Carol E. Flood, a 62-year-old Black female, was found dead on October 10, 2010, in Houston, Texas. Her body was discovered partially nude in a stairwell behind the old YMCA building at 1600 Louisiana Street. She had been strangled with a ligature, and her neck showed signs of swelling and streak marks consistent with strangulation. Authorities reported that she had been living on the streets for years and was known to frequent the Houston Public Library. When she could afford it, she would watch movies at the Edwards Greenway Palace Theater, where she was last seen on October 9 watching a triple feature.
Carol E. Flood was one of three women whose deaths raised concerns about a possible serial killer operating in downtown Houston. All three victims—Flood, Retia L. Long and Raquel A. Mundy —were found strangled within a few months of each other and in close proximity to one another. Flood and Long were both homeless and found within blocks of each other, while Mundy, though not homeless, was found near a homeless shelter. Mundy had reportedly accepted a ride from a stranger after her car was towed and was later found nude from the waist down in a vacant lot.
Investigators noted similarities in the cases, including the method of death and the victims' locations, prompting speculation about a serial offender. However, Houston police stated that there was no conclusive evidence linking the cases to a single suspect. DNA testing was underway at the time, but results had not yet confirmed a connection. No arrests were made in relation to Carol E. Flood's death, and authorities continued to seek public assistance, offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in each case.
Flood had been a client of Search Homeless Services, where she picked up mail and received government checks, though she reportedly did not cash them. Staff described her as someone who had previously worked for the state and expressed a desire to return to employment. Despite her circumstances, she maintained a routine and was known to sleep on benches along Main Street. Her death, along with those of Long and Mundy, sparked concern among homeless advocacy groups and law enforcement, who urged homeless women to avoid sleeping alone and remain vigilant.
