Human Remains Found in Burned Vehicle Under Trinity River Bridge Linked to Sabine County Shooting

CHAMBERS COUNTY, Texas – Human remains were discovered inside a burned vehicle late Sunday night beneath the Trinity River Bridge, prompting an investigation now connected to an earlier reported shooting in Sabine County, according to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were dispatched at approximately 10:05 p.m. to a vehicle fire on the west bank of the Trinity River. After emergency crews extinguished the flames, deputies located human remains inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Detectives immediately launched a death investigation and later identified a possible connection to a shooting reported earlier that evening on Bronson Cemetery Road in Sabine County. Investigators located a social media post issued by the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office describing an incident in which Todd Stevens, 36, of Bronson, allegedly shot Cody Thompson, 43, of Burkeville, before fleeing in Thompson’s vehicle.

Authorities said the burned vehicle discovered in Chambers County matches the description of Thompson’s truck, identified as a 1990s model Chevrolet extended cab pickup.

The identity of the deceased individual found in the vehicle has not yet been confirmed.

The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with Sabine County investigators as the search for Stevens continues. Stevens currently has active felony warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon related to the reported shooting, and officials said additional charges may be filed as the investigation progresses. Authorities added that Stevens is also expected to face charges in Chambers County.

Anyone with information regarding Stevens’ whereabouts is urged to contact the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office or the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.