 70 miles north-east of Houston. Officials have switched the investigation to the self-styled psychic, who had said many corpses, including those of children, were at the house.

A quick search on Monday night had turned up nothing. But the tipster called back on Tuesday morning to say deputies had the wrong house. The officers did find blood on a back door and detected a foul odour coming from the house, leading to the search warrant. But the blood was explained by an apparent attempted suicide at the house two weeks previously, and the smell was attributed to rubbish.

Joe Bankson, a lorry driver, told The Houston Chronicle that he and his family had lived at the house for three years. "I haven't killed anybody," said Mr Bankson, 44, who was reached by the newspaper while on the road in Dallas. "And I have a lot of friends, but I haven't helped anybody bury any bodies."

On Tuesday, news outlets and Twitter had claimed that up to 30 dismembered bodies had been found. They later apologised.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in