Burned remains of father found

HENDERSON COUNTY — Deputies discovered burned human remains in a backyard barrel after a neighbor reported a strange odor, launching an investigation into a violent dispute between a Henderson County father and son. According to our news partner KETk and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, May 11, at around 8 p.m., officers were dispatched after a neighbor reported a strong, unusual odor and believed a body might be inside a burn barrel.

When deputies arrived, they found a brown barrel lying on its side containing burned human remains. Deputies searched the residence and located an individual in one of the bedrooms who said he did not know about the incident. The neighbors who contacted law enforcement told deputies that Johnny, the father, and Ronny Medford, his son, had been fighting the previous day and into the early morning hours of May 11. Ronny was later seen leaving the residence that morning, and Johnny had not been seen since. The reporting party also said Johnny had come to her home several times seeking help, fearing that Ronny would hurt or kill him.

During an interview, the individual found inside the residence said, “he heard Johnny and Ronny arguing, both verbally and possibly physically, on Saturday night. He further stated that afterward, Johnny apologized to him for having to hear the disturbance.”

He added that the residence remained “abnormally quiet” until around 9 a.m. on Sunday, when he saw Ronny shirtless at the kitchen sink, hurriedly washing his hands. Ronny reportedly told him that “they had the house to themselves now.”

While processing the scene, deputies found blood spatter on the walls, floor and appliances. Drag marks were also observed leading from the laundry room to the burn barrel.

A manhunt for Ronny lasted several days until he was located in the Dallas area on May 20 and arrested by U.S. Marshals. He was extradited back to East Texas and booked into the Henderson County Jail, where he remains held on a $2 million bond.