A manhunt in Van Zandt County for a Kaufman County murder suspect on the loose has been suspended after authorities concluded the man is no longer in the area.
Law enforcement officials launched a search for Trevor Rhey McEuen, 30, after he removed his court-ordered ankle monitor early Monday morning and failed to appear for his 8 a.m. trial for murder in Kaufman County that same day. McEuen, who had been staying with relatives in their home in Van Zandt County while awaiting trial, allegedly set the house on fire before leaving the premises, according to the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, per Fox 4 KDFW.
The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies, searched along U.S. Highway 80 east of Grand Saline after receiving a tip that McEuen might be in the area, according to a report by inForney.com. By Monday afternoon, the search was suspended as authorities believed McEuen had left the area.
“I think he’s been planning this from day one when he got out. He’s got nothing to lose. Our next step now is we are looking at whatever digital evidence there is. We are using every piece of equipment and technology there is,” said Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers, per Fox 4.
Beavers also announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to McEuen’s arrest.
McEuen faces capital murder charges in the May 1, 2023, shooting death of his neighbor, 35-year-old Aaron Martinez, in Forney. Martinez was found shot multiple times in his pickup truck on Neal Road. Deputies responding to the crime scene reportedly spotted McEuen driving away and pursued him until he stopped his vehicle nearby. McEuen was arrested following a SWAT standoff, after which he admitted to the killing, authorities said.
Martinez’s family expressed frustration and fear after hearing of McEuen’s disappearance, as they had previously warned authorities that McEuen’s release on electronic monitoring was insufficient.
“They said they had everything in their hands, he was monitored, no way he could flee,” Elisandra Martinez, Aaron’s sister, told CBS 11. “He proved everyone wrong. Now we want him to be found.”
The family has long maintained that Martinez’s killing was a hate crime, citing prior incidents where McEuen allegedly harassed Martinez, a Hispanic man, and told him Hispanics were not welcome. Incident reports from July 2022 documented Martinez’s concerns about McEuen pointing a gun at him, firing at his property, and threatening his employees.
McEuen’s history includes multiple bond violations. Initially arrested in May 2023 with a $2 million bond, he was released after a reduction hearing. In November 2023, a grand jury indicted him for capital murder, and he was arrested again. On September 6, 2024, he was released on a $1 million bond with restrictions, including no contact with Martinez’s family.
Five days later, McEuen allegedly violated his bond by posting pictures of Martinez and his relatives on Instagram and threatening to shoot Martinez’s uncle, leading to his re-arrest on a $2 million bond. He posted bond again in mid-December 2024.
Authorities have not confirmed whether McEuen is armed or how he removed his ankle monitor at 5:33 a.m. on Monday. They are also unsure of whether he fled on foot or by vehicle.
Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Wiley urged the public to assist in locating McEuen, stating, “Your assistance is vital to ensuring community safety and aiding law enforcement in locating and apprehending the fugitive,” Fox 4 reported.
Van Zandt County Sheriff Kevin Bridger emphasized, “Our number one priority is the safety of all citizens of Van Zandt County. We are working diligently with our partner agencies to ensure the safety of all our citizens.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office at 469-376-4500 or Kaufman County Crime Stoppers at 877-847-7522. Residents are urged not to approach McEuen and to report sightings to 911.