HOUSTON, TX — Dr. Candice Matthews is demanding answers after families in Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens say they are still living with sickness, death, and uncertainty despite past promises of legal action connected to alleged Union Pacific contamination.

During an exclusive interview in northeast Houston, Dr. Matthews spoke with the great-grandson of an elderly Fifth Ward resident battling cervical cancer. He described generations of residents, relatives, classmates, and neighbors who have either died or become seriously ill, including cases of cancer and unexplained illnesses.

Dr. Matthews questioned why residents have not been relocated and pointed to a 2022 notice of intent to sue announced while Christian Menefee served as Harris County Attorney. According to Dr. Matthews, after her legal team searched federal court records and could not locate a filed lawsuit connected to the intended-to-sue letter issued by Menefee in 2022, serious questions began to arise within the community regarding what actions, if any, were actually taken.

“Where is the lawsuit?” Dr. Matthews asked. “These families were told action was coming, but what they keep seeing is nothing but death.”

The family member said many in the community believed help was coming after public statements were made, but years later, they feel abandoned.

Dr. Matthews said the community deserves transparency, accountability, and immediate action for families who continue to live in an area tied to serious contamination concerns.