U.S. Marshals have joined in the search for a murder suspect who removed his ankle monitor and failed to show up for his trial in Kaufman County on Monday, according to the county sheriff.
Authorities are searching for Trevor Rhey McEuen, who is accused of fatally shooting his neighbor, Aaron Martinez, in May 2023, The Dallas Express reported. However, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office suspended a local manhunt for the suspect on Monday afternoon, as officials believe the suspect has left the area.
McEuen was out of jail on house arrest after posting a $2 million bond despite previously violating the terms of his original bond. He was reportedly staying at a family member’s home in Van Zandt County and wearing an ankle monitor while awaiting his trial date.
On Monday, just hours ahead of his expected court appearance, McEuen removed his ankle monitor and left the home, allegedly setting fire to a barn located on the property before he left.
“He did that, I guess thinking it would burn more than what it did,” Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers told NBC 5. “When the fire department got there and got everything put out, that’s when we found his ankle monitor, his cell phones, and stuff in there, and he wasn’t in there.”
McEuen also reportedly sent his mother a text message early Monday morning indicating that he wanted to harm himself.
Beavers said that someone may be helping McEuen evade arrest, Fox 4 KDFW reported. He expressed concern about the suspect’s state of mind and the possibility that he could commit further violence.
“I don’t know the mindset of this guy,” Beavers said, per NBC 5. “If you think you’ve seen him, I need help. We need the community’s help to get him off the street.”
However, the public is urged not to confront McEuen, but instead report any sighting of the suspect to 911. Anyone with information about the missing suspect is asked to contact the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office at 469-376-4500 or Kaufman County Crime Stoppers at 877-847-7522. There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to McEuen’s arrest.