Police made a disturbing find beneath a grandmother’s floorboards—what was it hiding?
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What started as a quiet tip led to a major law enforcement operation—and ended with a chilling discovery beneath a home in rural Texas.
The twisted scene left officers stunned—and a grieving family one step closer to justice.
Trevor McEuen, 33, had vanished on May 5 after cutting off his court-ordered ankle monitor and skipping trial for the execution-style murder of his neighbor, Aaron Martinez.
A $30,000 reward had been offered for information leading to McEuen’s arrest, and his name was added to Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list.
That trail eventually led officers to a rural property in Van Zandt County, about 65 miles east of Dallas—his grandmother’s home.
More than 30 officers from local, state, and federal agencies surrounded the home around 11 p.m. Sunday night.
"We got our team together to execute," said Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers. "It took us a little longer than we wanted. He didn't want to come out."
After hours of attempts—including tear gas—officers discovered a scuttle hole McEuen had carved into the floorboards. Beneath it: a mud-covered fugitive hiding in a crawl space.
McEuen initially resisted arrest, even as law enforcement filled the space with gas. "So we talked and talked, surrounded and talked, then finally used a little tear gas. And we couldn't find him. Then we went boots on the ground inside the house," Beavers said.
He now faces a stack of charges:
The Martinez family, who had long expressed fears he might flee, is now breathing a cautious sigh of relief.
"This person has done some very heinous things and needs to be put in jail," said Beavers. "And the Martinez family needs justice finally. We've got him in custody. I think he's gonna get to see justice."
Martinez’s father, Salvador, told CBS News: "Don’t let him out again. He’s not supposed to get another chance at bond."
McEuen had already been released once—on a $1 million bond—despite warnings from the family and prosecutors.
He had allegedly posted photos of Martinez and his relatives on Instagram while out on bond.
His lawyer, Abigail Spain, has since indicated a change of venue request is likely. “This has been such a hot-button topic in Kaufman County,” she said. “We just want to make sure that our client gets an unbiased jury.”
Meanwhile, authorities are investigating whether McEuen had help while on the run.
The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office says the case remains active, and the Martinez family has asked that, if necessary, prosecution be transferred to another jurisdiction to ensure a fair and swift outcome.
Also read:
What do you think—should fugitives like McEuen ever get bail again? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
The twisted scene left officers stunned—and a grieving family one step closer to justice.
Trevor McEuen, 33, had vanished on May 5 after cutting off his court-ordered ankle monitor and skipping trial for the execution-style murder of his neighbor, Aaron Martinez.
A $30,000 reward had been offered for information leading to McEuen’s arrest, and his name was added to Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list.
That trail eventually led officers to a rural property in Van Zandt County, about 65 miles east of Dallas—his grandmother’s home.
Trevor McEuen had vanished on May 5 after cutting off his court-ordered ankle monitor and skipping trial for the execution-style murder of his neighbor. Image source: CBS TEXAS / YouTube
More than 30 officers from local, state, and federal agencies surrounded the home around 11 p.m. Sunday night.
"We got our team together to execute," said Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers. "It took us a little longer than we wanted. He didn't want to come out."
After hours of attempts—including tear gas—officers discovered a scuttle hole McEuen had carved into the floorboards. Beneath it: a mud-covered fugitive hiding in a crawl space.
McEuen initially resisted arrest, even as law enforcement filled the space with gas. "So we talked and talked, surrounded and talked, then finally used a little tear gas. And we couldn't find him. Then we went boots on the ground inside the house," Beavers said.
He now faces a stack of charges:
- Capital murder
- Four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Arson
According to police, McEuen had fired up to 30 rounds into Martinez’s head during the 2023 shooting.
The Martinez family, who had long expressed fears he might flee, is now breathing a cautious sigh of relief.
"This person has done some very heinous things and needs to be put in jail," said Beavers. "And the Martinez family needs justice finally. We've got him in custody. I think he's gonna get to see justice."
Martinez’s father, Salvador, told CBS News: "Don’t let him out again. He’s not supposed to get another chance at bond."
McEuen had already been released once—on a $1 million bond—despite warnings from the family and prosecutors.
He had allegedly posted photos of Martinez and his relatives on Instagram while out on bond.
His lawyer, Abigail Spain, has since indicated a change of venue request is likely. “This has been such a hot-button topic in Kaufman County,” she said. “We just want to make sure that our client gets an unbiased jury.”
Meanwhile, authorities are investigating whether McEuen had help while on the run.
The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office says the case remains active, and the Martinez family has asked that, if necessary, prosecution be transferred to another jurisdiction to ensure a fair and swift outcome.
Also read:
- The tragic betrayal: Georgia man sentenced to life for wife’s murder after 18-month manhunt
- Authorities are on high alert: How a “dangerous” inmate vanished without a trace
