A man with a history of alarming public disturbances, including a violent attack on a Dallas news station, has been arrested once again. Michael Chadwick Fry, 41, is facing charges of abuse of a corpse following an incident where he allegedly hurled human remains at an FBI field office. The disturbing act, which authorities state Fry filmed and disseminated online, has once again drawn significant public attention to his erratic behaviour.
The latest arrest occurred after Fry’s mother contacted police on March 16. She reported that her son had requested money to rent a U-Haul truck. When questioned about his intentions, Fry reportedly stated that he “had a body that needed to be moved,” according to a probable cause affidavit. This statement prompted his mother to alert law enforcement.
Shortly after this conversation, Fry’s sister contacted the police, informing them that her brother had posted a video on YouTube. The video allegedly depicted him throwing “Elizabeth’s remains” over the fence into the FBI Dallas office’s secure parking lot. The footage reportedly showed Fry tossing a large, sealed white bucket over the barrier.
Fry’s stated motive for this action was to pressure the FBI into investigating what he described as “wrongdoing by Denton County officials from a past arrest.” The FBI confirmed that the bucket contained numerous bones, which appeared to be human and are currently undergoing forensic analysis.
Further investigation revealed another YouTube video posted by Fry, this time showing what appeared to be a human skull at his Denton County residence. He allegedly referred to this skull as “Elizabeth Virginia Lyons,” leading investigators to suspect it was part of the same human remains found in the bucket. However, Denton police spokesperson Amy Cunningham clarified that Elizabeth Virginia Lyons is buried in a local cemetery, and her grave has not been disturbed.
Uncovering a Disturbing Pattern
The investigation into Fry’s recent activities unearthed a more extensive and disturbing pattern. His mother informed the police that she had discovered GPS search history on her vehicle indicating searches for cemeteries in Arlington, Texas, and two locations in Oklahoma City. She also noted the presence of a shovel at their home that had not been there previously, and that her son had begun locking a shed on their property, which was unusual behaviour for him.
Investigators subsequently learned that Fry had stolen an urn containing human remains from a cemetery in Oklahoma City, an act that was already under police investigation in that jurisdiction. Simultaneously, FBI agents discovered evidence at a cemetery in Denton suggesting that a coffin with human remains had been removed from a mausoleum. Reporters who visited the cemetery observed damage to the Magee mausoleum, which houses the remains of Jasper P. Magee and Mary Myrtle Wright, a couple who passed away in 1942 and 1940, respectively. The next of kin have been notified as the case remains active.
A History of Public Disruption
Authorities have confirmed that Michael Chadwick Fry is the same individual responsible for the 2018 incident where he drove a truck into a Dallas news station’s building. Security footage from that event captured Fry slowly approaching the building, stopping completely before accelerating and crashing head-on into the structure. The vehicle then reversed, dragging a large section of glass with it. The truck subsequently rammed another part of the building.
Upon arrival at the scene, police apprehended a man who was described as “ranting” while behind the wheel of the pickup truck. Fry was observed pacing and scattering numerous handwritten leaflets outside the building. Although he was unable to gain entry, he was arrested shortly thereafter. He did, however, leave behind a conspicuous bright orange duffel bag, which prompted police to establish a perimeter and call in a bomb squad as a precautionary measure.
Investigators later determined that Fry’s actions in 2018 were motivated by his distress over a 2012 police shooting that resulted in the death of his friend. A Dallas police spokesperson indicated that Fry’s intent was to gain media attention. During a subsequent court hearing, Fry offered an apology to the news station.
Fry’s criminal record extends beyond these high-profile incidents. He has accumulated numerous other arrests, most recently on March 20, 2022, for a criminal mischief charge stemming from an incident on October 26, 2021. According to records, Fry has been arrested a total of 28 times by various law enforcement agencies in Denton County, including the Sheriff’s Office, the Denton Police Department, and the Argyle Police Department, dating back to August 5, 2003. His prior charges encompass a wide range of offenses, including burglary, engaging in organized criminal activity, arson, theft, making terroristic threats, and resisting arrest.
Currently, Fry is being held on a surety bond of $300,000.
