The body of 84-year-old Johnny Medford was found at a home on Rush Road in the Golden Oaks neighborhood of Payne Springs on Monday, May 11, 2026, at around 8:30 p.m., shocking the Henderson County community in East Texas.
Deputies from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office discovered the elderly man dead inside the house when they arrived for the welfare check. After a search warrant was carried out, detectives found evidence that suggested foul play in what is now a homicide investigation.
During the investigation, authorities learned that Johnny Medford’s son, 63-year-old Ronny Medford of Payne Springs, had been picked up from the residence earlier that day in a dark-colored SUV. Attempts to contact Ronny regarding his father’s death led deputies to focus on him as the primary suspect. Evidence collected inside the home during the search supported the belief that Ronny Medford was responsible for his father’s death.
District Judge Scott McKee issued an arrest warrant charging Ronny Medford with the murder of his father. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has described Ronny as armed and dangerous and considers him a very violent individual. He was last seen leaving the scene in a dark-colored SUV or black minivan, and authorities have released images of the vehicle believed to have picked him up.
The Golden Oaks subdivision in the Payne Springs area of Henderson County is a residential community near Lake Palestine. The tragic patricide has left neighbors and the broader East Texas region in disbelief over the loss of an 84-year-old resident at the hands of his own son. Family and community members are grappling with the profound grief and the circumstances surrounding this family tragedy.
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from other agencies including the Texas Rangers, continues an active manhunt for Ronny Medford. No arrest had been reported as of May 14, 2026. Officials urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the sheriff’s office immediately or Henderson County Crime Stoppers.
This heartbreaking case has drawn significant attention across East Texas, highlighting concerns about elder safety and family violence. As the investigation proceeds, the community mourns Johnny Medford while hoping for a swift resolution and the apprehension of the suspect. Support continues for those affected by the sudden and violent loss in the Golden Oaks neighborhood.
