Johnny Medford Obituary-Death – A homicide investigation is underway in Henderson County after authorities say an 84-year-old man was found dead inside his home and his son is now wanted in connection with the case.
According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, deputies were dispatched around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2026, to a residence on Rush Road in the Golden Oaks subdivision in the Payne Springs area after reports of a deceased person inside the home.
Deputies responded alongside investigators from the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers, who launched a joint investigation into the death.
When authorities arrived, they located 84-year-old Johnny Medford deceased at the residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later obtained a search warrant for the home from 392nd Judicial District Judge Scott McKee as officials processed the residence for evidence connected to the case.
During the investigation, authorities learned that Medford’s son, 63-year-old Ronny Medford, had reportedly been picked up from the home earlier in the day in a black SUV. Deputies immediately began efforts to locate him for questioning.
As investigators continued examining evidence recovered from inside the residence, officials said findings indicated that Ronny Medford is believed to have killed his father during an incident that remains under active investigation.
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Jamie Fawns conducted an inquest at the scene and ordered an autopsy to be completed by the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas to determine the official cause of death.
Authorities confirmed that Judge Scott McKee has since issued an arrest warrant for Ronny Medford on a murder charge.
On May 12, investigators also obtained an image of the SUV believed to have transported him from the residence following the incident. As of now, Ronny Medford remains at large, and law enforcement agencies continue actively searching for him.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to gather additional details surrounding the deadly incident.