Bodies of 3 Brothers Recovered at Lake Houston

HOUSTON -- Something went terribly wrong during a family fishing trip Sunday and three brothers ended up dead.

[Raw video from the scene ]

A fisherman spotted the bodies just after 10 a.m. Monday in the Big Eddie Tributary that flows into Lake Houston.

Homicide investigators were called to the scene, but said there were no signs of foul play and the cause of death appeared to be accidental drowning.

The brothers, ages 21, 16 and 14, were fishing from the shore. The younger ones were visiting their brother from Mexico and had just arrived here five days ago.

Police believe one of them probably went into the water first.

“One of them -- by clothing found on the bank -- went into the water voluntarily," said HPD investigator Kese Smith. "Not sure why the others followed him.

”
None of the brothers could swim, according to relatives.

“This is the first time he didn’t bring me fishing. He always brings me everywhere," said Anita Venegas, choking back tears. She's married to the oldest of the three brothers.

“Just being with him, everything about him, I’m gonna miss," Venegas said.

A relative said the three left to go fishing early Sunday and were supposed to check in with family members that afternoon.

Their sister showed up to surprise them Sunday afternoon. She found their truck, but no sign of her brothers. She called Venegas.

“First, I thought they were in the woods, then I told her to call the cops and say you can’t find them," Venegas said.

Family members and police searched until late into the evening Sunday, but didn't find anything.
Relatives said the three young men didn't normally fish in the area where their bodies were found.

Monday afternoon, Venegas was still trying to figure out how to tell her young daughter that her father wouldn't be coming home.

“She’s gonna miss her father," she said. "She’s gonna be asking for him."