Latest news with #GrimesCounty
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sex offender fugitive found in Grimes County, in critical condition
AUSTIN, Texas (KIAH) – A registered sex offender has escaped custody again, this time from a hospital in Austin. Investigators say McArthur Deashy Mathis kicked open a door and scaled a six-foot fence to flee from a medical facility where he was being held. The Grimes County Sheriff said Mathis had been transferred to that hospital following another inmate's escape from a North Harris County hospital in March. Authorities are now searching for Mathis.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Search continues for sex offender who escaped Austin psych hospital
The Brief A manhunt is underway for McArthur Mathis, a Grimes County inmate with a violent history, who escaped from Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction hospital in Austin. Mathis, who was at the hospital for a mental health evaluation after a suicide attempt, reportedly broke a door and jumped a fence to escape. Authorities consider Mathis armed and dangerous and a registered sex offender, and this is the second such hospital escape for a Grimes County inmate in less than three months. GRIMES COUNTY, Texas - The manhunt continues for a Grimes County inmate who escaped the Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction hospital in Northeast Austin. Grimes County officials are warning that the convict has a history of violence. What we know McArthur Mathis was arrested by Grimes County Sheriff's Office on January 2 for several warrants out of Victoria, Texas and additional charges in Grimes County, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, burglary and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury to a family member. According to the sheriff's office, Mathis was subjected to a mental health evaluation after he was found harming himself. He was taken to Austin's Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital on May 21, and escaped on Wednesday night. What they're saying "This guy is not to be taken lightly. He's got a history of violence, so definitely be cautious", says Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell. "He was attempting a suicide here at our facility," said Sowell. He was taken to Austin's Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital on May 21 and escaped on Wednesday night. "We still haven't heard a thing about why he escaped, how he escaped, other than the fact that he was able to allegedly break the door down and jump the fence," said Sowell. This is reportedly the second time in less than three months that a Grimes County inmate has broken out of a hospital. In March, an inmate escaped from the Cypress Creek Behavioral hospital in Northwest Houston. He was taken into custody after being spotted at a Whataburger. "He knew he was going to be incarcerated a while. I guess he took advantage of an opportunity, like the other one did in Houston", said Sowell. The sheriff's office says Mathis is considered armed and dangerous and is a registered sex offender. He was last seen wearing a navy-blue shirt and teal pants. "We sent him there in good faith for the mental health caseworker to get him some psychiatric help on the suicide attempt. I'm, like I said, I'm real concerned about the well-being of these places that can't seem to keep them incarcerated safely. I'll have to observe this for the next time. It won't be Houston. It won't be Austin anymore," said Sowell. What you can do Anyone with information on Mathis's whereabouts is urged to contact the Grimes County Sheriff's Office at 936-873-2151, Grimes County Crimestoppers at (936) 873-2000 or All callers will remain anonymous and anyone with information leading to an arrest will be eligible for a cash reward. The Source Information in this article came from the Grimes County Sheriff's Office and previous FOX 7 reporting.
Fox News
30-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Texas escaped inmate considered armed and dangerous after psychiatric hospital break
The Austin Police Department has issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert for an inmate who escaped while on hold at a psychiatric hospital in Texas. McArthur Mathis was transported to The Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital on Wednesday after being in custody in Grimes County since he was arrested Jan. 2 on multiple warrants. Mathis is also a registered sex offender. Mathis is facing multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury to a family member, obstruction or retaliation, deadly conduct and burglary of a habitation. Police say they responded to an urgent welfare call at around 10:30 p.m. and learned that Mathis had allegedly kicked the back door open and jumped over a 6-foot fence. Mathis could be attempting to return to known contacts in Grimes, Lavaca, Brazos or Gonzales counties, the department said. Police also said Mathis should be considered armed and dangerous due to his criminal history. Anyone with information on Mathis is asked to contact the Grimes County Sheriff's Office at 936-873-2151, Grimes County Crimestoppers at (936) 873-2000, or
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Shocking twist in tiny Texas town dispute as 'viagra-gobbling tyrant king' is found DEAD
The sex-obsessed, self-declared 'king' of a tiny Texas town has been found dead at his sprawling $30 million estate. George Coulam, better known as 'King George,' founded the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1974 and fashioned it into a two-month-long extravaganza that takes place every year in Todd Mission, 50 miles northwest of Houston. Coulam died on May 21, two weeks after he lost a $60 million court battle and was ordered to sell up the iconic festival. Grimes County Sheriff Donald Sowell immediately stated that there were no signs of foul play and that there was no threat to the community. On Wednesday, it was revealed that the 87-year-old died by suicide, according to Grimes County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Mark Laughlin. Coulam's death came shortly after a turbulent time in his life and a major setback in terms of his continued ability to run the festival that enjoyed its 50th anniversary last year. At least since last summer, Coulam has expressed a desire to retire from running the festival. An HBO documentary revealed this was because he wanted to have more time to focus on art, gardening and 'chasing p****'. Throughout the series, Coulam also talks about how much Viagra he takes and his desire to die with an erection. He even specified that he wanted to find 'a nice thin lady between 30 and 50 years old'. At some point, Coulam changed his mind because he decided not to relinquish control after all. The only problem was, he already agreed to sell all the faire's assets in 2023 to a group of investors. The investors — RW Lands, Texas Stargate, and Royal Campground — claimed that Coulam backed out after he received a down payment and closing costs from the trio. They said he ultimately failed to comply with the closing process, which was supposed to wrap up by August 8, 2023. They launched a $60 million lawsuit against the embattled king, who vigorously defended himself in court. The nearly two-year legal battle came to bitter end in early May, with a Grimes County judge ruling against Coulam and awarding ownership of the faire to the plaintiffs. Coulam was ordered to go through with the original deal, plus pay over $23 million in damages to the three companies who bought the faire. He was dealt yet another blow earlier this month, when he was defeated in a general election to be the mayor of Todd Mission by challenger Stephen Messing. Coulam had been the first and only mayor of Todd Mission, a town with just 121 people in it, since it was incorporated in 1982. Despite Coulam's tragic end and the lawsuit, the festival's organizers have pledged that the 2025 season will continue as planned. 'We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of George Coulam. Like everyone else who loves the Texas Renaissance Festival, we remain committed to ensuring that the festival lives on,' said Meril Rivard, president of Texas RF, Inc., in a statement. This year, it is scheduled to happen over eight weekends in October and November. Coulam will still loom large over the 2025 festival, as his mansion, Stargate Manor, still sits in the center of the 200 acres of land where the annual event takes place. The regal abode features a throne room, a gilt-adorned bedroom filled with 'regalia' and a custom, gold-plated golf cart. The grounds also feature a cathedral built for Coulam's personal use. The festival draws about half a million people each year to eat turkey, set up campsites and watch jousting competitions. It bills itself as the nation's largest Renaissance event and more, with a village filled with themed performances, foods, and displays. Coulam has previously expressed a desire to see his estate turned into a museum upon his death which will be open to the public.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Who art thou owners? The Texas Renaissance Festival has to pay $22 million in damages in dispute over purchase
King George's reign has come to an end. In Texas. At a Renaissance Festival. A Grimes County judge ruled this week that the Texas Renaissance Festival — the largest in the country in terms of attendance numbers — must be sold after its owner, George Coulam — known to his workers and visitors as King George — backed out of a sale. In addition to selling the festival, Coulam will have to pay $22 million in damages to plaintiffs RW Lands, Inc., Texas Stargate, Inc., and Royal Campground, Inc, Houston Public Media reports. He reportedly originally agreed to sell the festival property, an adjacent property, and the festival's assets to the group for $60 million in 2013. The parties agreed to an August 8, 2023 closing date, but learned the day before that Coulam was apparently preparing to back out of the deal, according to the lawsuit. Coulam reportedly ignored the closing date and the sale. 'Indeed, the Aug. 8, 2023 closing date came and went without the defendants complying with their closing obligations,' the lawsuit says. The plaintiffs sued him for breach of contract, arguing that an initial payment they had made required Coulam to uphold his end of the agreement. Coulam was the subject of a 2024 Max docuseries titled "Ren Faire" that followed the 86-year-old Coulam's search for love on dating apps while also toying with underlings vying to take over the festival at his retirement. Even though King George will abdicate his throne, his kingdom will live on — just under new ownership. According to the Texas Renaissance Festival's representatives, the event will continue for its 2025 season "and beyond." "The commitment will remain unchanged: to deliver a safe, vibrant, and memorable experience for the hundreds of thousands of guests who visit each year. Festival operations are moving forward as planned for the 2025 season and beyond," a post on its social media said. The festival just celebrated its 50th season at the end of 2024, drawing more than half a million visitors during its Golden Birthday.
