WALLER COUNTY, Texas – He was only 20 years old, a junior in college. Tristan Houston had his entire life ahead of him.
Family members described Houston as a quiet and trusting kid. They said they'll never understand how someone could take his life and then leave him in the woods for days.
"I just really want to thank God for allowing us 20 years to be with him," Houston's aunt, Jamie Dorsey, said.
His aunt and uncle are trying to stay strong.
"But you never think that it would end up like this. I'll miss him," Houston's uncle, Nathaniel Dorsey, said.
The Prairie View A&M student went missing Wednesday. He last spoke to his mom Tuesday night, asking her to pray for him.
"She got the worst news a mother could ever get," Nathaniel said.
His body was found in the woods in Waller County, two days after he was reported missing.
Another Prairie View A&M student, 19-year-old Ayinde Williams, has been charged with the death of Houston.
Dorsey said there may have been an altercation between the two students.
"I've heard everything from girl involvement (to) money involvement," Nathaniel said.
But he said nothing justifies this ending.
"He wouldn't hurt anybody. It just hurts my heart to know that sometimes when young people get together, they make bad decisions," Nathaniel said.
The news is taking such a toll on Houston's mother, that she was hospitalized moments after she found out.
"I just want to do it for her, but I can't. I just want everybody to know to have your kids make better decisions on who they hang around with," Nathaniel said.
Williams is being held on a $150,000 bail.
They also said several people were being interviewed.
In a Facebook post, the Waller County Sheriff's Office said:
"Waller County Sheriff's Office, Prairie View A & M University Police and Texas Rangers have cleared scene on Clear Creek, such a tragic end to a young life. There is 1 suspect in custody at this time and several being interviewed. No names are being released at this time, while the investigation continues. Keep family in your thoughts and prayers."
If you would like to help the family, click link to donate on Houston’s GoFundMe account.