In the small town of Bronson, Texas, the life of 43-year-old Cody Ray Thompson was tragically cut short on February 22, 2026. The initial report of a shooting in Sabine County quickly escalated into a multi-state manhunt for the man believed to be responsible for Thompson's death.
Authorities were called to a residence where they discovered a pool of blood in the driveway, but neither a victim nor a suspect was present. Witnesses at the scene identified Todd Stevens, 36, also of Bronson, as the individual who had shot Thompson. According to their accounts, Stevens then forced Thompson into his own truck and fled the location.
The search for Thompson and his missing vehicle came to a grim conclusion when law enforcement in Chambers County, over 150 miles away, responded to a vehicle fire under a river bridge on Interstate 10. Inside the burned-out truck, which matched the description of Thompson's, they discovered human remains. The nature of the injuries found on the remains was consistent with the witness statements regarding the shooting.
A widespread manhunt for Todd Stevens was initiated, ultimately leading authorities to Oklahoma. There, after a search that spanned over 300 miles, Stevens was located hiding under a mattress and taken into custody. He is awaiting extradition back to Sabine County to face charges related to the death of Cody Thompson. A memorial service for Thompson was scheduled for early March at the Starr Funeral Home Chapel in Hemphill, Texas.
