PROVIDENCE VILLAGE, Texas — A 26-hour hostage standoff in Denton County ended with a woman safely rescued and a suspect in custody after a large multi-agency response, authorities said.
Officers with the Aubrey Police Department were dispatched around 11:30 p.m. April 20, 2026, to the 12100 block of Thoroughbred Drive after a 911 caller reported holding two female hostages and threatened to shoot them if officers approached.
The caller, later identified as Michael David Miller, claimed to be armed with multiple weapons, including an incendiary device, before disconnecting the call.
When officers arrived, they observed a broken window at the residence and established a perimeter.
Police said Miller had previously been arrested March 18 at the same residence for aggravated assault involving one of the victims, 49-year-old Astasia Rebhan. He had been released April 11 on a $50,000 bond, and a protective order had been issued.
Around 1:16 a.m., a juvenile female exited the home and was taken into protective custody. She confirmed Miller was inside with her mother, Rebhan, and reported he was armed with multiple firearms and what she described as a “flamethrower.”
Officers began evacuating nearby homes as a precaution.
The Denton Police Department’s SWAT team responded and assisted with securing the scene, while hostage negotiators attempted to establish communication with Miller.
Authorities said Miller refused to negotiate and expressed a desire to provoke a “suicide by cop” scenario.
After approximately nine hours, additional assistance was requested from the McKinney Police Department’s SWAT team, which assumed operational command. The FBI also responded and provided additional negotiators and resources, including its Hostage Rescue Team.
Negotiations continued throughout the day, but Miller remained uncooperative.
After an extended period without communication, power to the home was cut, and the Hostage Rescue Team made entry into the residence.
Rebhan was safely rescued, and Miller was taken into custody.
Miller, born May 28, 1968, faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful restraint, aggravated kidnapping, burglary of a habitation and violation of bond and a protective order.
Authorities said he is being held at the Denton County Jail without bond on some charges and on a combined $4.5 million bond on others. Additional charges are possible.
Police credited numerous agencies for assisting in the response, including local police departments, the Denton County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI.
Officials also thanked community members who supported officers during the prolonged incident.
