The man arrested for manslaughter over the death of boxer Hannah Rapp has a long history of arrests including for gun and driving offenses, it has emerged.
The American boxer died after she was hit by a car in Texas on Saturday, with the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office saying the 26-year-old was cycling on a highway when she was passed by a car which suddenly came to a stop and then reversed into her.
Rapp was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital where she later passed away from her injuries.
The driver, who authorities have named as 31-year-old Charles Medina, has been arrested on charges including manslaughter.
NBC reports that, according to the probable cause statement, Medina told officers he believed the cyclists were ‘trying to flag him down’ so he ‘stepped on his brakes which caused them to lock up before coming to a stop.’
He also claimed that, while reversing at 15mph, he did not see Rapp ‘until the last moment before he hit her.’
But, as first revealed by ESPN, jail records show that Medina has a long history of run-ins with the police dating back to his teens.
The Texas man arrested over the death of boxer Hannah Rapp has a long history of arrests
Rapp received treatment at the scene before she later passed away in hospital in Texas
Charles Eric Medina
He was first arrested in Brazos County in 2012 for reckless driving and evading arrest. Medina reportedly pleaded guilty in both cases.
Since then, the 31-year-old has been detained a dozen times including in 2014 – for reckless driving – and 2020, when he was accused of hit and run. It is not immediately clear how those cases ended. Medina was arrested again in 2024 for deadly conduct in the discharge of a firearm. According to reports at the time, the authorities responded to reports of a man – identified as Medina – ‘chasing vehicles with an axe and a knife.’ Officers are said to have found him in his yard with a handgun. Medina then fired several shots into the air. After what the sheriff described as a ‘short standoff,’ he was taken into custody. That case reportedly remains open.
Following Rapp’s death, the authorities released a statement on the tragedy. ‘Investigators learned that the driver of the vehicle… had passed two bicyclists traveling along FM 159. After passing the bicyclists, Mr. Medina stopped his vehicle, reversed, and struck one of the cyclists,’ the Sheriff’s Office statement said.
‘Despite lifesaving efforts, she later passed away at the hospital. At this time, investigators believe this was an isolated incident.’
Rapp had enjoyed a burgeoning career in the ring and challenged for the WBC women’s featherweight title on June 13, losing to Tiara Brown in Orlando. Her professional record read eight wins, one draw and one loss.
Jake Paul, her promoter, tweeted: ‘Gone too soon. Condolences to her entire clan. RIP warrior, Hannah Rapp.’
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement: ‘She was an exceptional boxer, but above all, an invaluable member of our boxing family.’
Rapp’s former rival Brown labelled her the ‘best dance partner I have ever faced as a pro’ and revealed how Rapp had asked for her autograph before their bout.
‘It filled my heart because we were getting ready for war, yet she was still asking for my autograph,’ said Brown. ‘We fought a great fight. It was my honor to share the ring with her.’
Jake Paul, Rapp’s promoter, tweeted: ‘Gone too soon. Condolences to her entire clan’
Rapp, from Indiana, turned professional in 2024 and had competed in athletics before turning her attention to boxing. During training, she maintained a full-time job as a fire and life safety inspector.
A GoFundMe has also been launched to help her family cover the costs of funeral expenses.
‘A beloved daughter to Angie and James, sister to Tanner and Maggie, a friend to everyone she met, and an inspiring boxing athlete,’ the tribute read.
‘Hannah was resilient. She was brave and insightful, always pushing others to do their best. She loved her family so incredibly much, and moving from Indiana to Texas meant distance for her friends and family.
‘Hannah was an inspiration. Even on her hardest days, she continued to bring love, laughter, and light into the lives of others.’
The GoFundMe page has already received more than 230 donations totaling more than $22,000.
