HOUSTON — Houston homicide detectives are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in the jaws of an alligator Tuesday morning.
It happened in the Clear Lake area, and on Wednesday, a day after the discovery, KHOU 11 News obtained police dispatch audio from the moments the officers made the gruesome discovery.
The alligator and the woman's body were found in Horsepen Bayou and police said it's still too early to rule out foul play.
A small bouquet was placed on the bridge that crosses over the bayou. It's the only remaining sign that something terrible happened there.
"God bless the lady who lost her life. God is by her side."
That's what the hand-written message says.
Police said the woman's husband reported her missing Tuesday morning. He told them she had been gone since 7:30 p.m. Monday when she went on a walk and never came home.
The first audio recording from police was taken just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday when the police were out at the bayou searching for her.
They eventually found her about an hour later -- her remains in the jaws of an alligator. That's when officers called for backup in the form of a high-powered rifle.
Officers ultimately killed the gator and a dive team recovered the woman's remains. Now, it's up to police to determine exactly what happened.
One of the questions investigators are trying to answer is if the gator attacked and killed the woman or if she was already dead when it found her. Police said they're waiting on autopsy results to determine how she died before they jump to conclusions.